Court declares Wee as lawful Ayer Hitam MP

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court has declared MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong as the lawful Ayer Hitam MP.

Justice Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali allowed a preliminary objection by Dr Wee and dismissed the election petition brought by DAP’s Liew Chin Tong, who lost in the contest for the seat in the May 9 general election.

The judge said the petition did not specify facts to substantiate the claims of graft during the cam- paigning period.

“The petitioner must prove there is cause of action regarding its complaint and the failure to do so is serious.

“With this, I find that the respondent (Dr Wee) has succeeded in his preliminary objection.

“I therefore dismiss the petition and declare the respondent as the lawful MP,” Justice Mohd Nazlan remarked yesterday.

The court also ordered that RM10,000 in costs be paid to each of the respondents.

Dr Wee, who has been Ayer Hitam MP since 2004, said he was relieved with the decision.

“What is more important is that the court has refuted allegations that we won by doubtful votes.

“This decision has vindicated me of the accusations,’’ he told reporters later.

Dr Wee was represented by counsels Ng Chee Hor and Ang Boon Heng, while Zulhelmi Wagiman appeared for Returning Officer Mohd Hafiz Aliman and the Election Commission.

Liew, who was made a Senator and Deputy Defence Minister, was represented by Datuk Yeo Yang Poh.

In a statement issued later, he said he respected the court’s decision but was disappointed.

“The court has chosen to follow the more conventional approach towards election petitions specifically and election laws in general,’’ he said in congratulating Dr Wee.

Liew filed the petition on June 12 to challenge the election results, claiming several regulations had been broken during the campaigning period.

Named as respondents were Dr Wee, Mohd Hafiz and the EC.

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