Pizi second Pribumi man to be disqualified over bankruptcy

PAGOH: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's hopes of contesting the Bukit Pasir state seat here were dashed when its candidate Pizi Jihat (pic) was disqualified due to bankruptcy.

Pribumi president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin expressed puzzlement over the rejection of Pizi's nomination papers.

"We have done a search at the Insolvency Department's website which revealed that Pizi's status was cleared.

"But the returning officer said that Pizi was a bankrupt and this is puzzling," he told reporters at a press conference here on Saturday.

Muhyiddin said he requested the officer to verify Pizi's status again.

However, he said Pizi's nomination was later rejected when the official announcement was made.

"I am disappointed at the decision and view the matter seriously," he said, adding that Pribumi's legal team will pursue the matter further.

Announcement of the candidates for the Pagoh parliamentary and state seats here were delayed to 11.40am by Returning Officer Zainor Adani as time was needed to verify Pizi's status with the Insolvency Department.

When announcing the candidates, Zainor merely said that Pizi's nomination was rejected without giving any reason for it.

When met by reporters, a dejected looking Pizi claimed that his nomination was rejected due to a "technicality".

Pizi, who claimed that he had cleared his status, said he would seek legal redress in the matter.

With Pizi's disqualification, it will now be a straight fight between Barisan Nasional's Datuk Noraih Mahat and PAS' Capt (Rtd) Najib Lep.

The Pagoh parliamentary seat will see a three-cornered battle between incumbent Muhyiddin, Barisan's Ismail Mohamed and PAS' Ahmad Nawfal Mahfodz.

It will also be a three-way fight in Bukit Kepong state seat which includes Barisan's Mohamad Noor Taib, PAS' Muhamad Nur Iqbal Abd Razak and Dr Shahrudin Jamal (Pribumi).