BN withdraws petition BUT Zulkifli Nordin should resign as a matter of principle...

PKR's Zulkifli Nordin is to remain as the member of parliament for Kulim-Bandar Baru, because the Election Petititon was withdrawn.

My concern is WHY did the Barisan MP withdraw the petition?

Remember, it was literally a 'sure win' petition - which would mean another by-elections.

Earlier, even Anwar was contemplating running for this seat - but of course, there was a realisation that the court and/or the judge could just delay and delay and never make a decision...

The next concern that I have, is if it is true that if the fact that "that someone did not submit his 'statement of expenditure' for the past elections'" OR some other fact arises later that would in fact disqualify a person from standing in the first place, would it mean that he would be so disqualified ONLY if there is an Election Petition (filed within the stipulated time), which the petitioner wants to proceed right to the end?

Should the Petitioner be given so much power? {Dangerous - because a little money, etc or pressure maybe all that is required to get rid of an Election Petition in the future...an enable an otherwise disqualified MP/ADUN to continue as wakil rakyat]

I believe that if one was was disqualified from standing for an elections in the very first place (or later) for some reason or another, which comes to light at ANYTIME, then action should be taken against the said MP and/or ADUN with a view of removing him as the wakil rakyat.

It is the same as when you do commit an offence contrary to the laws of the land - it matters not whether the initial complainant or the victim wants to pursue with it or not. The State is not bothered and will act against the person who broke the law.

Should we also not have the same thing for the Election Law?

Let us discuss this matter without considering whether it is a BN or PR MP/ADUN that is affected...

The Alor Star High Court this morning struck out the Kulim-Bandar Baru election petition which from the very beginning looked very favourable to the petitioner Barisan Nasional.

MCPX

A sudden decision by the BN to withdraw its petition today resulted in the court to strike out the matter.

With this, PKR's Zulkifli Nordin is set to remain the member of parliament for the constituency.

BN seemingly had a strong case to win this petition which it filed on the grounds that Zulkifli had failed to submit his statement of expenditure from his 2004 general election campaign.

Under the Election Act, candidates who do not submit their statement of expenditure to the Election Commission can be disqualified from contesting in future elections. - Malaysiakini, 13/10/2008 - Court dismisses Kulim petition, Zul keeps seat

Now, it seems that one of the reason was that BN did not want another by-election..

Meanwhile, when contacted Abdul Aziz said he decided to withdraw the petition to "concentrate on the ongoing economy matters".

"A by-election would consume much energy. Also, one more seat would not mean much (for the BN)," he said.

He added that the decision to withdraw the petition was made a few days ago following a discussion with Kedah Umno and BN leaders."I am willing to sacrifice my right to challenge Zulkifli so that the people and the government can work together to stabilise the country's political, economic and unity situation, which are in critical condition right now," he said.- Malaysiakini, 13/10/2008 - Court dismisses Kulim petition, Zul keeps seat

BN decided to withdraw the Election Petition...

I believe that the Pakatan Rakyat must now sit down and decide whether Zulkifli Nordin should resign or not.

If reasonably, the petition would have succeeded by reason of tha facts and the law (as it is) - then the only right and honourable thing to do is for Zulkifli Nordin to resign...and we will have a by-elections, which I am sure that the Pakatan Rakyat will again win.

This is a matter of honour and principles...