Subang Jaya

state assemblyperson Lee Hwa Beng was granted an unexpected walkover today when his erstwhile DAP challenger was disqualified for failing to comply with an election regulation.

Veteran DAP leader Cheah Kam Chiew was disallowed from running by the Election Commission (EC) returning officer on grounds that he had not submitted an account of expenses he incurred during the 1999 general election.

Cheah, 67, had contested five years ago for the Kuala Kubu Bharu state seat in Selangor. He was defeated by MCA's Ch'ng Toh Eng by more than 4,800 votes.

Contacted later, DAP Selangor chief Ronnie Liu said Cheah had claimed that he had complied with the requirement although this was disputed by the EC officers.

"He claimed that he has submitted the returns so the matter is uncertain. The EC has also said they did not receive it from him and there is no way to prove either side," he said.

Cheah was not available for comment.

Three-zero win

Lee, a two-term incumbent, said he was surprised by the development as he was not aware of the matter until raised by the returning officer.

"It was not raised by me. I did not expect it because he is not only a veteran DAP member but also a lawyer," he said, adding that Cheah "might have" posed a strong challenge to his bid to retain the state seat.

As a result of his early victory, Lee said he has been appointed as the director of operations for the election campaign of MCA Kelana Jaya candidate Loh Seng Kok.

He will also be supporting the Umno's campaign for the Seri Setia state seat - which falls under the Kelana Jaya constituency - where Seripah Noli Syed Hussin will be contesting against PAS' Mustura Mohammad.

"We are aiming for 3-0 victory not just 1-0," he said.

In 1999, Lee beat off challenge by DAP's Ong Ing Siong by securing a 6,895-vote majority or 28 percent of total votes cast.