KOTA KINABALU:
The police have completed their probe on the incident where PBRS president Datuk Joseph Kurup was allegedly punched after he was returned unopposed for the Pensiangan parliament seat on nomination day, Feb 24. Keningau Police Chief, Deputy Superintendent Zahari Mohamed yesterday said police had recorded the statement of a 41-year-old local farmer in connection with the incident, which occurred at about 1pm outside the Nabawan Community Hall. He said the case is investigated under Section 323 of the Penal Code for causing hurt, and anyone found guilty of such offence faces a maximum of one year’s jail or a fine up to RM2,000 or both. “Only a statement was recorded and there was no arrest,” Zahari said, adding that they would be submitting the investigation papers to Deputy Public Prosecutor’s office for further action. It was learned that the suspect is a former member of Kurup’s party and was standing among opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat flag-bearers outside the nomination centre before the alleged assault. Sabah PKR chief Ansari Abdullah said recently they would be filling an election petition to challenge the validity of the result in Pensiangan that saw BN candidate Kurup returned unopposed. He said PKR candidate Danny Andipai, his proposer and seconder claimed that they had entered the nomination hall by 9.35am on that day but Danny’s nomination was rejected on the grounds that his papers were filed after the legal time. Kurup, who is the incumbent state assemblyman of Sook, replaced incumbent member of parliament for Pensiangan Datuk Bernard Maraat in the election, which prompted the latter to quit all his posts in the party and threatened to challenge the former as an independent.
