Feb 12 ruling on preliminary objection to Marang election petition: court

KUALA TERENGGANU – The Terengganu election court today fixed February 12 for the decision on a preliminary objection to an election petition to annul the general election result in the Marang parliamentary constituency.

In today’s proceedings, judge Datuk Hassan Abdul Ghani heard arguments from lawyer Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, representing Marang MP Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang (PAS), and lawyer Datuk Mohd Hafarizam Harun, representing petitioner Jasmira Othman (Umno).

The judge also asked the petitioner and respondent to submit additional arguments before February 6.

On January 3, Terengganu Umno filed a petition at the Kuala Terengganu High Court to annul the results of the Marang, Kuala Terengganu, and Kemaman parliamentary seats during the 15th general election (GE15), in accordance with the Election Offences Act 1954.

Terengganu Umno chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Said said among the points raised in the petition were allegations that PAS had bribed voters by distributing financial aid from the state government through the i-Pencen, i-Belia, and i-Siswa initiatives between November 15 and 17, 2022, which was just a few days before GE15.

In the federal polls, Hadi retained the Marang seat with a majority of 41,729 votes, defeating three other candidates, namely Jasmira of Barisan Nasional, Azhar Ab Shukur (Pakatan Harapan), and Zarawi Sulong (Pejuang). – Bernama, January 30, 2023