GE14 | PKR's intended candidate for Rantau Dr S Streram today filed an RM7.6 million misfeasance in public office suit against the Election Commission and returning officer Amino Agos Suyub for preventing him from contesting in the 14th general election.

He filed the suit through Messrs Haniff Khatri & Co at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.

In his statement of claim, Streram alleged that the defendants failed in their responsibilities under the Election Commission Act 1958, which resulted in him not being able to contest in the state seat after obtaining the appointment letter from his party.

As a result, he added, the caretaker Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Mohamad Hassan won the Rantau seat uncontested.

He said the EC's failure to accept his nomination has violated his constitutional rights.

Streram is seeking RM5 million in general damages, RM2.6 million in exemplary damages, and other relief deemed fit by the court.

Streram stated that he had paid the deposit of RM5,000 for his candidacy and another RM3,000 for the campaign material on April 25, and claimed he was not told that an EC pass was needed to enter the nomination centre. 

Streram said he tried to pick up the tag a day before the nomination day, but was told to go to the nomination centre early to pick it up.

At 8am on April 28, he claimed that he had informed a police officer at the nomination centre to ask an EC officer to give him the tag, but no one came forward.

Streram said there were two attempts to help him in the nomination centre - at 9.20am and 9.40am - but his nomination form was not accepted because he, his proposer and the seconder could not enter.

The PKR candidate said he was told that an EC officer had promised to come out within two minutes but again, no one came.

Subsequently, he lodged two police reports and sent a letter to the EC on April 30 asking the commission to rectify its mistake.

Streram claimed that there was no requirement in law for him to carry an EC tag as a candidate.

His lawyer, Mohd Haniff Khatri Abdulla, also warned public officers against "working in cahoots" with prime minister Najib Abdul Razak at the risk of facing misfeasance suits.

"Public officers must realise if they wish to work in cahoots with Najib's regime unlawfully and by abusing their powers, rather than being independent of the victim... those officers also run a risk personally to face suits of misfeasance, such as what has been done here."