High Court rules Wee is lawful Ayer Hitam MP

Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong. -filepic

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here has declared that MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong is the lawful Ayer Hitam MP

Justice Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali made the decision  after allowing a preliminary objection by Dr Wee and dismissing the election petition issued by Johor DAP chairman Senator Liew Chin Tong.

In his decision, Mohd Nazlan said the petition did not specify facts to substantiate claims that there was corruption during the campaigning period.

“The petitioner must prove there is a cause of action regarding its complaint and the failure to do so is serious.

“With this, I find the respondent (Dr Wee) has succeeded in his preliminary objection. I therefore dismiss the petition and declare the respondent as the lawful MP,” he said here Thursday (Aug 23).

The court also ordered for RM10,000 costs to be paid to each of the respondents.

When met outside the court, Dr Wee said he was relieved to be able to defend his seat.

He has been the Ayer Hitam MP since 2004.

“What is more important is that the court has refuted allegations that we won by doubtful votes. This decision has vindicated me,” he said.

Dr Wee was represented by lawyers Ng Chee Hor and Ang Boon Heng.

Lawyer Zulhelmi Wagiman appeared for returning officer Mohd Hafiz Aliman and the Election Commission while Liew was represented by lawyer Datuk Yeo Yang Poh.

On June 12, Liew had filed a petition at the state High Court to challenge the results of the Ayer Hitam parliamentary seat, which he lost by 303 votes.

Dr Wee had garnered 17,076 votes in the 14th General Election against Liew’s 16,773 votes. A third candidate, PAS’ Mardi Marwan, had 4,975 votes.