The Kuching Election High Court today struck out the election petition against Deputy Chief Minister and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) deputy president Alfred Jabu on technical grounds.

Election judge Lau Bee Lan said that among the procedures not followed by petitioner Dayrell Walter Entrie include his failure to serve the election papers on Jabu personally and by registered post as required under the Election Petition Rules.

Jabu was re-elected to the Layar state constituency with a reduced majority in the May 20 state elections.

Dayrell, who is also Sarawak National Party (Snap) Youth leader, lost by a 2,677-vote margin to Jabu who polled 3,767 votes in a three-cornered fight in the predominantly-Iban state seat. Peter John, an Independent, managed only 105 votes.

Dayrell was represented by Dominique Ng while Cecil Abraham appeared for Jabu.

Dayrell had filed the election petition to declare Jabu's election null and void on the ground of alleged corruption and bribery.

ACA next

Outside the court, Dayrell told reporters that he would lodge a report along with all the necessary evidence to the Anti Corruption Agency (ACA) for investigations into his corruption complaints.

Ng, who is also PKR state assemblyperson for Padungan, said the election rules as it now stands appears to be heavily weighted against the petitioner.

He said his party would campaign for amendments for the rules to make it easier for petitioners to seek legal redress in court.

"In the present case, the election petition was knocked out on technicalities. I don't blame judges."

"The fact, however, remains there is a serious allegation of corruption and bribery which took place during the election, and this issue is not even touched on, as the petition was thrown out based on the court upholding the preliminary objections on technical grounds," he added.

Last month , the courts also threw out three other election petitions against the election of state Assistant Minister Peter Nyarok (BN-SPDP- Krian), Gabriel Adit ( Independent-Ngemah) and Nelson Balang (BN-SPDP-Ba'kelalan).