Kota Kinabalu: The Election Court on Friday dismissed an election petition by Usno President Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia challenging Datuk Fairuz Renddan’s victory in the Pintasan state seat.
Kuching-based High Court Judge Datuk Faridz Gohim Abdullah struck out the petition after granting preliminary objection raised by Fairuz, who contested as an independent.
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Faridz found that due to non-compliance of strict mandatory election rules and statutory provisions of the Election Offences Act 1954, the petitioner cannot invoke the jurisdiction of the Election Court. Hence, the election petition cannot be sustained.
“In the premises, this court grants, order in terms of Clause 24 (Notice of Application for preliminary objection by Fairuz), and orders that the election petition be dismissed and struck out,” he said.
The court also ordered Pandikar, the former Parliament Speaker, to pay RM10,000 costs to Fairuz.
Pandikar, 70, filed the petition on Dec 22, 2025 seeking a declaration that the Nov 29, 2025 election was void, that Fairuz was not duly elected, and that he be declared the rightful winner, with costs borne by the respondents.
Fairuz, who is now Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing, on Jan 29, filed the preliminary objection.
Pandikar initially named Fairuz as first respondent, the Pintasan returning officer Peter Jiton as second respondent and the Election Commission (EC) as third respondent.
However, on Feb 23, he elected not to proceed with the petition against the second and third respondents, which were subsequently struck out with no order as to costs.
Pandikar alleged corrupt and illegal practices under the Election Offences Act 1954 during the election on Nov 29, 2025 claiming Fairuz violated Sections 10(a), (b), (c), (d) and in particular 10(e) and 32(e) of the Act.
He was represented by counsel Sukumaran Vanugopal, while counsel Rizwandean Bukhary M Borhan, Mohd Al Hafidz Mohd Lokman and Khalid Murshidi appeared for Fairuz.
In the election on Nov 29, 2025, Fairuz obtained 4,675 votes with a majority of 1,070 votes.
Pandikar, who contested under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) ticket in the 11-cornered fight, obtained 3,605 votes.
Fairuz said he was grateful for the outcome and would continue focusing on his duties as Pintasan Assemblyman, pledging to carry on developing the constituency as promised since his first term.
On March 11, the High Court dismissed an application for leave to commence judicial review filed by an independent Karanaan candidate challenging the result of the Karanaan seat won by Deputy Chief Minister cum Finance Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun (GRS).
The Election Court also dismissed several election petitions, including one on March 12 filed by Warisan candidate Terence Au Soon Fui challenging the victory of Datuk Chong Chen Bin (GRS-Tanjong Kapor) and the petition against Datuk Fairuz Renddan (Independent–Pintasan) on Friday.
On Feb 23, the Election Court dismissed a petition filed by GRS candidate Samuil Mopun challenging the Bengkoka seat won by Datuk Harun Durabi (BN), followed by another on Feb 24 filed by Sipitang PKR chief Wendey Agong Baruh against the Sindumin seat won by Yusri Pungut (Warisan).
On March 5, the Election Court also struck out a voter’s petition challenging the result of the Kunak seat won by Datuk Seri Dr Anil Jeet Singh (BN).
