PAS man remains Kemaman MP as court throws out BN election petition

The Terengganu Election Court in Kuala Terengganu yesterday dismissed a petition filed by Barisan Nasional (BN) against Kemaman MP Che Alias Hamid, retaining the victory of the PAS representative in the 15th general election  last year. 

PAS law and human rights bureau secretary Ahmad Lufti Awang, in a statement, said judge Mohamad Abazafree Mohd Abbas also ordered petitioner Wan Mohamad Hisham Wan Abdul Jalil to pay Che Alias RM30,000 in costs.

He said in the online proceedings, Abazafree agreed with one of the four preliminary objection issues presented by the defence, related to facts contained in the petition to support the allegations of bribery and corruption in the election, as defective and invalid. 

He said this was because the seven official programmes organised by the Terengganu government - Bantuan i-Belia, i-Siswa and donation programmes for the disabled and asnaf groups – showed no evidence of bribery or kickbacks.

The court allowed Wan Mohamad Hisham to file an appeal to the Federal Court within 14 days. 

Che Alias was represented by lawyers Saifuddin Othman, Wan Rohimi Wan Daud and Mohd Nasir Embong.

Lawyers Hafarizam Harun, Abu Bakar Isa Ramat, Amin Othman, Mohamed Baharudeen and Norhazira Abu Haiyan, meanwhile, acted for Wan Mohamad Hisham.