2009 Penanti by-election

An election to fill the state assembly seat for Penanti was held on 31 May 2009. Penanti has 15,384 registered voters, with 73% of them Malays, 24% Chinese, 2% Indians and 0.7% of other communities.[1] Dr Mansor Othman of the People's Justice Party (PKR) party won the election.

Election background

Penang Deputy Chief Minister and state assemblyperson Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin quit the state assembly seat of Penanti, Penang regarding allegations over his non-performance in public office and corruption allegations.[2] Fairus was however cleared of the alleged corruption links with quarry operations in the state by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).[3]

According to the mainstream media, Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim decided to force a by-election to allow his former political secretary Dr Mansor Othman to contest, win and automatically become Penang deputy Chief Minister.[4] The Election Commission has set the nominations day for 23 May and polling day on 31 May for the Penanti state by-election in Penang.[5]

Malaysian Prime Minister, Najib Razak declared an election would be a waste of economic resources.[6] As a result, he conclude that the ruling coalition Barisan Nasional (BN) would not contest the election.[7] It would be the first election uncontested by the ruling coalition since independence.[8] MCA supported foregoing the by-election and awarding the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) party coalition victory, as a means to reduce political tensions.[9]

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad urged Barisan Nasional to contest the by-election.,[10] but Barisan Nasional supreme council announced on 18 May 2009 that the party would not contest the Penanti state assembly seat in Penang.

Nominations

Penang PKR deputy chief Mansor Othman, a 54-year-old party veteran, was named the party's candidate.[11] Three candidates ran as independents: former Penang PKR Wanita chief Aminah Abdullah, company manager Nai-Khan Ari and motivational expert Kamarul Ramizu Idris.[12]

By-election results

PKR's Dr Mansor Othman won 6,052 of the 7,100 votes cast in the Penanti by-election on 31 May 2009. Independents Nai Khan Ari, Aminah Abdullah and Kamarul Ramizu Idris obtained 494, 392 and 56 votes respectively. The polling ended with a low turnout of 46.1% or 7,100 voters despite fair weather.[13][14]

Penang state by-election, 31 May 2009: Penanti
The by-election was called due to the resignation of incumbent, Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin.
Party Candidate Votes%∆%
PKRMansor Othman6,05286.53
IndependentNai Khan Ari Nai Keow4947.06
IndependentAminah Abdullah3925.60
IndependentKamarul Ramizu Idris560.80
Total valid votes 6,994 100.00
Total rejected ballots 107
Unreturned ballots 1
Turnout 7,10246.16
Registered electors 15,384
Majority 5,558
PKR hold Swing
Source(s)
"Pilihan Raya Kecil N.12 Penanti". Election Commission of Malaysia. Retrieved 2018-09-19.
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References
  1. "Penanti by-election likely to be 4-cornered fight". TheStar Online. 22 April 2009. Retrieved 22 April 2009.
  2. "Mohammad Fairus quits Penanti seat". The Nut Graph. 16 April 2009. Retrieved 16 April 2009.
  3. "MACC clears Fairus of corruption charges". Sun2Surf. 23 April 2009. Retrieved 23 April 2009.
  4. "BN's dilemma: To fight or not to fight". TheStar Online. 21 April 2009. Retrieved 21 April 2009.
  5. "Penanti vote is on". Malaysian Insider. 27 April 2009. Archived from the original on 28 April 2009. Retrieved 27 April 2009.
  6. "Najib must walk the talk on '1 Malaysia' – Pauline Ng". The Malaysian Insider. 20 April 2009. Archived from the original on 20 April 2009. Retrieved 20 April 2009.
  7. "Najib: BN may not contest Penanti by-election". The News Straits Times. 18 April 2009. Archived from the original on April 19, 2009. Retrieved 18 April 2009.
  8. "Najib: BN may skip Penanti". Malaysian Insider. 18 April 2009. Archived from the original on 19 April 2009. Retrieved 18 April 2009.
  9. "MCA: It's democratic to skip Penanti". Malaysian Insider. 19 April 2009. Archived from the original on 21 April 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2009.
  10. "Dr M says BN must contest Penanti by-election". Malaysian Insider. 22 April 2009. Archived from the original on 22 April 2009. Retrieved 22 April 2009.
  11. "Mansor Othman is PKR candidate for Penanti by-election". Sun2Surf. 28 April 2009. Retrieved 28 April 2009.
  12. "Penanti by-election". TheStar Online. 23 May 2009. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
  13. "Penanti: Dr Mansor wins with 6,052 votes out of 7,100". TheStar Online. 31 May 2009. Retrieved 31 May 2009.
  14. "Penanti:Mansor wins, heads for DCM office". Malaysian Insider. 31 May 2009. Archived from the original on 2 June 2009. Retrieved 31 May 2009.
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