Inspector-general of police Mohamad Fuzi Harun told the Special Election Court in Seremban today that during the April 28 nomination for the Rantau state seat in the last general election, its returning officer, Amino Agus Suyub, had requested police assistance to stop Dr S Streram, who was the PKR candidate, from entering the nomination centre.

Fuzi, 59, said he was informed on the matter by Negeri Sembilan police chief Noor Azam Jamaludin.

He also told the court that there was a mutual understanding between the police and the Election Commission (EC) whereby aspects on security came under the jurisdiction of the police and issues concerning the nomination of candidates were handled by the EC, particularly the returning officer.

Since the aspect on security was the responsibility of the police, if there was a request, like preventing a potential candidate, it would be enforced, he said when questioned by Streram’s lawyer, Hanif Kathri Abdulla.

Fuzi was testifying before judge Azimah Omar in the hearing of an election petition filed by Streram on May 23 to nullify the Election Commission’s decision in declaring former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Mohamad Hasan as the winner of the Rantau state seat in the May 9 general election.

He also sought an order compelling the EC to hold a by-election for the seat.

Streram, who is an anaesthetist, had named Mohamad, Amino Agus and the EC as the first, second and third respondents, respectively.

Meanwhile, to a question by Mohamad’s lawyer, Hafarizam Harun, Fuzi said he did ask Noor Azam for the reason Streram was not allowed to register as a candidate for the Rantau seat, and was told that it was because Streram was not in possession of a pass issued by the commission.

--Bernama