Norman Kong, a Tok Batin from Kampung Pos Sinderut in Kuala Lipis, said Jelai assemblyman Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail had accused the two chiefs of being a no-show at the meeting on April 30 because they were “strong Pakatan Harapan supporters”.
“He (Rosdy) said he wanted to speak to Jakoa to sack them as Tok Batins,” he said, referring to the Department of Orang Asli Development.
“I passed his message to the two Tok Batins later,” he added in his witness statement today.
Norman is testifying in an election petition filed by DAP’s M Manogaran, who is seeking to nullify the results for the Cameron Highlands seat on grounds of massive vote buying.
The seat was won by MIC’s C Sivarraajh with a 597-vote majority in a five-way fight with candidates from DAP, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), PAS and Berjasa.
Rosdy meanwhile won the Jelai state seat, defeating PKR, PAS and PSM candidates with a 3,507-vote majority. The Jelai seat comes under the Cameron Highlands constituency.
Rosdy is also the current Pahang menteri besar.
Norman said the meeting on April 30 between the Orang Asli village chiefs and Rosdy and Sivarraajh was to distribute “duit rokok” (cigarette money).
He said Rosdy and Sivarraajh were using the money to fish for votes.
“They said ‘hidup dacing’ before handing us RM200 each in a school classroom,” he said, referring to BN’s logo.
When asked by Sivarraajh’s lawyer Hafarizam Harun whether the RM200 was financial aid for their daily expenses, Norman said no.
“If it was financial aid, my fellow villagers did not get what the other Tok Batin and I received,” he said.
“Besides, I don’t smoke. I spent the money on essential items and distributed some to my people.”
Norman said Sivarraajh and Rosdy had held another meeting with the Tok Batins on May 6, where the Orang Asli leaders were given RM300 each.
Hafarizam then asked Norman whether it was an Orang Asli custom to distribute money.
“Not during the campaign period,” Norman said. “And it is not right to bring money for campaigning.”
Another Orang Asli village chief, Harun Siren, told the court yesterday that the BN duo had handed out a total of RM2,100 to seven Tok Batins on May 6 to gain their support for the coalition ahead of polling day.
The hearing continues tomorrow before High Court judge Azizah Nawawi.