KOTA KINABALU, Dec 6 — The Election Court here today dismissed a petition of Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Isnin Aliasneh to nullify the result of the 13th General Election (GE13) for the Klias state seat now held by Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).
Judge Datuk Yew Jen Kie said there was no evidence that Lajim, the respondent, had any knowledge or had allowed the distribution to voters in the constituency during GE13 RM50 cash and coupons that could be redeemed for RM100 cash should he win the seat.
She ordered Isnin to pay RM50,000 costs to Lajim.
Isnin told reporters afterwards that he would appeal against the decision of the court.
Overwhelmed by the court’s decision, Lajim was in tears as his supporters cheered him on outside the courtroom.
In the petition, Isnin named Lajim, the Sabah PKR chairman, as the first respondent and the returning officer for the seat, Jupari alias Jupty Etok, and the Election Commission (EC) as the second and third respondents, respectively.
However, on August 5, Yew ordered the EC and the returning officer for the seat to be removed as respondents on the grounds that the petitioner had failed to comply with provisions under the Election Offences Act.
Isnin filed the petition claiming that there were alleged corruption and irregularities during the election campaign.
He was represented by lawyers Jaapar Esteban, Rizuan M Borhan, Saiful Azian Mokhtar and Muamar Julkarnain in a hearing that was held from September 26 to October 4.
Lajim was represented by lawyers Datuk Chau Chin Tang and Datuk Lawrence Thien.
In the general election held on May 5 this year, Lajim won the seat with a majority of 179 votes. — Bernama
