Court orders by-election for Rantau state seat

Kamles Kumar Kamles Kumar Updated 5 years ago · Published on 16 Nov 2018 11:40AM · 7 Comments

Former Negri Sembilan menteri besar Mohamad Hasan won the Rantau seat without contest in GE14. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, November 16, 2018.

THE Seremban Election Court today ordered a by-election for the Rantau state seat after allowing PKR candidate Dr Streram Sinnasamy’s application that Election Commission was wrong to deny him to file his nomination papers in GE14.

Justice Azimah Omar made the ruling this morning, which means incumbent assemblyman, the former Negri Sembilan menteri besar Mohamad Hasan, would have to contest again.

“The court allows the election petition filed. Mohamad Hasan is not valid as Rantau assemblyman. 

“The first respondent (Mohamad) was not chosen legally. There should be a by-election held in Rantau,” she said in the decision.

Returning officer Amino Agos also needs to pay Streram RM30,000 cost.

Azimah also rapped Amino for preventing Streram from contesting. 

“His actions are unethical and do not have integrity. This is a violation of Stretam’s rights. 

“It violates his right as a candidate and voter.” 

However, the case might be subjected to an appeal in the Federal Court before a by-election is called. 

Mohamad retained the seat without contest when Streram did not file his nomination papers.

Dr Streram Sinnasamy says democracy is the winner after today's court decision. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, November 16, 2018.

Streram claimed he was denied entry to file his nomination papers in the May 9 general election.

On May 23, Streram filed his petition to nullify the EC’s decision to declare Mohamad the winner of the Rantau state seat.

Streram said returning officer Amino Agos Suyub and the EC had breached their statutory duty under the Election Offences Act, and that the results must be nullified and a by-election held.

Streram said he paid the deposit of RM5,000 to register as a candidate and another RM3,000 for campaign material on April 25.

At no time did the EC inform him that name tags or entry passes were needed for the candidate and his representatives to enter the nomination hall on April 28.

An overjoyed Streram said outside the courtroom the decision was a victory for democracy.

“I think I’m happy with the decision. Democracy has been restored. The judge clearly indicated every contender should be given a chance as a rightful citizen,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Mohamad said he would leave it to the lawyers to decide if they wanted to appeal or not. 

“I will discuss with my lawyer on the next step. I will discuss whether I should appeal or not,” he said.

Mohamad’s lawyer, Hafarizam Harun, said he will look into full grounds of judgment and has 14 days to decide. 

The Umno deputy president added that he would contest in Rantau again but ultimately, it is up to Barisan Nasional to decide. – November 16, 2018.

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Comments

  • verdict is out and ec to call the day but my bet it will be just like pd lots of players as to spoil the vote - hassan your mental is being tested here - lets see how you behave this time around - still want to ask hooligans gate crash?? but if you were to ask me to make it more colourful lets woo isa samad to content here LOL

    Posted 5 years ago by Teruna Kelana · Reply

  • Tok Mat will be crushed in the coming by election..

    Posted 5 years ago by Manfredd Ng · Reply

  • Hafarizam again! Hahahahahahaha.

    Posted 5 years ago by Antares Maitreya · Reply

  • Had BN won GE14, this cheating incident will be swept under the carpet

    Posted 5 years ago by Manfredd Ng · Reply

  • We want Amino to be jailed as well to be a lesson for every one who tries to obstruct justice.

    Posted 5 years ago by Sweesing lee · Reply

  • JUSTICE SEEN TO BE DONE Under BN n UMNO Rule there was NO JUSTICE AT ALL THANK GOD A TRILLION TIME BN n UMNO go to HELL for GOOD

    Posted 5 years ago by Tharan Singh · Reply

  • Amino shd be jailed so this dirty trick will not repeat in GE 15 . Malaysians want a CLEAN n FAIR ELECTIONS

    Posted 5 years ago by Tharan Singh · Reply