By Admin
KUALA LUMPUR: Election Commission (EC) deputy chairman Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar told the High Court here today that he was never involved in ‘Project IC’ in Sabah or held the post of EC director in the state, as was reported by PAS’ organ Harakah.
In his witness statement, Wan Ahmad (photo), 65, said he had never served in Sabah throughout his career with the EC.
As such, Wan Ahmad said two articles published in the organ to the effect clearly defamed him.
“I had no direct or indirect involvement in Project IC’ in Sabah,” he said during the hearing of his suit againts PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu or Mat Sabu, PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali, Harakah’s printer Angkatan Edaran Enterprise Sdn Bhd, its editor Ahmad Lutfi Othman and Aziz Muda, the writer of the articles.
On March 5, Wan Ahmad had filed the suit against the defendants after the two articles titled ‘Wan Ahmad Tak Boleh Dipercayai’ (Wan Ahmad Cannot Be Trusted and ‘Ragu Peranan SPR – Wan Ahmad Omar Mesti Letak Jawatan’ (Doubts on EC’s Role- Wan Ahmad Omar Must Resign) were published in Harakah’s Friday Feb 1-3, 2013 edition.
Reinforcing how the articles had tarnished his reputation, Wan Ahmad said during a live interview as a guest on BernamaTV, a viewer had called in demanding his resignation for being involved in ‘Project IC’, which was heard by all and sundry.
To a question by his counsel Datuk Mohd Hafarizam Harun, Wan Ahmad also said after the articles were published, he and his family members were subject all kinds of abuse, received unfavourable SMSes and were questioned on his integrity and credibility as the deputy chairman of the EC.
He added that not only that, his international stature was damaged as people he knew abroad also asked him about it.
“It is my duty to protect my reputation and that of my family. So I am forced to seek justice,” he said, adding that he had filed the suit in his personal capacity.
Crossed examined by the defendants’ counsel Mohamed Hanipa Maidin, Wan Ahmad, who was appointed EC deputy chairman since Dec 17, 2004, disagreed that his credibility had already been in question before the articles were published.
Sabah EC director Datuk Md Idrus Ismail, 56, in his witness statement, said at the material time, the Sabah Elections Officer was Wan Ahmad Wan Yusof and not Wan Ahmad Wan Omar.
“To my knowledge, the plaintiff had never served in Sabah,” he said, adding that he also knew Wan Ahmad Wan Yusof.
A Royal Commission of Inquiry was established to probe “Project IC” over allegations that it was a secret project to give citizenship to illegal immigrants in Sabah so they could be voters.
The hearing before Judicial Commissioner Lee Heng Cheong continues today. BI
No comments:
Post a Comment