A BY-ELECTION will be called for the Rantau state seat in Negri Sembilan, after the Federal Court upheld the election court’s decision against acting Umno president Mohamad Hasan.

The apex court ruled that it was wrong for the Election Commission to have barred PKR candidate Dr S. Streram from contesting in last year’s general election for not having a pass.  

Incumbent and Umno acting president Mohamad saw his appeal against a lower court ruling in November dismissed.  

In a ruling today, chief justice Richard Malanjum said Dr Streram had locus standi in his petition, and agreed with the election court in Seremban, which found no written law or requirement compelled him, his seconder, or proposers to have passes to enter the nomination centre.  

The EC and Mohamad were ordered to each pay RM10,000 in costs. 

Streram, 63, said he was never informed by the EC or its agents that entry passes were required to enter the Dewan Sri Rembau nomination centre.

Mohamad won the seat uncontested. Streram, who works as an anaesthetist, filed his petition on May 23 to nullify the EC’s decision to declare Mohamad the winner.

With today’s ruling, Barisan Nasional now has 15 state seats in Negri Sembilan, while Pakatan Harapan controls 20 state seats. PKR has six seats, DAP has 11, and Amanah has three. With exception to one seat controlled by MIC, Umno has the remaining 14 seats. 

Last November, election judge Azimah Omar ruled that Mohamad, who was formerly Negri Sembilan MB, was not duly elected and that there would have been a contest had Streram been allowed to file his nominations.

She said there was evidence that Streram, his proposer, and seconder were denied entry to the nomination centre.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said last November that Mohamad, 62, will be contesting again in Rantau. – February 18, 2019.