Election Court decision will affect PAS' chances in Kuala Terengganu by-election, says Umno

PETALING JAYA: Umno believes that the Election Court’s ruling to annul the GE15 result for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat will have an impact on PAS’ prospects in the upcoming by-election. According to Terengganu Umno information chief Datuk Nik Dir Nik Wan Ku, although PAS has chosen not to appeal the decision, the voters now have concrete evidence of the party’s illegal activities.

“The Election Court’s verdict has provided the people, especially the electorate, with proof that PAS engaged in money politics. This will inevitably affect the party’s standing,” he stated on Saturday (July 8).

Datuk Ahmad Amzad Hashim of PAS emerged victorious in the 15th General Election (GE15), securing a substantial majority of 40,907 votes for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat. Amzad defeated three other candidates, including Barisan Nasional’s Datuk Mohd Zubir Embong.

Regarding the possibility of fielding Mohd Zubir for the Kuala Terengganu by-election, Nik Dir emphasized that the decision would rest with the top leadership of the unity government.

“The circumstances have changed now. As part of the unity government, any decision regarding the candidate must be deliberated between the top leaders of both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan,” he explained.

On Saturday, lawyer Wan Rohimi Wan Daud, who represented Ahmad, announced that PAS would not appeal the Election Court’s verdict. The Terengganu Election Court had nullified Ahmad’s victory on June 27, following allegations of vote-buying.

Judge Mohd Firuz Jaffril stated that the court found that the petitioner, Mohd Zubir of Barisan Nasional, had successfully proven the occurrence of corrupt practices.

Petitions were filed by Terengganu Umno on January 3 at the Kuala Terengganu High Court to invalidate the GE15 results for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat, in line with the Election Offences Act 1954.

Terengganu Umno chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Said highlighted various points raised in the petition, including 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 last year, just days before the GE15.