NO CASE: Ling Biu (with both hands raised) and on his left, Alvin Yong jubilate over the decision. From far left are Pelawan assemblyman David Wong, Lanang MP Alice Lau and Ling Biu’s wife Tiong Mee Lang.
SIBU: The Sarikei parliamentary seat election petition case against Democratic Action Party (DAP) Wong Ling Biu was struck out by the High Court yesterday.
The petition to declare the election result void was filed by Barisan Nasional’s incumbent Ding Kuong Hiing under
Section 10(a), (c), (d), (e), and (f) and Section 11(1)(b), Sections 32(a), 34(c), 35(a) and (b) and 36 of the Election Offences Act 1954.
Justice Chew Soo Ho struck out the petition with cost of RM30,000 payable to respondent Ling Biu.
He concluded that the election petitions were non-compliant on several grounds under the Election Petition Rule (EPR) 1954, which were Rule 12 (1), Rule 3 (2), Rule 9, Rule 15(c), Rule 34 and Rule 9, Rule 4(1)(b), and Rule 4(2).
Ling Biu told reporters after the case that the result was expected as the petitioner could not relate the gambling syndicate to the election result.
“They could not pull me in to be related to this gambling syndicate, and I think it is a relevant judgement,” he said, thanking people who had supported him.
Ding meanwhile said he accepted yesterday’s ruling, nevertheless felt disappointed as the petition was struck out on technical grounds.
“We thought we have a good case. It would be good if we could go through the legal process,” he added.
He said he would keep going despite losing.
Ling Biu was represented by defence counsel Chong Siew Chang, Yap Hoi Leong and Alvin Yong, while Ding by Orlando Chua, David Kuok, and Peter Lau.
In the last election, Ling Biu defeated Ding by a slim majority of 504.
Sibu DAP chairman Wong Ho Leng, Sibu MP Oscar Ling, Lanang MP Alice Lau, and Pelawan assemblyman David Wong were among those present in court.
Supporters and comrades of Ding were also present.