Sept 30 for clarification, oral submission in Pujut election petition

MIRI: The Election Court has fixed Sept 30 to hear clarification and oral submission from the parties involved in the Pujut election petition, the only case to be filed following the May 7 state election.
Justice Ravinthran N. Paramaguru also today ordered the petitioner and respondent to submit their affidavits, written submission and reply before Sept 30.
Barisan Nasional (BN) direct candidate Datuk Hii King Chiong filed the petition on June 16, on the grounds that Dr Ting Tiong Choon (DAP)'s victory was invalid as he is allegedly a citizen of another country.
For the record, Sections 16 and 17(g) of the Constitution of Sarawak stipulate that a State Legislative Assembly member should be disqualfied if he has voluntarily acquired the citizenship of another country.
Lawyer Peter Lin Kuan Yuh represented Hii while Dr Ting, the sole respondent in the petition was represented by his counsel Chong Siew Chiang.
In the May 7 election, Dr Ting won with a majority of 1,759 votes in a four-cornered contest involving DAP, BN, PAS and an Independent. — Bernama