MIRI, Aug 2- The Barisan Nasional (BN) keeps the Baram parliamentary seat after former Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) candidate for the constituency decided to withdraw his petition, citing failure to adhere to the requirements stipulated under the Election Petition Rules 1954.
Election Court judge Chew Soo Ho dismissed the petition with costs after allowing lawyer counsel Baru Bian, who represented petitioner Roland Engan, to apply for leave to withdraw the petition at the outset of the proceedings today.
Chew ordered the petitioner to pay RM15,000 to Member of Parliament for Baram Anyi Ngau and RM10,000 to returning officer Joseph Belayong Punan.
The judge said the costs awarded to respondents were not a punitive action but were made after a thorough consideration and in light of the time and energy spent by the respondents to make preparations to challenge the petition.
Newcomer Anyi, who was former Limbang district officer and Roland’s uncle, won the seat in a three-cornered fight in the 13th general election (GE 13) on May 5 against Roland and Independent Patrick Sibat Sujang.
Roland filed the petition to nullify the GE13 result for the constituency on June 12 citing irregularities and non-compliance with the electoral laws during the campaign period.
The Baram election petition was the only petition filed by the opposition in Sarawak.
– BERNAMA
