2019 Semenyih by-election

2019 Semenyih by-election

← 2018 2 March 2019 2023 →
N24 Semenyih seat in the Selangor State Legislative Assembly
Majority party Minority party Third party   BN PH PSM Candidate Zakaria Hanafi Muhammad Aiman Zainali Nik Aziz Afiq Abdul Party UMNO BERSATU PSM Alliance BN PH Popular vote 19,780 17,866 847 Percentage 50.44% 45.56% 2.16%   Fourth party   IND Candidate Kuan Chee Heng Party Independent Popular vote 725 Percentage 1.84%
N24 Semenyih state constituency border and the districts included within the constituency.
MLA before election Bakhtiar Mohd Nor (died) Pakatan Harapan (BERSATU) Elected MLA Zakaria Hanafi Barisan Nasional (UMNO)

A by-election was held on 2 March 2019 for the Selangor State Legislative Assembly seat of Semenyih.^[1] The seat became vacant after the death of the incumbent assemblyman, Bakhtiar Mohd Nor, 57, on 11 January 2019 from heart attack.^[2] Bakhtiar was a member of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party or Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (BERSATU), a component of Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition.

The nomination day was on 16 February 2019, with a 2-week campaigning period until election day on 2 March 2019 and 26 February 2019 for early voting. The by-election used the third-quarter 2018 electoral roll that was updated until 11 January 2019, which the constituency has 53,411 eligible voters comprising 53,520 ordinary and 109 absentee voters.^[1][3]

Zakaria Hanafi from Barisan Nasional (BN) won the by-election. This was the first time a seat was gained by another party after PH won the 2018 general election (GE14).^[4]

Nomination

PH had announced on 14 February that Hulu Langat BERSATU Treasurer, Muhammad Aiman Zainali who is also the son-in-law of previous Semenyih assemblyman Bakhtiar Mohd Nor who had died and sparked the by-election as their candidate for the by-election.^[5]

The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) had announced that they would make way for Barisan Nasional (BN) to contest in the by-election as the latter had more support in the constituency.^[6]

The previous BN election candidate Datuk Johan Abd Aziz of United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) who was also the former Semenyih assemblyman for two terms earlier before losing in GE14 to BERSATU, said on 22 January 2019 that he will not be contesting in the by-election.^[7]

BN on 14 February announced that former UKM administration officer, Zakaria Hanafi as their candidate for the by-election.^[8]

Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) on 13 February officially announced that Youth Member, Nik Aziz Afiq Abdul as their candidate for the by-election.^[9]

Malaysian People's Movement Party (Gerakan) initially had announced it is highly likely to contest in the by-election to serve as an indicator of the party performance after leaving BN coalition in 2018.^[10] On 14 February, somehow Gerakan decided to not contest in the by-election.^[11]

Social activist Kuan Chee Heng also known as "Uncle Kentang" or even "10-sen man" announced in his Facebook page that he will contest as an independent candidate. He is the Malaysian Society of Community Policing (CP) president and also a former policeman before leaving to become a florist.^[12]

On Nomination Day, candidates from PH, BN and PSM along with independent candidate Kuan Chee Heng (with telephone symbol) submitted their nomination papers. The by-election set for a four-cornered fight.^[13]

Controversies and issues

After the announcement of the by-election, a registered voter Puan Sri Sabariah Mohd Shariff, 58, has filed on 11 February 2019 for an injunction to stop the Semenyih by-election, challenging the validity of the Election Commission (EC) as it was then run by only the chairman Azhar Azizan Harun, popularly known as Art Harun.^[14][15] Former EC deputy chairman Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar suggested the Semenyih by-election be postponed pending a court hearing on the legitimacy of the EC currently run by only one person, the chairman and the case warranted urgent attention, as six other posts were vacant when the decision on nomination and polling dates were made but Article 114 (1) of the Federal Constitution clearly stated that the EC shall be appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong after consultation with the Conference of Rulers, and shall consist of a chairman, a deputy chairman, and five other members. He hope the legitimacy of the EC must be verified, or else it would set a bad precedence.^[16]

EC chairman Azhar has welcomed lawsuit, calls it a 'good thing' and crucial for the development of a more transparent process.^[17] In a statement on 14 February, Chief Secretary to the Government Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Bakar said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, had on 14 February approved University of Malaya Law Faculty lecturer Dr Azmi Sharom's appointment as Election Commission (EC) deputy chairman and also approved the appointment of four EC members; Datuk Seri Ramlan Ibrahim, Datuk Chin Phaik Yoong, Dr Faisal S. Hazis and Zoe Randhawa. The appointments will be effective from the date the appointees report themselves as EC members, until they reach 66 years old.^[18] On 25 February, the High Court rejected the petition filed and dismissed the bid to stop the Semenyih by-election; allowing it to continue as planned.^[19]

