Barisan to meet ASAP on candidate for Cameron Highlands

PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional component parties will meet to formally discuss the candidate for the upcoming Cameron Highlands by-election.

Acting Umno president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said that traditionally the seat belongs to MIC, but it will be up to the party leadership to make the final decision on this.

“In principle, we agreed that the component party will defend the seat in the by-election.

“The (Barisan) meeting will be held as soon as possible with component party leaders,” he told a press conference at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) on Friday (Dec 21).

Election Commission (EC) chief Azhar Harun announced that polling for the Cameron Highlands parliamentary seat will be held on Saturday, Jan 26, with nomination day on Jan 12 and early voting set for Jan 22.

On Nov 30, the Election Court declared Barisan's win in the Cameron Highlands parliamentary seat at the 14th General Election null and void, saying that corrupt practices were committed.

Later on Dec 13, the High Court nullified the GE14 result for the Cameron Highlands seat under Section 36 (2) (a) of the Election Offences Act 1954.

The incumbent, Datuk C. Sivarraajh, did not appeal the court’s decision.

Mohamad said that Umno had appointed Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail as the election director for the by-election.

“The Mentri Besar is from the same area and we decided to give him the mandate as the election director for the by-election.

“(Umno) vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who has been delegated the duty of deputy president, will also assist by planning programmes for the election machinery,” he said.