The Malaysian Insight

PAS says it does not need to inform the election court judge about the party’s choice not to appeal the court’s decision to nullify its general election victory in the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary constituency.

PAS lawyer Wan Rohimi Wan Daud said if there is no appeal filed by the party by the end of the given period the judge will automatically inform the Election Commission (EC) to vacate the seat.

“PAS does not need to formally apply for a decision. If the court finds that no notice of appeal has been filed within the 14-day period given (tomorrow is the last day), then it is understood.

“Only then can the judge inform the EC about the court’s decision for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat to be vacated to make way for a by-election,” Wan Rohimi told The Malaysian Insight.

Last Sunday, the Islamist party confirmed it will not appeal the court’s decision to annul the party’s victory in the Kuala Terengganu seat in GE15.

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said the party would proceed with a by-election instead of appealing due to the lengthy process involved.

He said the appeal at the Federal Court would at least take six months and that PAS did not want to ignore its voters and leave the seat vacant without an MP.

He added that the decision was made after being convinced that the incumbent, Ahmad Amzad Hashim, can still contest in the Kuala Terengganu by-election.

Takiyuddin also said PAS hopes the Kuala Terengganu by-election would be held simultaneously with the state elections on August 12.

Former EC chairman Wan Ahmad Wan Omar earlier said there was no real issue for the Kuala Terengganu by-election to be held simultaneously with the state polls.

“If PAS does not intend to appeal the court’s decision, of course there is room for the EC to hold a by-election at the same time as the state polls.

“It was made in time because the period from now until the state elections on August 12 is quite long. So there is no issue to hold it (the by-election) at the same time,” he said.

However, speaking on personal capacity, he said the Kuala Terengganu by-election and the state elections should not be held together.

Wan Ahmad said holding the election separately would allow the parties to focus on the individuals polls rather than running everything in one go.

“The by-election can be held separately within a period of 60 days after the date the court declares the Terengganu parliamentary seat vacant.

“After all, it only involves one seat.”

The election court annulled Amzad’s victory in the Kuala Terengganu seat after finding there were corrupt practices to influence voters in the area. – July 10, 2023.