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SEPTEMBER 5 TO HEAR CLARIFICATIONS OF ELECTION PETITON FILED AGAINST BANDAR KUCHING MP

Bernama - Friday, August 8

KUCHING, Aug 7 (Bernama) - The Election Court today fixed September 5 to hear clarifications of an election petition filed against two-term Member of Parliament for Bandar Kuching, Chong Chieng Jen.

Justice Datuk Clement Allan Skinner after presiding the hearing, which started on July 2 with a total of 15 witnesses including Chong and the petitioner Kho Whai Phiaw being called to the stand to testify, adjourned the trial of the election petition today.

Skinner ordered Kho's counsel to submit written submissions on or before August 19 while Chong's counsel to reply on or before August 29 on whether Chong's victory in the March 8 parliamentary election for the Bandar Kuching seat should be declared null and void.

On April 28, Kho filed the petition at the High Court registry here, claiming among others, that Chong had made false statements and imputations in pamphlets or campaign materials to induce or compel voters to vote for him, and had published statements containing misleading imputations against Barisan Nasional (BN)-Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) candidate, Sim Yaw Yen to secure victory in the election.

The 64-year-old Kho is seeking a declaration that the election result for the Bandar Kuching parliamentary seat be nullified on the grounds that Chong had interfered or attempted to interfere with the free exercise of the electoral rights of the voters contrary to Section 9(1) of the Election Offences Act 1954.

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PETITION-BANDAR KUCHING 2 KUCHING

Chong defeated Sim by 9,952 votes.

Earlier, when re-examined by his counsel Wong Ho Leng, Chong said he did not lodge any report with the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to carry out investigations on the award of a state government contract to Titanium Management Sdn Bhd because he knew once he lodged the report, he would not be allowed to talk on the issue.

"However, I have raised this matter in Parliament where officers of the ACA were present taking dawn notes of what I said. It is for the ACA to take the initiative to carry out investigations.

"Not only I have I said it in Parliament but the Auditor's General has also carried out an investigation and compiled a report on the award of contracts by the state government to the company. More so now that this matter is mentioned in this case," he said.

Chong told the court that it was his duty, as a politician, to let the people know about the impropriety of the government's action.

"I consider this a form of political education to create awareness in the people to work towards clean and good governance," he said.

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PETITION-BANDAR KUCHING 3 (LAST) KUCHING

Earlier, when cross-examined by Kho's counsel, Datuk Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, Chong told the court that he had appeal to the public to raise funds to meet the cost of the litigation in this petition.

However, he said he had not applied for permission under the Sarawak Public Collection Ordinance 1996.

"This appeal was made in response to the supporters' request who called me up and said that they wanted to donate to the fund and asked DAP Kuching to set up an account for them to deposit the money... It is only for the purpose of the cost of litigation," he said, adding that the public appeal had been published in various newspapers here.

-- BERNAMA

KHL KHL HA

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