2023 Kemaman by-election

Last updated
2023 Kemaman by-election
Flag of Malaysia.svg
  2022 2 December 2023 Next  

P040 Kemaman seat in the Dewan Rakyat
 First partySecond party
  Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar pada 2022.jpg Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi bin Raja Mohamed Noor.jpg
Candidate Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor
Party PAS Direct Member
Alliance PN BN
Popular vote64,99827,778
Percentage70.06%29.94%

MP before election

Che Alias Hamid (disqualified)
PN (PAS)

Elected MP

Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar
PN (PAS)

The 2023 Kemaman by-election was a by-election that was held on Saturday, 2 December 2023 for the Dewan Rakyat seat of Kemaman . It was called following the disqualification of incumbent, Che Alias Hamid on 26 September 2023. [1]

Contents

The election was the third federal by-election since GE15 after the Kuala Terengganu and Pulai by-elections that were held earlier the year. [note 1] Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar won by the majority of 37,220 votes.

Background

Kemaman is a Malay/Muslim-majority seat comprising predominantly 94.1% of the overall voters, followed by 5.0% Chinese, 0.5% Indians and 0.4% of other ethnicities.

Che Alias, a member of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) of Perikatan Nasional (PN) was first elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kemaman in Terengganu defeating Ahmad Said of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) of Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, Hasuni Sudin of the People's Justice Party (PKR) of Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition and Rosli Abd Ghani of the Homeland Fighters Party (PEJUANG) of Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) coalition by a majority of 27,179 votes in 2022 general election (GE15).

On 26 September 2023, the Terengganu Election Court annulled the results of the Kemaman seat in the 2022 general election. With this, Che Alias lost his seat and was disqualified as an MP with immediate effect. Judge Anselm Charles Fernandis ruled that the petitioner of BN Wan Mohamad Hisham Wan Abdul Jalil succeeded in proving that there had been elements of inducement of voters during the campaigning period of the election and corruption had taken place with the aim of influencing voters through programmes of fund distribution by the Terengganu state government in the election. He added that although the Terengganu state government was not in caretaker capacity and was allowed to work normally as the Terengganu State Legislative Assembly was dissolved and Terengganu state election was held separately in 2023, it did not mean the programmes should be held so close to the election. The court also ordered Che Alias to pay RM 30,000 to Wan Mohamad Hisham. Che Alias was represented by lawyers Wan Rohimi Wan Daud and Saifuddin Othman while Wan Mohamad Hisham was by lawyers Mohd Hafarizam Harun, Amin Othman and Norhazira Abu Haiyan. Hafarizam stressed that the Anselm had called the lead counsel of both parties into his chambers and informed them that he would notify the Election Commission (EC) of his ruling on a week later on 3 October 2023 if there was no appeal notice, indicating a decision on whether to file a notice of appeal should be made by that day and within a week. On 3 October 2023, Secretary-General of PAS Takiyuddin Hassan announced that Che Alias and PAS had decided against filing a notice of appeal to the Federal Court. Following that, the by-election was triggered. [2]

Nomination

On 3 October 2023, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of BN and President of UMNO Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stressed that it would be good for BN to test the electoral support for the coalition in Kemaman once again although the opposing PN has the advantage in the Malay-majority and rural areas like Kemaman and bring down the majority of PN in the by-election from its majority in the 2022 general election should it win. [3]

On 13 November 2023, BN nominated former Chief of Defence Forces Raja Mohamed Affandi as its candidate. Affandi stands as a direct candidate, unaffiliated with any of the component parties within BN. [4] Affandi is the first direct member to contest a by-election since Ramli Mohd Nor in the 2019 Cameron Highlands by-election although Ramli subsequently joined UMNO following his election.

On 16 November 2023, PN nominated Menteri Besar of Terengganu and Member of the Terengganu State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Ru Rendang Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as its candidate. [5]

Timeline

The key dates are listed below.

