Streram to amend statement of claim

KUALA LUMPUR: Dr S. Streram will amend his statement of claim in his suit against a returning officer for the Rantau seat and the Election Commission (EC) over misuse of power.

Lawyer Irzan Iswat Mohd Nor, who represented Streram, who was Pakatan Harapan’s candidate for Rantau, said the amendment would be made based on the outcome of the Election Court’s decision in Seremban that would be delivered on Nov 22.

“The court has fixed Jan 4 next year for case management for the amendment of the statement of claim and the defendants need to file their defence,” he said after the matter came up for case management before judicial commissioner Darryl Goon Siew Chye in chambers.

Streram, 63, had, on May 7, filed the suit, naming returning officer Amino Agos Suyub and the EC as defendants over the rejection of his nomination in the 14th General Election.

In his statement of claim, Streram said the defendants had failed to carry out their responsibilities under the Election Commission Act 1958, which had resulted in him being unable to contest in the state seat on April 28.

He alleged that on April 25, he had paid a RM5,000 deposit for his candidacy and RM3,000 to the Seremban EC office for campaign material.

Streram claimed he was not informed by the returning officer that a pass was needed to enter the nomination centre on April 28 (nomination day) and that he only knew about it on the evening of April 27.

Following the incident, he said he was not allowed to enter the nomination centre despite two attempts that were made to help him, but his nomination form was rejected as his proposer and the seconder did not have their EC passes to enter.

As a result, he claimed that Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan was declared the winner of the seat uncontested.

Streram is seeking RM5 million in general damages, RM2.6 million in exemplary damages, as well as special damages and other relief deemed fit by the court.