No News Is Bad News
By-elections: Litmus tests for Umno, PH’s relevance in Malay politics in GE16 in 2027
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 24, 2023: The Pelangai state by-election in Pahang on Oct 7 is certainly a litmus test on Umno’s future political relevance in Malay politics.
After its huge rejection by the Malays in the 15th General Election and state elections, the election is held in an Umno stronghold state.
It must win at all cost to show that it is still relevant in Malay politics, and that the growth and influence of the Taliban-like PAS which dominates Perikatan Nasional (PN) led by Muhyiddin “I Am Malay First” Yassin, has peaked.
However, if the racial and religious bigotry is allowed to continue unabated till GE16, the future for mulktiracial-multireligious Malaysia is crystal clear.
PAS and PN are today politically powerful with the Malays because they had been allowed to use bigotry to win over the Malays. Period.
Likewise, the two by-elections in Johor (the parliamentary seat of Pulai and the state seat of Simpang Jeram) on Sept 9 are also litmus tests for Pakatan Harapan (PH)’s Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and Amanah.
The two seats are contested by Amanah following the death of Salahuddin Ayub in Alor Setar (Kedah) Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah about three weeks ago
All three Malay parties (PKR, Umno and Amanah) parties must display real unity and campaign all out to defend their incumbency successfully.
A loss or losses would indicate that their hold on Malay support is still deteriorating. So, the by-elections are a do-or-die electoral battles that they cannot afford to lose.
No News Is Bad News reproduces below related news reports on then by-elections:
3-cornered fights in Pulai, Simpang Jeram by-elections
Candidates from Pakatan Harapan, Perikatan Nasional and an independent candidate are vying for each seat.
Mohamad Fadli - 26 Aug 2023, 10:35am
(From left) Pakatan Harapan’s Suhaizan Kaiat, Perikatan Nasional’s Zulkifli Jaafar, and independent Samsudin Fauzi at the Dewan Jubli Intan in Johor Bahru after submitting their nomination papers. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: The by-elections for the Pulai parliamentary seat and Simpang Jeram state seat will each see a three-cornered fight come Sept 9.
Aside from the candidates announced earlier by Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Perikatan Nasional (PN), two independent candidates have thrown their hats into the ring as well.
At the Dewan Jubli Intan nomination centre in Johor Bahru, the Election Commission (EC) returning officer announced the acceptance of nomination papers from PH’s Suhaizan Kaiat, PN’s Zulkifli Jaafar and independent Samsudin Fauzi for the Pulai seat.
As for Simpang Jeram, PH candidate Nazri Abdul Rahman, PN’s Dr Mazri Yahya and independent S Jeganathan have successfully submitted their nomination papers.
Both seats were left vacant following the death of incumbent Salahuddin Ayub on July 23. He was also Amanah deputy president as well as domestic trade and cost of living minister.
Salahuddin won the Pulai seat in the 15th general election (GE15) with a whopping 33,174-vote majority, defeating Barisan Nasional’s Nur Jazlan Mohamed and PN’s Loh Kah Yong.
In the 2022 Johor state elections, he secured the Simpang Jeram seat by a 2,399-vote majority in a four-cornered fight against PN’s Zahrul Salleh, BN’s Lokman Don and Pejuang’s Mahaizal Mahmor.
According to the EC, there are 166,653 eligible voters in Pulai and 40,379 voters in Simpang Jeram.
The EC has set the polling day on Sept 9, with early voting on Sept 5.
Unity govt leaders accompany Pulai candidate to nomination centre
Umno president Ahmad Zahid and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu march hand-in-hand in a show of support for Pakatan Harapan candidate, Suhaizan Kaiat.
Bernama - 26 Aug 2023, 10:25am
(From left) Johor Umno chief Khaled Nordin (in blue), Mohamad Sabu (in red), Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Amanah’s Suhaizan Kaiat, on their way to the Dewan Jubli Intan Sultan Ibrahim in Johor Bahru. (Ismail Salleh Facebook pic)
JOHOR BAHRU: Deputy prime minister and Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi accompanied Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Suhaizan Kaiat to the Pulai parliamentary by-election nomination centre this morning.
Zahid, dressed in the BN corporate shirt, marched together with a unity government delegation and the candidate to Dewan Jubli Intan Sultan Ibrahim here at 8.45am.
