Wee to defend polls result

MP ready to take matter to court after Liew challenges win in Ayer Hitam

PETALING JAYA: Ayer Hitam MP Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong will defend his election result in court following an election petition filed by Johor DAP chairman Liew Chin Tong.

Dr Wee, the returning officer and the Election Commission were named as respondents in the petition yesterday.

“I respect Liew’s right to challenge the poll result, and I will defend it in court,” Dr Wee said in his Facebook posting.

The MCA deputy president said on May 9 night, Liew had contacted him to concede defeat and congratulated him.

“I told him I could not make myself happy as many of my comrades in Barisan Nasional and MCA had lost,” he said.

Dr Wee said he and his lawyer were awaiting for the court docu- ments to respond to Liew’s petition.

Earlier yesterday, Liew, accompanied by his lawyer Datuk Yeo Yang Poh, filed the petition at the Johor Baru High Court.

Yeo, acting under pro bono, said he had been asked by Liew to check if there were sufficient grounds before filing the petition.

“There were several breaches of regulations and laws.

“We are asking the court to exam- ine these breaches and give its view whether the result ought to be reviewed, set aside and a fresh election held,” said Yeo.

Dr Wee retained his seat by a 303vote majority in a three-cornered fight.

Election petitions can be filed within 21 days after the election results are gazetted.

The result was gazetted on May 28.