Loser to challenge Malaysian Indian’s poll victory

KUALA LUMPUR - The victory of P. Kamalanathan, an ethnic Indian who contested a key Malaysian parliamentary by-election last Sunday, will be challenged on grounds of “inducement and blatant bribery”, the losing candidate said Wednesday.

Zaid Ibrahim, a former law minister who was the losing opposition candidate in the by-election, said he will file an election petition to declare as null and void the result of the Hulu Selangor by-election Sunday.

Ibrahim said he had the necessary evidence to prove that Barisan Nasional, the ruling alliance, was involved in “blatant” bribery.

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, who heads the Barisan, has denied the charge of using money power to intimidate voters.

Hand-picked by Najib, Kamalanathan won the election with over 1,700 votes.