Sept 2 set to hear Anwar’s suit against EC
The High Court in Kuala Lumpur today set Sept 2 to hear a suit filed by Anwar Ibrahim, who is serving a five-year jail sentence for sodomy, against the Election Commission (EC) and two others for not allowing him to vote in the Permatang Pauh by-election held last May 7.
Deputy registrar Nor Hasniah Ab Razak set the date in chambers in the presence of federal counsel M Kogilambigai, who is representing the EC, its chairperson Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof and the Malaysian government, who were named the three defendants in the suit.
The case will be heard before High Court (Appellate and Special Powers) judge Asmabi Mohamad.
Anwar, who is former Permatang Pauh Member of Parliament, filed the suit last May 6 seeking a declaration that he was eligible to vote in the by-election, as well as in the next general election, as provided under Article 119 of the federal constitution.
Besides compensation and costs, Anwar is also seeking that the defendants take follow-up action to enforce his right as a voter.
In a supporting affidavit, Anwar, 68, claimed that on April 30 this year, his lawyer had sent a letter of demand to the EC and Abdul Aziz for a confirmation that he was eligible to vote.
He claimed that the two defendants did not respond to the letter and that their action had denied him his right as a voter and that they had breached Article 119 of the federal constitution.
Anwar said he was already a registered voter in Permatang Pauh before his conviction by the Federal Court last Feb 10 and had voted in the constituency in the 13th general election two years ago.
- Bernama
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