KIMANIS POLLS | Former foreign affairs minister Anifah Aman will not contest the Kimanis by-election, saying he will instead make his come back in the 15th general election.

"This is an emotional moment for me not to contest in this by-election.

"I reaffirm my belief that the carelessness of the Election Commission had caused undue inconvenience to the rakyat in Kimanis and unwise expenditure of taxpayers' money.

"I will, however, contest again in Kimanis in GE15," Anifah said in a statement today.

The seat fell vacant following a Federal Court decision on Dec 2 that upheld the Election Court decision on Aug 16 to invalidate the election results for Kimanis in the 14th general election.

A five-member bench led by Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat had unanimously dismissed Anifah's appeal to set aside the Election Court ruling, citing the presence of additional ballot papers that could have affected the election results.

Anifah said while he disagreed with the outcome, he respected it. He will instead be suing the EC for damages.

"The EC's failure to appeal the Federal Court decision against it gives rise to speculation that it is complicit in the betrayal of the people's mandate.

"As a victim of the ineptitude and carelessness of the EC, I, on the advice of my lawyers will institute legal proceedings against the EC for damages in the days ahead," he said.

Anifah thanked Umno and BN for giving him the opportunity to serve Kimanis voters.

"In the days ahead, I will be focusing my efforts to unite the various political forces in the state to work on what is right for the people of Sabah.

"The challenges facing the state of Sabah and the country are numerous and if not addressed properly, will threaten the security and the well-being of the state and country. 

"The people of Sabah deserve better," he said.