Tok Mat accepts court’s decision
PUTRAJAYA: Acting Umno president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan accepted the Federal Court’s decision to dismiss an appeal against the Election Court’s decision to hold fresh polls for the Rantau seat.
“I accept the decision with an open heart. We must respect the law. I had long ago prepared in case a by-election is called,” he said outside the court here.
He said he had not expected such a verdict.
“Lawyers representing the Election Commission (EC) and I did their best, but the court has decided.
“I have to wait for the writ by EC on when nomination will be held.”
The court’s five-man bench, led by Chief Justice Tan Sri Richard Malanjum, unanimously decided on the dismissal of Mohamad and EC’s appeal yesterday.
The other judges were Datuk Seri David Wong Dak Wah, Datuk Alizatul Khair Osman Khairudin, Datuk Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and Datuk Rohana Yusuf.
The bench ordered EC and Mohamad to pay RM10,000 each in damages to Dr Streram.
Dr Streram was represented by four lawyers led by Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla, while Mohamad was represented by five lawyers led by Datuk Mohd Hafarizam Harun.
On Nov 29, Mohamad appealed against the decision of the Seremban Election Court to order a fresh by-election after allowing Dr Streram’s petition to nullify Mohamad’s victory.
Election Court judge Datuk Azimah Omar declared the result for the seat null and void after ruling that Mohamad was not duly elected as Rantau assemblyman.
She held that there was no election rule stating that an electoral candidate, proposer and seconder should have a tag or pass to submit the nomination form.
Dr Streram, who is an anaesthetist, was prohibited from entering the nomination centre on April 28 last year because he did not have an EC pass.
He filed the petition on May 23 to nullify Mohamad’s victory and seek a by-election.
He claimed that EC failed to inform him when collecting the nomination form and making the deposit payment that he needed a name tag or pass to enter the nomination centre on nomination day.
Dr Streram said he was happy with the decision.
“The decision has given me good spirit... democracy has been restored,” he said.
“Now we will wait for the Election Commission to announce the date of the by-election, and yes, I will contest again.”