DateEvent
26 September 2023Che Alias Hamid was disqualified as an MP with immediate effect.
17 October 2023Issue of the Writ of Election
18 November 2023Nomination Day
18 November–1 DecemberCampaigning Period
28 November–1 December 2023Early Polling Day For Postal, Overseas and Advance Voters
2 December 2023Polling Day

Results

Malaysian general by-election, 2 December 2023: Kemaman
Upon the disqualification of the incumbent, Che Alias Hamid
PartyCandidateVotes % ∆%
Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar 64,99870.06Increase2.svg 11.95
BN Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor 27,77829.94Decrease2.svg 4.13
Total valid votes92,776 100.00
Total rejected ballots478
Unreturned ballots35
Turnout93,28965.76Decrease2.svg 15.36
Registered electors141,043
Majority37,22040.12Increase2.svg 16.08
Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party hold Swing

Previous results

Malaysian general election, 2022 : Kemaman
PartyCandidateVotes % ∆%
Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party Che Alias Hamid 65,71458.11+14.05
BN Ahmad Said 38,53534.07-7.60
PH Hasuni Sudin8,3407.37-6.90
Homeland Fighters' Party Rosli Abd Ghani5060.45+0.45
Total valid votes113,095 100.00
Total rejected ballots1,288
Unreturned ballots150
Turnout114,55381.12
Registered electors139,423
Majority27,179
Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party hold Swing

Notes

  1. Not counting the federal by-election for Padang Serai and state by-election for Tioman, both which were delayed to 7 December 2022 because of death of respective candidates after nomination day for GE15. Both by-elections and results are considered as part of the 2022 general election and 2022 Pahang state election.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barisan Nasional</span> Political party coalition in Malaysia

The National Front is a political coalition of Malaysia that was founded in 1973 as a coalition of centre-right and right-wing political parties to succeed the Alliance Party. It is the third largest political coalition with 30 seats in the Dewan Rakyat after Pakatan Harapan (PH) with 82 seats and Perikatan Nasional (PN) with 74 seats.

Wan Mokhtar bin Wan Ahmad was a Malaysian politician who served as the 11th Menteri Besar of Terengganu. In office for 25 years, he was the longest-serving head of the Terengganu state government. He also served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Kemaman and Member of the Terengganu State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Cukai.

A by-election was held for the Dewan Rakyat seat of P67 Kuala Kangsar, a parliamentary seat located in the state of Perak, Malaysia on 18 June 2016 following the nomination day on 5 June 2016. The seat fell vacant after death of member of parliament Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad, who died in a helicopter crash on May 5, 2016 while campaigning in the Sarawak state election. In the 2013 general election, Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad won the seat with a majority of 1,082 votes beating Khalil Idham Lim Abdullah of Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) and independent candidate Kamilia Ibrahim. This by-election was held concurrently with the Sungai Besar by-election for the same reason.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gagasan Sejahtera</span> Political party in Malaysia

The Gagasan Sejahtera was a coalition of opposition Islamist political parties which promote the "ideas of peace" in Malaysia. The informal electoral pact was formed initially on 16 March 2016 by Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) and Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (IKATAN) as a Third Force to face both ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) and the opposition Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalitions in the upcoming 2018 Malaysian general election (GE14). It had announced on 13 August 2016 the pact to be formally called Gagasan Sejahtera. Pan-Malaysian Islamic Front (BERJASA) had later joined the coalition on 23 September 2016. The formation of the alliance brought criticism from both the main coalitions of BN and PH.

The 14th Terengganu State election was held on 9 May 2018, concurrently with the 2018 Malaysian general election.. The previous state election was held on 5 May 2013. The state assemblymen is elected to 5 years term each.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar</span> Malaysian politician, aerospace engineer and lecturer

Ahmad Samsuri bin Mokhtar, better known as Dr Sam, is a Malaysian politician, aerospace engineer and lecturer who has served as the 15th Menteri Besar of Terengganu, Member of the Terengganu State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Ru Rendang since May 2018 and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kemaman since December 2023. He is a member of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), a component party of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition. He has also served as the Vice President of PAS since June 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Malaysian general election</span>

General elections were held in Malaysia on Saturday, 19 November 2022. The prospect of snap elections had been considered high due to the political crisis that had been ongoing since 2020; political instability caused by coalition or party switching among members of Parliament, combined with the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, contributed to the resignation of two prime ministers and the collapse of each of their respective coalition governments since the 2018 general elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perikatan Nasional</span> Political coalition in Malaysia

The National Alliance is a political coalition composed of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party, Malaysian Islamic Party, Malaysian People's Movement Party and Sabah Progressive Party. This coalition was preceded by the Malaysian Party Alliance Association, also known as the Persatuan Perikatan Parti Malaysia (PPPM). It is the second largest political coalition in Dewan Rakyat with 74 seats after Pakatan Harapan (PH) with 81 seats; dubbed as the "Green Wave".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ahmad Amzad Hashim</span> Malaysian politician

