KUCHING: Existing provisions empower the Election Commission with the authority to decide who is eligible to contest in elections.
So the decision on whether an individual undergoing trial in court is qualified to contest rests with the EC.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the eligibility to be a people’s representative is therefore strictly subject to meeting EC requirements.
He said at the moment there is no proposal to amend the law as at this stage the existing provisions are deemed still suitable.
“If the EC rejects a candidate, there must be certain reasons why,” he said.
“But if the candidate who gets rejected is not satisfied with the decision, the candidate can appeal to the court.”
He said this when asked about the suggestion by the central PAS ulama council (DUPP) that the government should tighten eligibility requirements for candidates to contest in any election, including banning individuals currently involved in court proceedings related to cases of misconduct, malpractice and corruption.
Wan Junaidi dismissed what was suggested by DUPP as a personal view and that what he mentioned was based on the law.
Earlier, he handed over a deposit of RM250,000 for a land purchase near Kampung Sejingkat Mosque here.
He said the funding was allocated by the state government and approved by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for the mosque’s car park.
“We have handed over the 10 per cent deposit to the land owners, and the balance will be given after the stamp duty assessment process and there is no problem in selling the land,” he added.
He said as for the mosque, it will be upgraded and rebuilt at a cost of RM2.5million that was approved by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri.