On Nomination Day, BN supporters had chased after Youth and Sports Minister, Syed Saddiq and made offensive remarks against him.^[20] He alleged that UMNO Youth exco member and controversial blogger Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris, better known as Papagomo, had cornered him from a different route and put him in a headlock. While Papagomo claimed it was just a hug. Syed Saddiq later lodged a police report at Sungai Way police station and also go for a medical check-up.^[21] Papagomo was arrested over the alleged attempted assault on Syed Saddiq on 17 February^[22] and he was remanded for three days for investigation.^[23] Papagomo was charged on 28 February 2019 with two counts of intending to insult the modesty of the minister by saying to him 'ko bodoh' (you are stupid) and with voluntarily causing hurt on Syed Saddiq.^[24]

BN supporters were also reported to have heckled PSM members and supporters as well.^[25]

The car used to ferry BN candidate, Zakaria Hanafi was splashed with paint. His aide, Rahmad Musa found out about the issue.^[26] A BN supporter Mamat Awang, 59, from Kuala Terengganu, collapsed and died outside of the Nomination centre on Nomination Day.^[27]

During the campaigning period, independent candidate, Kuan Chee Heng has his campaign banner taken down. Furthermore, banners criticising BN and Rosmah Mansor, the wife of former Prime Minister Najib Razak were hung.

On Polling Day, BN complained about two cars carrying the PH symbols drove through restricted areas.^[28]

Result

Selangor state by-election, March 2, 2019: Semenyih
Upon the death of incumbent, Bakhtiar Mohd Nor

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	∆%
	BN	Zakaria Hanafi	19,780	50.44	19.10
	PH	Muhammad Aiman Zainali	17,866	45.56	5.20
	Parti Sosialis Malaysia	Nik Aziz Afiq Abdul	847	2.16	0.64
	Independent	Kuan Chee Heng	725	1.84	N/A
Total valid votes			38,518	100.00
Total rejected ballots			650
Unreturned ballots			50
Turnout			39,218	73.3	↓
Registered electors			54,503
Majority			1,914	4.88
	BN gain from PH		Swing		.

^[29]

Results according to polling district

Early and post votes

Previous result

References

• v
• t
• e

By-elections in Malaysia

Federal

1950s	Kedah Tengah 1959
1960s	Kampar 1960 Telok Anson 1961 Kuala Trengganu Selatan 1962 Lipis 1962 Muar Selatan 1963 Bachok 1964 Seberang Selatan 1964 Krian Laut 1966 Bruas 1966 Kelantan Hilir 1967 Raub 1967 Pasir Mas Hulu 1967 Segamat Utara 1968 Kuantan 1968
1970s	Malacca Selatan 1971 Kapar 1971 Bau-Lundu 1971 Lipis 1972 Ulu Selangor 1972 Rembau-Tampin 1972 Kuala Kedah 1973 Johore Timor 1973 Rajang 1974 Selayang 1975 Pekan 1976 Kemaman 1976 Kimanis 1977 Panti 1977 Keningau 1977 Pontian 1978 Pelabuhan Kelang 1979
1980s	Mukah 1980 Kimanis 1981 Paloh 1981 Sri Gading 1981 Ulu Muda 1983 Tampin 1983 Seremban 1983 Padang Terap 1985 Ulu Padas 1985 Lubok Antu 1987 Limbawang 1987 Gopeng 1987 Johor Bahru 1988 Ampang Jaya 1989 Bentong 1989
1990s	Jerai 1992 Gua Musang 1995 Bagan 1995 Lipis 1997 Telok Intan 1997 Kuala Selangor 1997 Arau 1998
2000s	Telok Kemang 2000 Pendang 2002 Gaya 2002 Permatang Pauh 2008 Kuala Terengganu 2009 Bukit Gantang 2009
2010s	Hulu Selangor 2010 Sibu 2010 Batu Sapi 2010 Bukit Gelugor 2014 Teluk Intan 2014 Rompin 2015 Permatang Pauh 2015 Kuala Kangsar 2016 Sungai Besar 2016 Port Dickson 2018 Cameron Highlands 2019 Sandakan 2019 Tanjung Piai 2019
2020s	Kimanis 2020 Padang Serai 2022 Kuala Terengganu 2023 Pulai 2023 Kemaman 2023