Datuk Ahmad Amzad bin Hashim is a Malaysian politician who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kuala Terengganu from May 2018 to June 2023 and again since August 2023. He served as the Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation for the second term in the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration under former Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and former Minister Adham Baba from August 2021 to the collapse of the BN administration in November 2022 and the first term in Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration under former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and former Minister Khairy Jamaluddin from March 2020 to the collapse of the PN administration in August 2021. He is a member of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), a component party of the PN coalition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khairuddin Razali</span> Malaysian politician

Mohd Khairuddin bin Aman Razali is a Malaysian politician who has served as Religious Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi since March 2023. He served as the Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration under former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin from March 2020 to the collapse of the PN administration in August 2021 and Member of Parliament (MP) for Kuala Nerus from May 2013 to November 2022. He is a member of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), a component party of the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition and was an independent as well as member of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), a component party of the PN coalition. On 14 March 2022, Khairuddin left PAS effective immediately and later joined UMNO. He is also the Executive Secretary of the Ulama Council of UMNO.

Mohd Nurkhuzaini bin Ab Rahman is a Malaysian politician who has served as Member of the Terengganu State Executive Council (EXCO) in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) state administration under Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as well as Member of the Terengganu State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Kota Putera since May 2018. He is a member of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), a component party of the PN coalition.

Ariffin bin Deraman is a Malaysian politician who has served as Member of the Terengganu State Executive Council (EXCO) in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) state administration under Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar since May 2018 as well as Member of the Terengganu State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Alur Limbat since May 2013. He is a member of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), a component party of the PN coalition.

Azman bin Ibrahim is a Malaysian politician who has served as Member of the Terengganu State Executive Council (EXCO) in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) state administration under Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, Member of the Terengganu State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Jabi since May 2018 and Chairman of the National Kenaf and Tobacco Board since 2020. He is a member of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), a component party of the PN coalition.

Satiful Bahri bin Mamat is a Malaysian politician who has served as Member of the Terengganu State Executive Council (EXCO) in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) state administration under Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar since May 2013 as well as Member of the Terengganu State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Paka from December 1999 to March 2004 and again since May 2013. He is a member of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), a component party of the PN coalition.

Wan Hapandi bin Wan Nik is a Malaysian politician who served as Deputy Member of the Terengganu State Executive Council (EXCO) in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) state administration under Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar and Member Mohd Nurkhuzaini Ab Rahman from May 2018 and Member of the Terengganu State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Sura from May 2013 to August 2023. He is a member of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), a component party of the PN coalition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Members of the Dewan Rakyat, 15th Malaysian Parliament</span>

This is a list of the members of the Dewan Rakyat of the 15th Parliament of Malaysia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Malaysian state elections</span> Sub-national general elections

State elections in 2023 were held in Selangor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah and Penang on 12 August 2023, following the dissolution of their state assemblies between 22 June and 1 July 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Terengganu state election</span> Malaysian state legislative election

The 15th Terengganu state election were held on 12 August 2023 to elect the State Assembly members of the 15th Terengganu State Legislative Assembly, the legislature of the Malaysian state of Terengganu.

The 2023 Kuala Terengganu by-election is a by-election that were held on 12 August 2023 for the Dewan Rakyat seat of Kuala Terengganu. It was called following the disqualification of incumbent, Ahmad Amzad Hashim on 27 June 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Green Wave (Malaysia)</span> Political phenomenon in Malaysia

Green Wave, also known as Green Tsunami, better known as Malay Wave, also known as Malay Tsunami, otherwise known as The People's Wave, alternatively known as Perikatan Nasional Wave / National Pact Wave, shortened as PN Wave, is a political phenomenon that has taken place in Malaysia since the 2022 Malaysian general election. This political phenomenon involves Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) and its ultraconservative voters, who mainly originate from the northeastern and northwestern parts of Peninsular Malaysia. Ideologically, the phenomenon mostly concerns a far-right, authoritarian and ultranationalist movement that espouses increased Malay–Muslim hegemony in Malaysian politics as well as further intimidation and marginalisation of Malaysia's minority groups and religions.

References

  1. "Election Court nullifies Che Alias Hamid's GE15 win of Kemaman Parliamentary seat". The Star. 26 September 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  2. "PAS will not appeal Election Court's Kemaman decision, says Takiyuddin". The Star. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  3. "Barisan yet to decide if it will contest Kemaman by-election". The Star. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  4. "Raja Mohamed Affandi is BN's direct candidate for Kemaman by-election". New Straits Times. 13 November 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  5. "Ahmad Samsuri calon Pas PRK Parlimen Kemaman". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). 16 November 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.