No by-election in Batu: Justice Ghazali Cha's intention clear and sincere

Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Justice Ghazali Cha has stated in his written judgment that the RM2,000 fine imposed on PKR's Tian Chua will not cause his disqualification as Batu MP. On June 17, he had dismissed Chua's appeal but reduced the sentence, saying he adopted the 1993 Supreme Court decision in Public Prosecutor vs Leong Yin Ming that only a fine of RM2,001 or more would result in automatic disqualification. 

In the 18-page document (A copy of the written judgment has been placed on blog-site loyarburokcom), the judge quoted a passage from Supreme Court judge Justice Gunn Chit Tuan that the phrase “shall not be less than” should mean "more than". Justice Ghazali said that based on this Supreme Court decision, it bound the lower court and was a strong authority which could be adopted by the high court. He was confident that the fine would not result in a by-election being called in Batu. He said his intention and purpose was clear and sincere in giving the judgment and would also like to warn the accused not to repeat such offences in the near future.