In a statement, B Prasanth Kumar, a 22-year-old law student from Malacca, claimed Hashim had asked him personal questions which were irrelevant to the hearing.

Prasanth also alleged that Hashim advised his father, who was present at the hearing, to ask Prasanth to complete his studies first before getting involved in proceedings like the objection hearing.

Prasanth, who studies at a private university, was at the hearing to present his objections to the EC panel on the proposed redelineation for the Jasin parliamentary seat and Rim state seat in Malacca.

During the presentation, he claimed Hashim, who was leading the six-man EC panel, asked him whether he was a university student and where he studied.

“I was asked the same question three times. Then Hashim asked me whether I knew who the people sitting next to him were, to which I said I did not.

“He said two of the panel members were judges, and I said I admit they are more knowledgable than me. I then continued with my objection presentation.”

After his presentation, Prasanth said Hashim asked him whether he had attended recent protests and whether I had carried placards.

Prasanth said he attended the protests but did not carry any placards and assembled peacefully.

When contacted, Prasanth told FMT that he believed Hashim was asking about the recent Bersih 5 rally.

He added that he was surprised with Hashim’s questions and remarks about him completing his studies as that had nothing to do with his objections.

“If anything, he should be focusing on my presentation about the objections. What does my age or whether I am studying have to do with anything?”

Hashim has not yet responded to FMT’s request for comments on Prasanth’s claims.

It was previously reported that the EC received 836 objections to the proposed redelineation exercise throughout Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah.

Following the objections, the EC began conducting local inquiries to hear all representations through the state governments, local councils and 100 registered voters in the respective areas.

Political parties from both sides of the divide, Barisan Nasional component parties and opposition parties have voiced concern over the proposed redelineation exercises, citing racial imbalances and unfair advantages to their opponents, among others.