KEPALA BATAS: The nomination for PKR’s candidate for the Penaga state seat, Yaakob Osman, was rejected as there was a record of him being declared bankrupt.
Yaakob of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM), is the younger brother of Penang Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Osman, who announced recently that he would not be contesting in the 14th General Election.
With his disqualification, the Penaga state seat would now see a straight fight between Barisan Nasional’s Datuk Mohd Zain Ahmad, the incumbent, and Pas’ Mohd Yusni Mat Piah.
Yaakob, 53, however, refuted the claim that he was bankrupt, adding that he did a check last week and yesterday as well.
“There was no issue and I have not been summoned by anyone or declared a bankrupt.
“The Election Commission has decided, nothing can be done,” he said whe met outside the nomination centre at the Kepala Batas Industrial Training Institute here.
Yaakob said the party could have fielded another candidate for the state seat if it had been known earlier.
“I can only apologise to all that this has happened. I least expected it,” he said, noting that he could consult his lawyer on the next course of action.
Earlier, he arrived at the nomination centre to hand in his nomination at 9.03am.
At 10.50am, the EC returning officer Hakmal Effendi Ishak called him and checks were conducted on his nomination form, which took an hour, before the official announcement was made.