KT Election Officer resigned abrubtly

English translation of a report in Malaysiakini:

Kuala Terengannu Election Officer resigned abruptly
Jan 15, 09 8:40pm

With only 1 day left to the Kuala Terengganu by-election, the Election Officer Datuk Mat Razali Kassim resigned after being accused (heavily) by PAS.

He who is also the Mayor of Kuala Terengganu resigned abruptly today after PAS accused him of asking the Kuala Terengganu City Council (MBKT) to support the BN candidate Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh.

In a statement by the Election Commission (SPR) early tonight, Mat Razali is replaced by the Assistant Election Officer Wan Mustafa Wan Hassan, who is also the secretary of MBKT.

"SPR agree to receive Mat Razali resignation as Election Officer of P036 Kuala Terengganu by-election with immediate effect." said the SPR Secretary Datuk Ngah Senik.

In addition, in compliance with the provision of Section 3(c) and 5(1)(a) of the General Election Act appoint the assistant of Mat Razali as the new General Election Officer with immediate effect.

Other than PAS accusation, a police report was made by the Head of PKR Youth Mohd Fariz Musa accusing Mat Razali threaten about 590 staff of MBKT in a meeting di the Tunku Abdul Rahman Hall yesterday morning.

From Malaysiakini:

Pegawai p'raya KT tarik diri mengejut
Jan 15, 09 8:40pm
Tinggal satu hari lagi pengundian pilihanraya kecil Kuala Terengganu, pegawai pengurusnya Datuk Mat Razali Kassim menarik diri selepas didakwa berat sebelah oleh PAS.

Beliau, yang juga datuk bandar Kuala Terengganu, meletakkan jawatan mendadak hari ini selepas PAS menuduhnya meminta kakitangan Majlis Bandaraya Kuala Terengganu (MBKT) menyokong calon BN Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh.

Dalam kenyataan Suruhanjaya Plihan Raya (SPR) awal malam ini, Mat Razali digantikan oleh penolong pegawai pengurus pilihanraya parlimen ini Wan Mustafa Wan Hassan, yang juga setiausaha MBKT.

"SPR bersetuju menerima penarikan diri Mat Razali sebagai pegawai pengurus pilihanraya kecil P036 Kuala Terengganu berkuatkuasa serta-merta," kata Setiausaha SPR Datuk Ngah Senik.

Tambahnya, selaras dengan peruntukan Seksyen 3(c) dan 5(1)(a) Akta Pilihan Raya 1958, suruhanjaya itu melantik penolong Mat Razali sebagai pegawai pilihanraya baru berkuatkuasa serta-merta.

Selain dakwaan PAS, satu laporan polis dibuat oleh ketua Angkatan Muda PKR Mohd Fariz Musa dengan mendakwa Mat Razali mengugut kira-kira 590 kakitangan MBKT dalam satu pertemuan di Dewan Tunku Abdul Rahman pagi semalam.