Also in the delegation were Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, Johor Umno chairman Khaled Nordin and several leaders of the unity government.
Throughout the journey, the group carrying flags of various component parties under the unity pact chanted “takbir” as well as unity government and Malaysia Madani slogans.
Suhaizan is a former Johor state assembly speaker and a political secretary to the late Salahuddin Ayub, who was the domestic trade and cost of living minister.
On the Perikatan Nasional (PN) side, Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin and several other leaders and supporters of the coalition accompanied their candidate Zulkifli Jaafar to the centre.
Suhaizan, who is from Amanah, was the first candidate to arrive at the centre at 8.45am, followed by Zulkifli (8.46am) and Kuala Lumpur Consumer Safety Association president Samsudin Fauzi, who will be contesting as an independent candidate, at 8.50am.
It was a vibrant and colourful atmosphere at the centre, with supporters of political parties breaking into cheers and displaying banners and flags in support of the candidates.
About 2,500 police personnel were deployed in the area to maintain order while metal barricades and barbed wires were set up to separate supporters of contesting parties to prevent provocations and any untoward incident.
Meanwhile, in Muar, the Amanah candidate for the Simpang Jeram state by-election, Nazri Abdul Rahman, arrived at the nomination centre at Dewan Jubli Intan Sultan Ibrahim, Muar, at about 9.05am.
Nazri, who is Bakri Amanah deputy chief, was accompanied by Johor menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi and deputy defence minister and Amanah vice-president Adly Zahari.
Also in the PH-BN delegation accompanying Nazri were Amanah vice-president Mujahid Yusof Rawa and Bakri MP Tan Hong Pin of DAP.
Nazri and some 1,000 supporters dressed in their party colours of red and dark blue shirts walked for about 800m to the nomination centre.
PN candidate Dr Mazri Yahya, who is a PAS central committee member, arrived at the centre at about 9am, accompanied by Johor PAS commissioner Abdullah Hussin and a group of supporters.
The EC has set the polling day on Sept 9, with early voting on Sept 5.
The Pulai parliamentary and Simpang Jeram state by-elections were called following the death of former Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub. He died on July 23, due to a brain haemorrhage.
Nur Jazlan expects protest votes from Malays in Pulai by-election
The Pulai Umno chief says Malays in the area are unhappy with the economy and Umno’s cooperation with Pakatan Harapan.
Mohd Farhan Darwis - 23 Aug 2023, 8:15pm
Pulai Umno chief Nur Jazlan Mohamed said non-Malay voters make up the majority in Pulai and need to turn up in force on polling day to balance the dissatisfaction among Malay voters. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA: Pulai Umno chief Nur Jazlan Mohamed expects protest votes from Malays at next month’s Pulai parliamentary by-election.
Speaking to FMT, the Umno Supreme Council member said this could be due to the current economic conditions and dissatisfaction over the party’s cooperation with Pakatan Harapan.
However, Nur Jazlan said the shift in support to Perikatan Nasional would not be as significant as that seen at the recent Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu state elections.
“In Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, there was a genuine voting shift towards PAS so that it could form the state governments,” Nur Jazlan told FMT.
“But in Johor, it will be a protest against various issues.
“I don’t see a ‘(green) wave,’ but I see protest (votes) similar to those in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan – although it may not be enough to secure the Pulai seat.”
PN won 33 of the 36 state seats in Kedah, 43 of the 45 state seats in Kelantan, and all 32 state seats in Terengganu in the Aug 12 state polls.
Non-Malay voters key to victory
Nur Jazlan said the expected protest votes from Malays – who make up 44% of the 166,653 registered voters in the Pulai parliamentary constituency – could be balanced out with the support of the Chinese and Indians, who make up 41% and 12% of the electorate respectively.
“Non-Malay voters make up the majority in Pulai, so they need to turn up (to vote) to balance the dissatisfaction among Malay voters,” he said.
Earlier today, PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin said he expected a commanding win in the Sept 9 Pulai parliamentary by-election if there was a strong turnout from Malay voters.
The coalition named businessman Zulkifli Jaafar of Bersatu as its candidate. Pakatan Harapan will be represented by former Johor state assembly speaker Suhaizan Kaiat.
