The Lubok Merbau state seat in Perak remains a BN seat, with Siti Salmah Mat Jusak as its assemblyperson.

This decision was handed down today by a five-member Federal Court panel headed by Chief Justice Arifin Zakaria ( right ) in unanimously dismissing a voter’s challenge to the election result.

The other judges in the panel are Chief Judge of Malaya Zulkefli Ahmad Makinuddin, Federal Court judges Abdull Hamid Embung and Zainun Ali and Court of Appeal judge Azahar Mohamed.

On May 5 last year, Siti Salmah was declared the winner of the Lubok Merah seat with a slim majority of 53 votes in the 13th general election, against PAS’ Mohd Zainudin Mohd Yusof.

The apex court dismissed the appeal and ordered the voter, Mohd Ridzuan Asit, to pay RM15,000 each to Siti Salmah and the Election Commission.

Justice Arifin dismissed the arguments by lawyers representing Mohd Ridzuan on the grounds that the matter is not decided and that the voter has legal standing to initiate the action.

It was reported that on Jan 16, the Election Court in Ipoh had struck out the petition for the second time on the grounds that it was defective and Mohd Ridzuan did not put forward his facts properly.

The petitioner/appellant was represented by Chan Kok Keong and Fitri Asmuni.