Jali Gayang, from Kampung Pos Sinderut, Kuala Lipis, denied that the money was given to gain support from the Tok Batins for Barisan Nasional candidates.

“Wan Rosdy paid RM200 to several Tok Batins who came to a sports carnival at the village’s school on April 30. Another RM300 was paid on May 6,” he said, referring to Jelai assemblyman Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.

Jali said the money for the Tok Batins was meant to compensate their travel and daily expenses as they had to travel up to four hours from their villages to attend the meeting with BN candidates at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sinderut.

Jali was testifying in an election petition filed by DAP’s Cameron Highlands candidate M Manogaran against Cameron Highlands MP C Sivarraajh.

Manogaran is seeking to nullify the Cameron Highlands election result on grounds of massive vote buying.

Sivarraajh won with a 597-vote majority in a five-cornered fight involving candidates from DAP, Parti Sosialis Malaysia, PAS and Berjasa.

Previously, two Orang Asli village chiefs told the court that the money from BN was meant to seek their support for the then ruling coalition.

Asked by Manogaran’s lawyer K Shanmuga as to whether the meeting on April 30 was part of BN’s campaign as Wan Rosdy and Sivarraajh were seen wearing BN shirts, Jali agreed it was.

He also said both gave campaign speeches seeking the support of Orang Asli villagers.

Another villager, Acohm Luji, told the court that Wan Rosdy handed him a sum of RM25,000 as a contribution to the Tok Batins and their fellow villagers to cover their trip to cast votes.

He said he was involved in distributing the money because he understood the culture of the villagers and could speak their language.

“I see it as a norm for Orang Asli to receive financial aid to help them come out from their homes to vote,” he said.

The hearing continues on Oct 4 before High Court judge Azizah Nawawi. Wan Rosdy will testify on that day.