Lawyer Baharuddin Ariff, a member of the legal team appearing for petitioner Azmi Mahmood, said a case management was conducted this morning before Justice Amarjeet Singh, who fixed the case for trial on Sep 5, 6, 7, 13, 14, 26 and 27.

Amerjeet, who sits in the Kuala Lumpur High Court, has taken over the case from Justice Roslan Abu Hasan, following an order made by the Federal Court last week.

His appointment as election judge was made pursuant to Section 33 of the Election Offences Act 1954 by the Chief Judge of Malaya Zabidin Diah.

On Wednesday, a three-member apex court bench chaired by Chief Judge of Sabah & Sarawak Rahman Sebli allowed the appeal by Azmi for Tengku Razaleigh, or Ku Li as he is commonly known.

Rahman, who sat with Justices Hasnah Hashim and Nordin Hassan, also ordered that a new judge preside over the case.

The Federal Court’s decision overturned a Feb 26 ruling by Roslan allowing a preliminary objection by Azizi and striking out the petition for non-compliance with the Election Offences Act 1954 and rules made under it.

Azmi filed the petition in January alleging that money had been paid out to some voters in return for their votes. He also claimed several ballot boxes from certain voting centres were not accounted for.

He asked the election results to be annulled and that a fresh election be held.

At the 15th general election (GE15) last November, Azizi won by a razor-thin majority of 163, after garnering 21,826 votes, defeating Ku Li, who had held the seat since 1974.

Appearing with Baharuddin in today’s proceedings was Norhazira Abu Hayyan, while Faizi Che Abu represented Azizi.