#PRNSarawak : No truth to candidate disqualification claim, PKR tells DAP

PKR has denied an allegation by Sarawak DAP that its Batu Kitang candidate, Voon Shiak Ni, was nearly disqualified because her proposer was a declared bankrupt.

Voon’s campaign manager, Simon Siah Sy Jen, told a press conference on Tuesday that her proposer, Narawi Palayan Miniandi, was not a bankrupt and this had been verified by the Insolvency Department.

He said that a bankruptcy search was done on the candidate, the proposer and the seconder the night before nominations, with all three individuals cleared by the department.

“The whole nomination process was very smooth and not once our candidate, proposer or the seconder from the party in Batu Kitang queried by the Returning Officer.

“The atmosphere in the nomination centre was peaceful and with not much drama other than a delay which we were not told the reason of,” Siah said.

He criticised state DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen for making false allegations without consulting PKR first, urging the latter to check his facts.

Siah said Chong’s accusation had also damaged the reputation of Narawi, who is a PKR grassroots member.

Narawi, who was present at the press conference, said he would contemplate legal action against Chong.

“Since we are entering into the second day of the election, we hope that we can all practise healthy and mature politics,” Siah added.

Chong alleged on Monday that the Opposition would have lost Batu Kitang to Barisan Nasional if not for DAP fielding its candidate there at the last minute.

He alleged that Voon nearly had her nomination disqualified because her proposer was found to be a bankrupt.

DAP is in a direct clash with PKR in six state seats, including Batu Kitang, following a breakdown in negotiations over seat allocations by Pakatan Harapan leaders.

At the last minute, DAP fielded its candidate for Stakan, Abdul Aziz Isa, in Batu Kitang, while a clash between the two allies will also be seen in  Mulu, Murum, Simanggang, Ngemah and Mambong.