BN challenges Hadi Awang’s Marang seat, alleges vote buying in GE15

KUALA LUMPUR – Barisan Nasional (BN) has filed election petitions for three parliamentary seats, including the Marang constituency held by PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, over allegations of vote buying.

This was revealed via a media invitation issued by the Umno headquarters for a press conference on the matter to be held tomorrow afternoon.

The invitation indicated that the press conference will be chaired by Terengganu Umno liaison chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Said, who will be joined by a team of lawyers to provide an update on the three election petitions by BN. 

It noted that the petitions have been filed by BN candidates in the 15th general election (GE15) who contested in the Marang, Kemaman, and Kuala Terengganu constituencies – all of which are in Terengganu. 

The invitation specifically mentioned that the petitions are against the Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidates in the respective seats. 

“All three election petitions are over allegations of rampant corruption committed by PN during GE15.”

The Kuala Terengganu seat is currently held by Datuk Ahmad Amzad Hashim, the PAS lawmaker recently sued by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for defamation after he accused the prime minister of lying about receiving a salary of only RM1 when he was Selangor’s economic adviser.

Meanwhile, the Kemaman constituency is held by Che Alias Hamid, a two-term incumbent there. 

All three PAS candidates won their respective seats with a handsome majority. 

Previously on Friday, BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir confirmed that the coalition has filed several election petitions contesting the results in a number of seats won by PN over vote-buying allegations, but stopped short of naming them.

He had said that the coalition had a “strong basis” to resort to such action. 

Previously on January 9, Umno information chief Isham Jalil claimed PN won many seats in the recent elections due to corrupt practices such as vote buying. 

Isham went on to say that GE15 was the “dirtiest” election to date as instances of vote buying were widespread. 

“After discussing the matter with party leaders, we have identified at least three parliamentary seats where we will be filing an election petition because our opponents engaged in vote buying,” Isham said. – The Vibes, January 15, 2023