State

1950s	Plentong 1959
1960s	Sri Lalang 1960 Grik 1960 Kota Tengah 1960 Pontian Kechil 1961 Gemas 1962 Rantau Panjang 1962 Port Swettenham 1963 Pahang Tua 1963 Telok Datoh 1963 Balik Pulau 1963 Jelai 1964 Tumpat Tengah 1964 Jitra 1965 Ayer Itam 1965 Rahang 1965 Sungei Bahru 1966 Kampong Bharu 1967 Tampoi 1967 Chukai 1967 Baling Barat 1968 Ranau 1968 Bachok Utara 1968 Bukit Serampang 1968 Pendang 1968 Serdang 1968
1970s	Bekok 1971 Yen-Merbok 1971 Pelagus 1971 Batu Rakit 1971 Sidam 1971 Muda 1971 Tumpat Barat 1972 Sebandi 1973 Kota Bharu Tengah 1973 Elopura 1973 Johore Lama 1973 Kajang 1973 Kuala Nerus 1973 Kuching Barat 1973 Engkilili-Skrang 1974 Pasir Puteh Tengah 1974 Bandar Kangar 1974 Sungei Bahru 1974 Parit Bakar 1974 Alor Pongsu 1974 Merbok 1975 Kuala Kinabatangan 1975 Labuan 1975 Lahad Datu 1975 Lunas 1976 Semariang 1976 Kiulu 1976 Kota Kinabalu 1976 Papar 1976 Moyog 1976 Tanjong Aru 1976 Bandar Penggaram 1977 Balingian 1977 Bertam 1977 Parit Jawa 1977 Kenering 1977 Matunggong 1977 Jempol 1977 Morib 1978 Tendong 1978 Matunggong 1978 Inanam 1978 Kampong Jawa 1978 Titi Tinggi 1978 Machan 1978 Kampong Kolam 1978 Muara Tuang 1979 Kuching Timor 1979 Kuala Besut 1979 Balung 1979 Ranau 1979
1980s	Oya 1980 Bukit Raya 1980 Kemabong 1980 Sugut 1980 Pengkalan Kota 1980 Bengkoka 1981 Sebandi 1981 Matu-Daro 1981 Satok 1981 Sipitang 1981 Ulu Muar 1981 Balung 1981 Kunak 1981 Lumadan 1981 Gemencheh 1982 Tandek 1982 Usukan 1982 Kepayang 1982 Binjai 1982 Banggi 1983 Kenering 1983 Bandar Raub 1983 Tamparuli 1983 Kemumin 1983 Selising 1983 Rungkup 1983 Tambunan 1984 Bandar Maran 1986 Sukau 1986 Balung 1986 Buang Sayang 1986 Karamunting 1986 Oya 1986 Sulaman 1986 Bukit Tuku 1987 Usukan 1987 Bongawan 1987 Tanjong Puteri 1988 Parit Raja 1988 Teluk Pasu 1989 Tambatan 1989 Teruntum 1989 Sungai Besar 1989 Ranau 1989
1990s	Pantai Merdeka 1990 Kuala Linggi 1990 Kijal 1990 Sipitang 1990 Sulabayan 1990 Bayu 1991 Usukan 1991 Prai 1991 Limbongan 1991 Sungai Pinang 1991 Serkam 1991 Jerlun 1991 Bukit Payung 1992 Batu Kawah 1992 Batu Talam 1993 Kampung Raja 1993 Sementa 1994 Lundang 1994 Shahbandar Raya 1994 Sulabayan 1995 Bukit Asahan 1996 Pulai Chondong 1997 Bukit Begunan 1997 Repah 1997 Kemena 1997 Permatang 1997 Melekek 1997 Semerak 1997 Kidurong 1997 Changkat Jering 1997 Sungai Bakap 1997
2000s	Sanggang 2000 Lunas 2000 Indera Kayangan 2002 Ketari 2002 Anak Bukit 2002 Kuala Berang 2004 Ba'kelalan 2004 Pengkalan Pasir 2005 Batu Talam 2007 Machap 2007 Ijok 2007 Batang Air 2009 Bukit Selambau 2009 Penanti 2009 Manek Urai 2009 Permatang Pasir 2009 Bagan Pinang 2009
2010s	Galas 2010 Tenang 2011 Kerdau 2011 Merlimau 2011 Kuala Besut 2013 Sungai Limau 2013 Kajang 2014 Balingian 2014 Pengkalan Kubor 2014 Chempaka 2015 Tanjong Datu 2017 Sungai Kandis 2018 Balakong 2018 Seri Setia 2018 Semenyih 2019 Rantau 2019
2020s	Chini 2020 Slim 2020 Bugaya 2022 Tioman 2022 Simpang Jeram 2023 Pelangai 2023 Jepak 2023 Kuala Kubu Baharu 2024