Published: Monday November 23, 2009 MYT 7:28:00 PM
Umno to appeal against Kota Siputeh seat vacancy on Tuesday
By TEH ENG HOCK
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno will appeal against the High Court declaration that the Kota Siputeh state seat was vacant at the Court of Appeals on Tuesday.
Umno information chief Ahmad Mazlan, while acknowledging that the party was running out of time to keep the state seat, said they would file the appeal through legal adviser Datuk Mohd Hafarizam Harun.
"We are short of time. Can a decision be arrived at (by the Court of Appeals) Tuesday itself?" he told reporters at the Parliament lobby.
Should the decision not go Umno's way, Ahmad said they could still file an appeal at the Federal Court.
"But the Election Commission (EC) has to make an announcement (of the vacancy) by Wednesday, otherwise it will be in contempt of court.
"Maybe the EC can proceed while we continue with our appeal. This is unprecedented, so we have to study the technicalities," he said.
Meanwhile, he said Umno had proceeded with preparations for the by-election.
"Kota Siputeh is Umno's territory. We want to continue the winning spirit of Bagan Pinang, but we don't want to be overconfident either," he said.
At a separate press conference, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said he was "willing" to contest the Kota Siputeh by-election if asked to do so by the Umno leadership.
The Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister is being widely speculated to be Barisan Nasional's candidate for the by-election.
"I'm willing if the leadership decides so. Even if I am not picked, I will put in 100% to help Barisan win.
"The machinery is actually moving already, making preparations if the decision is not in a favour and we have to face the by-election.," he said.
PKR membership committee chairman Datuk Johari Abdul said he believed both PAS and Umno would field big names if a by-election is called.
"They will be heavyweights. I understand that both sides have almost decided on their candidates," he said.
Kedah PAS Youth information chief Mohd Firdaus Jaafar said although Kota Siputeh was an Umno stronghold, PAS was confident of winning the seat.
"The machinery has been ready from the day the (Kedah State Assembly) Speaker announced the seat vacant.
"Look at the changes that the Pakatan Rakyat government has brought to Kedah. This will convince the voters to change," he said.
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