KOTA KINABALU: The Election Court here yesterday dismissed with costs an election petition filed by defeated Umno-BN candidate Isnin Aliasnih, who was seeking to nullify the result of the Klias state seat won by Datuk Seri Panglima Lajim Ukin of the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).
Kuching-based High Court judge Datuk Yew Jen Kie held in her reserved decision that Isnin had failed to satisfy with evidence or certainty that corrupt practice during campaign was allegedly committed by one Norliah, who was one of the PKR polling agents in Klias with the knowledge and consent of Lajim.
The petitoner, Isnin, who is also acting Umno division chief for Beaufort then, filed the petition on June 12 this year to challenge the validity of the result for the Klias state seat.
In his petition, Isnin named Lajim as the first respondent, Returning Officer (RO) for the Klias state seat election and the Election Commission (EC) as the second and third respondents.
However, the judge struck out the RO and EC as respondents, and ordered Isnin to pay cost of RM10,000 to the RO and EC.
The hearing commenced on September 26 this year and the petitioner had called six witnesses to testify in the trial while the respondent had called three witnesses.
Isnin was ordered to pay RM50,000 costs to Lajim.
The Klias State seat was won by Lajim who obtained 6,324 votes with a slim majority of 342.
Counsel Muammar Julkarnain, Japar Esteban, Saiful Aizat Mokhtar, Rizwadean Bukhari Borhan and Safrin Salleh Nain represented Isnin while Lajim was represented by counsel Datuk Chau Chin Tang and Datuk Lawrence Thien.
Meanwhile, Lajim, who appeared later, expressed gratitude to God, his lawyers and supporters in Klias.
Lajim, who felt happy with the decision, cried and said he would continue to work for the people.
As for Isnin, when met after the court’s decision, said he would appeal against the decision to the Court of Appeal and he believed that the truth would prevail.