PETALING JAYA: PAS will not file an appeal against the Kuala Terengganu election court’s decision to nullify Perikatan Nasional’s victory in the Kemaman parliamentary seat in the 15th general election.
PAS’s decision will pave the way for another parliamentary by-election in the state after the Kuala Terengganu by-election was held on Aug 12.
In a statement, the party’s secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said the decision was made following a case management session today.
“PAS will decide on our next course of action after the Election Commission makes a decision on the matter (following the latest developments),” he said.
Takiyuddin also said election judge Anselm Charles Fernandis indicated that the verdict in the Kemaman election petition case was consistent with a previous ruling in the Kuala Terengganu election petition case and that there were “elements of corruption”.
On Sept 26, Fernandis ruled in favour of the petitioner, Wan Hisham Wan Abdul Jalil, in his bid to unseat Che Alias Hamid of PAS.
The court ruled that Wan Hisham had proven allegations of bribery by Che Alias beyond a reasonable doubt.
The court also ordered Che Alias to pay costs of RM30,000 to Wan Hisham.
Che Alias defeated Barisan Nasional’s Ahmad Said, Pakatan Harapan’s Hasuni Sudin and Pejuang candidate Rosli Abd Ghani in a four-cornered fight in GE15. He secured a 27,179-vote majority.
The election court in Kuala Terengganu previously struck out the election petition brought by Wan Hisham on grounds that it was defective.
However, the petition was reinstated by the Federal Court on the basis that there were issues which merited a full hearing.