SHAH ALAM – Barisan Nasional’s parliamentary candidate for Sg Besar, Datuk Seri Jamal Yunos, has denied being issued a bankruptcy order that could disqualify him from contesting in the coming general election (GE15).
In a statement today, Jamal dismissed Seputeh MP Teresa Kok’s claim that bankruptcy proceedings against him had commenced on August 30, saying instead that case management will only be done on November 30 and that his lawyer will be challenging the matter.
He said he was currently appealing against the high court’s order for him to pay RM300,000 as compensation and RM50,000 in costs to Kok for defaming her.
The Sg Besar Umno division chief said Kok’s insistence that the Election Commission (EC) object to his potential nomination as a GE15 candidate was premature, futile, and wrongful – as well as a desperate attempt to disqualify him as a candidate.
“The facts are very clear, I have not been served with any bankruptcy order in line with the Insolvency Act 1967,” he said.
Therefore, Jamal believes his eligibility as an election candidate remains valid on nomination and polling day until a bankruptcy order is issued, as well as when all appeals have been disposed of in accordance with eligibility for nomination under Article 48 of the federal constitution.
Kok was recently reported to have sent a letter to EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Salleh on Jamal being named as BN’s candidate in Sg Besar, claiming that he had yet to settle the terms of a judgment in a suit she filed against him, which could potentially lead to him being declared a bankrupt.
In July, Kok was awarded RM300,000 in damages after winning a defamation suit against Jamal over the alleged misuse of Yayasan Warisan Anak Selangor funds. – Bernama, November 4, 2022