The seat fell vacant after the death of Salahuddin Ayub, who died in Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah in Alor Setar on July 23 after undergoing surgery for a brain haemorrhage. The Amanah deputy president was also the domestic trade and cost of living minister.
The by-election, and that for the Simpang Jeram state seat, will be held on Sept 9. Salahuddin was also the Simpang Jeram assemblyman.
Suhaizan confident of winning Pulai if voter turnout tops 70%
He says Pakatan Harapan component parties will assist in campaigning and finding ways to encourage more Johor people to cast their votes on Sept 9.
Bernama - 23 Aug 2023, 11:31pm
Former Johor assembly speaker Suhaizan Kaiat said a lower turnout percentage would pose the biggest challenge to PH. (Bernama pic)
JOHOR BAHRU: Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) candidate for the Pulai parliamentary by-election, Suhaizan Kaiat, is confident of winning the seat in the polls next month if the voter turnout exceeds 70%.
The former Johor assembly speaker said a lower turnout percentage would pose the biggest challenge to PH.
Suhaizat, who is also state Amanah vice-chairman, said PH component parties will assist in campaigning and finding ways to encourage the Johor people to cast their votes come Sept 9.
“I have been focusing on the Pulai area for a long time. The community’s response seems positive, so I hope that they will choose the best candidate,” he told reporters after meeting the Indian community at the Arulmigu Raja Mariamman Temple here.
The Pulai Amanah chief said he had met his Umno counterpart, Nur Jazlan Mohamed, recently to seek his assistance in campaigning for the upcoming by-election and mobilising 18,000 Umno members in the area.
When asked about the Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Zulkifli Jaafar, Suhaizan said he would not downplay the challenge posed by his opponent as he respects the Pulai Bersatu deputy chief and hopes for fair competition between them.
The Pulai parliamentary seat and the Simpang Jeram state seat were vacated following the death of the incumbent Salahuddin Ayub on July 23.
The Election Commission has fixed nomination day on Aug 26, early voting on Sept 5 and polling day on Sept 5 for both by-elections.
Pelangai by-election on Oct 7
This follows the tragic death of its assemblyman, Bentong Umno chief Johari Harun, in the plane crash near Bandar Elmina on Aug 17.
FMT Reporters - 24 Aug 2023, 12:20pm
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EC chairman Abdul Ghani Salleh said the nomination of candidates for the by-election will be held on Sept 23, while early voting is set for Oct 3.
PETALING JAYA: The by-election for the Pelangai state seat in Pahang will be held on Oct 7, the Election Commission has announced.
This follows the tragic death of its assemblyman, Bentong Umno chief Johari Harun, in the plane crash near Bandar Elmina in Selangor on Aug 17.
At a press conference at its headquarters this morning, EC chairman Abdul Ghani Salleh said the nomination of candidates for the by-election will be held on Sept 23, while early voting is set for Oct 3.
There will be a campaign period of 14 days.
Johari was among the 10 people killed when a Beechcraft Premier 1 business jet aircraft crashed onto the Guthrie Highway near Bandar Elmina in Shah Alam. He was 53.
A first-term assemblyman, Johari was the Pahang local government, housing, environment and green technology committee chairman.
He won the Pelangai state seat with a 4,048-vote majority against Perikatan Nasional’s Kasim Samad in last November’s general election (GE15).
September 9 twin polls for Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections
EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Salleh speaks during a press conference in Putrajaya August 3, 2023. ― Picture by Miera Zulyana
By R. Loheswar
Thursday, 03 Aug 2023 12:10 PM MYT
PUTRAJAYA, Aug 3 — The Election Commission (EC) today set September 9 as the polling day for by-elections in the parliamentary seat of Pulai as well as the state seat of Simpang Jeram, both of which are in Johor.
Both seats were vacated following the death of its incumbent Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub at Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah in Alor Setar, Kedah nearly three weeks ago.
He was also the domestic trade and cost of living minister and the deputy president of Parti Amanah Negara, the PAS splinter party that he and others formed following a clear-out of the progressive faction from the Islamist party in 2015.
EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Salleh said nomination day has been set for August 26 and early voting on September 5.
“For the P.161 Pulai seat there are 166,653 registered voters comprising 165,700 regular voters, 927 police and 26 overseas voters.
