KUCHING: The Federal Court yesterday ordered a Kuching voter who is seeking a declaration that the election of Bandar Kuching MP null and void, to pay MP Chong Chien Jen a total of RM78,954 being cost of the legal action.
High Court Registrar Afidah Abdul Rahman made the order against Kho Whai Phiaw, 65, a registered voter.
Registrar Afidah also maintained the decision made in Election Court that Chong was duly elected as the Member of Parliament for Bandar Kuching.
Election Court judge Datuk Clement Skinner previously had dismissed with costs and appeal by Kho to declare the election of Chong Chieng Jen in Bandar Kuching MP null and void.
Kho alleged that Chong, who was elected in the March 8 2008 parliamentary election, had committed four corrupt practices of undue influence and one of bribery.
Kho subsequently made an appeal against the Election Court decision to Federal Court and once again the appeal decision favoured Chong.
In the parliamentary election, Chong of the DAP defeated Sarawak United People’s Party candidate Alan Sim Yaw Yan by a majority votes of 9,952. Chong polled 22,901 votes against Sim’s 12,949 votes.
Chong was represented by Counsel Alvin Yong while Kho was represented by Counsel Henry Ling.