1987 Bukit Tuku by-election

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1987 Bukit Tuku by-election
Flag of Kelantan.svg
 198628 June 19871990 

Bukit Tuku seat in the Kelantan State Legislative Assembly
 BNPASIND
CandidateMohamad Zain IsmailFatah HarunNoor Mohamad Din
Party BN (UMNO) PAS Independent
Popular vote3,7903,672970
Percentage44.95%43.55%11.5%

Bukit Tuku assemblyman before election

Zakaria Botok
BN (UMNO)

Elected Bukit Tuku assemblyman

Mohamad Zain Ismail
BN (UMNO)

The 1987 Bukit Tuku by-election is a by-election for the Kelantan State Legislative Assembly state seat of Bukit Tuku , Malaysia that were held on 28 June 1987. [1] It was called following the death of the incumbent, Zakaria Botok on 31 March 1987. [2]

Contents

Background

Zakaria Botok, from United Malays National Organization (UMNO), were elected to the Kelantan State Legislative Assembly newly created seat of Bukit Tuku at the 1986 Kelantan state election as a Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate, defeating Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) candidate Fatah Harun. Prior to that, he was the incumbent of Gual Periok state seat, which he won in the 1982 Kelantan state election.

On 31 March 1987, Zakaria passed away at General Hospital, Kota Bharu. He has been admitted to the hospital since August 1986 after being involved in an accident at Pasir Mas-Rantau Panjang highway, where he suffered serious injuries. [3] His death means that Bukit Tuku state seat were vacated. This necessitates for by-election to be held, as the seat were vacated more that 2 years before the expiry of Kelantan assembly current term. Election Commission of Malaysia (SPR) have announced, after an injunction to prevent the by-election that had been filed by Fatah has been lifted, that the by-election for the seat will be held on 28 June 1987, with 16 June 1987 set as the nomination day. [4]

Nomination and campaign

After nomination closed, it was confirmed that there will be a 3-way fight between BN, PAS and independent candidate for the Bukit Tuku seat. [5] BN nominated UMNO Rantau Panjang division youth chief Mohamad Zain Ismail, while PAS re-nominated Fatah as their candidate. A businessman, Noor Mohamad Din also handed his nomination papers as an independent candidate.

In their campaign, BN had claimed that PAS and independent candidates plan to use 'dirty tactics' to help them in the by-election. [6]

Timeline

The key dates are listed below.

DateEvent
Issue of the Writ of Election
16 June 1987Nomination Day
16–27 June 1987Campaigning Period
Early polling day for postal and overseas voters
28 June 1987Polling Day

Results

Kelantan state by-election, 28 June 1987: Bukit Tuku
The by-election was called due to the death of incumbent, Zakaria Botok.
PartyCandidateVotes% ∆%
BN Mohd Zain Ismail3,79044.95Decrease2.svg 7.36
PAS Abdul Fatah Harun3,67243.55Increase2.svg 4.14
Independent Noor Mohamad Din97011.5Increase2.svg 11.5
Total valid votes8,432 100.00
Total rejected ballots60
Unreturned ballots
Turnout8,49274.56Increase2.svg 0.76
Registered electors11,389
Majority1181.4Decrease2.svg 3.22
BN hold Swing
Source(s)
[7]

Previous result

Kelantan state election, 1986 : Bukit Tuku
PartyCandidateVotes% ∆%
BN Zakaria Botok4,21852.31
PAS Abdul Fatah Harun3,84647.69
Total valid votes8,064 100.00
Total rejected ballots275
Unreturned ballots0
Turnout8,33973.80
Registered electors11,299
Majority3724.62
This was a new constituency created.

Aftermath

Notes

    References

    1. "Dr M: Victory reflects confidence of BN". New Straits Times. 30 June 1987. p. 3. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
    2. "Bt Tuku polls: Over 40pc turnout by noon". New Straits Times. 29 June 1987. p. 1. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
    3. "State Assemblyman Zakaria dies at 65". New Straits Times. 2 April 1987. p. 6. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
    4. "Preparation for Bt Tuku polls to begin soon". New Straits Times. 2 June 1987. p. 6. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
    5. "3-corner fight for Bukit Tuku state seat". New Straits Times. 17 June 1987. p. 3. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
    6. "'Opposition planning to use 'dirty tactics' claim". New Straits Times. 24 June 1987. p. 2. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
    7. "National Front hangs on to Bukit Tuku seat". The Straits Times. 30 June 1987. p. 7. Retrieved 11 March 2025.