“As for the N.13 SImpang Jeram state seat there are 40,379 comprising 40,373 regular voters and six overseas voters,” he told a news conference at the EC headquarters here.
The budget allocated to hold by-elections is RM6 million.
Those wishing to check their voter status can go to http://mysprsemak.spr.gov.my or check the MySPR app or call the EC hotline at 03-88937018/7218/7124.
Abdul Ghani said the EC encourages voters to go out and cast their ballots and will continue to push its “Jom Kita Mengundi” or “Let's Go Out and Vote” awareness campaign through announcements on social media and banners in strategic locations.
PN fields businessman, surgeon for Pulai, Simpang Jeram polls
Perikatan Nasional names Zulkifli Jaafar and Dr Mazri Yahya to stand in Pulai and Simpang Jeram, respectively.
Predeep Nambiar - 23 Aug 2023, 4:26pm
Businessman Zulkifli Jaafar (left) is also Pulai Bersatu deputy chief while vascular surgeon Dr Mazri Yahya is Johor PAS deputy chief.
PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional has unveiled its candidates for the Sept 9 by-elections for the Pulai parliamentary seat and Simpang Jeram state seat in Johor.
The coalition named businessman Zulkifli Jaafar as its candidate for the Pulai parliamentary seat while vascular surgeon Dr Mazri Yahya will stand in Simpang Jeram.
Their names were announced by PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin at an event in Johor.
Zulkifli is Pulai Bersatu deputy chief, while Mazri is PAS’s state deputy chief.
The seats were previously held by the late Salahuddin Ayub, who was Amanah deputy president and the domestic trade and cost of living minister. He died on July 23 after suffering a brain haemorrhage. He was 61.
Amanah had already unveiled its candidates for the by-elections, with former Johor state assembly speaker Suhaizan Kaiat to stand in Pulai and Nazri Abdul Rahman to contest in Simpang Jeram.
Amanah names Suhaizan, Nazri candidates for Pulai, Simpang Jeram
Saturday, August 19th, 2023 at News | Politics / News
FORMER Johor State Legislative Assembly Speaker Suhaizan Kaiat and Nazri Abdul Rahman have been named Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidates for the Pulai parliamentary and Simpang Jeram state by-elections, respectively.
In announcing the matter, Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu (picture) said both of them are from Amanah and would defend the seats it won in the previous election.
He said their selection was finalised after considering all factors and views from the Candidate Selection Committee for the by-elections, which met on Aug 15 and 17.
“These candidates will be introduced at the ceremony to commemorate the late Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub on Aug 23 at the Simpang Jeram state constituency,” he said in a statement today.
Suhaizan, 50, was the political secretary to the late Salahuddin, who was the Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living and the incumbent of both seats, who died on July 23.
On Aug 3, the Election Commission announced that polling for the Pulai parliamentary and Simpang Jeram state by-elections would be held on Sept 9.
Suhaizan is the Johor Amanah vice-chairman and Pulai Amanah division chief, while Nazri, 56, has served as an engineer for the Muar Municipal Council for 30 years and is the Bakri Amanah division deputy chief. — BERNAMA
3,500 cops to be deployed on Nomination Day for Pulai, Simpang Jeram by-elections
Thursday, 24 Aug 2023
12:35 PM MYT
JOHOR BARU: A total of 3,500 police personnel will be deployed on nomination day for the Pulai parliamentary and Simpang Jeram state seat by-elections in Muar this Saturday (Aug 26).
Johor police chief Comm Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said 2,500 officers and men will be stationed at the Pulai by-election nomination centre and surrounding areas, while the rest in Simpang Jeram.
"All these officers and men , including those in patrol cars, will be deployed to the nomination centres and surrounding areas to monitor and maintain security to ensure that no untoward incidents occur," he told Bernama when contacted, here, on Thursday (Aug 24).
At the same time, Comm Kamarul Zaman advised candidates and political party supporters to obey all instructions and regulations from the police and the Election Commission (EC) throughout the nomination process.
He also reminded candidates and supporters not to cause any provocation and to respect each other.
Meanwhile, he said 927 policemen will vote early in the Pulai parliamentary by-election, but none are involved in early voting in the Simpang Jeram by-election.
Polling is on Sept 9 and early voting on Sept 5 for both by elections.- Bernama
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