KUALA TERENGGANU (Sept 26): The Election Court here has nullified Perikatan Nasional (PN) and PAS candidate Che Alias Hamid’s win in the Kemaman parliamentary seat.
This follows Election Court judge Datuk Anselm Charles Fernandes finding of elements of purported bribery in several official Terengganu government functions via the i-Belia and i-Siswa assistance programmes, which were handed to voters in the 15th general election.
Fernandes also directed Che Alias to pay RM30,000 in costs to Barisan Nasional (BN) petitioner Wan Mohamad Hisham Wan Abdul Hamid.
The outcome of the result was confirmed by Wan Mohamad Hisham’s lawyer Amin Othman, and Che Alias’ counsel Mohd Yusfarizal Mohd Yussof, when contacted by The Edge.
When asked if they intend to appeal, Mohd Yusfarizal said, “Insya’allah (God willing), we will file an appeal to the Federal Court.”
In May, a three-member Federal Court bench ordered the Kemaman election petition to go on trial after allowing Wan Mohammad Hisham’s appeal.
This follows the Election Court striking out the petition in February, before the apex court allowed BN’s appeal for it to be re-heard.
In the 15th general election, Che Alias defeated three candidates, including former Terengganu menteri besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said, who contested on a BN ticket.
Che Alias obtained 65,714 votes against Ahmad’s 38,535, while Pakatan Harapan’s Hasuni Sudin obtained 8,340 and Parti Pejuang Tanah Air’s Rosli Abd Ghani 506 votes, according to the Election Commission's website.
Should the decision be upheld by the apex court, a by-election would have to be held to fill the vacancy.