With the exception of one, both Umno and PAS have agreed not to pursue further all election petitions filed by them in Kelantan and Terengganu challenging the results of the March 21 polls.

Malaysiakini

learnt today that the two parties have reached a 'gentleman's agreement' on the 18 election petitions since talks were initiated last week between the two.

This will ensure that both PAS and Umno - who are bitter political rivals - will remain secure in their respective state governments in Kelantan and Terengganu.

The only seat not included in the agreement is the Pasir Puteh parlimentary seat in Kelantan currently being held by PAS Dewan Muslimat chief Kalthom Othman.

Sources said the reason it was not included in the package was because Umno believed that it had a strong case for the seat.

It is learnt that the parties are expected to use several options to ensure the agreement's implementation.

Among them will be the submission of preliminary objections by counsel from both parties urging the court to strike off the petitions based either on technical reasons or lack of evidence.

The first election petition hearing in Kelantan, involving Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, which was initially scheduled for 10 days from yesterday, has been postponed to Wednesday. Two other election petition hearings in Kelantan yesterday were also postponed.

The Election Court gave no reason in postponing the three hearings. It said that all 10 election petitions filed by the Barisan Nasional (BN) and PAS in Kelantan will be heard on Wednesday morning at the Kota Baru High Court.

'Main package'

PAS and BN have filed five election petitions each in Kelantan . PAS is challenging the results for the Jeli and Bachok parliamentary seats as well as the state seats of Air Lanas, Mengkebeng and Jelawat.

BN is challenging the results for the Pasir Puteh parliamentary constituency and the results for the Chempaka, Kadok, Kemuning and Kota Lama state seats.

In Terengganu , PAS filed eight election petitions after the March 21 polls. The parliamentary constituencies being disputed by PAS are Besut, Kuala Terengganu, Marang and Dungun while the state seats are Jertih, Ladang, Sura and Cukai.

BN filed only a single petition to challenge the result of PAS president and former Terengganu Menteri Besar Abdul Hadi Awang's state seat at Rhu Rendang.

PAS lost control of Terengganu to BN in the March polls and only retained control of Kelantan by the slimmest of margins.

BN wrestled Terengganu from PAS by winning 28 of the 32 state seats while PAS won the remaining four. And in Kelantan, PAS just managed to hold on to its power by winning 24 of the 45 state seats. Umno won 21 seats.

It is also believed that the apart from the 'main package' involving Terengganu and Kelantan, Umno and PAS have also reached the agreement to maintain the status quo at several other crucial constituencies.

These include the Kepala Batas and Kuala Kangsar parliamentary seats - in Pulau Pinang and Perak respectively - as well as the Senggarang state seat in Johor which PAS won uncontested.

Kepala Batas is held by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Typing error

Last Friday, the Ipoh Election Court struck out the petition against International Industry and Minister Rafidah Aziz on her Kuala Kangsar parliamentary seat. The petition was filed by a PAS member.

The court had allowed an application by Rafidah to set aside the petition as she said it had not been served on her within 15 days. Instead of objecting, the petitioner had agreed to the Rafidah's application.

According to the sources, similar applications could be made for the petitions in Kelantan and Terengganu.

"Even a typing error in the affidavit could lead to the petition being struck out on technical grounds," the source said.

Contacted for comment, Kelantan Umno information chief and Ketereh MP Mohd Alwi Che Ahmad said he was unaware of any such 'gentleman's agreement'.

PAS Kelantan state exco Husam Musa refused to comment when contacted while attempts to reach Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, the counsel for BN election petitions, proved futile.

Kelantan Umno liaison chief Mustapa Mohamed was quoted in Berita Harian today as denying there were negotiations on between Umno and PAS to withdraw their election petitions.

However, Kelantan Umno source sources told malaysiakini today although there were no official negotiations between the two parties '... certain individuals are working on the matter'.