2019 Tanjung Piai by-election

2019 Tanjung Piai by-election

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P165 Tanjung Piai seat in the Dewan Rakyat
First party Second party Third party   BN PH GERAKAN Candidate Wee Jeck Seng Karmaine Sardini Wendy Subramaniam Party MCA BERSATU GERAKAN Alliance BN PH Popular vote 25,466 10,380 1,707 Percentage 65.60% 26.74% 4.40%   Fourth party Fifth party Sixth party   BERJASA IND IND Candidate Badhrulhisham Abd Aziz Ang Chuan Lock Faridah Aryani Abd Ghaffar Party BERJASA Independent Independent Alliance GS Popular vote 850 380 32 Percentage 2.19% 0.98% 0.08%
P165 Tanjung Piai federal constituency border and its corresponding state assembly seats.
MP before election Md Farid Md Rafik (died) Pakatan Harapan (BERSATU) Elected MP Wee Jeck Seng Barisan Nasional (MCA)

The 2019 Tanjung Piai by-election was a by-election held on 16 November 2019 for the Dewan Rakyat seat of Tanjung Piai. It was called following the death of incumbent, Md Farid Md Rafik on 21 September 2019.^[1][2]

The late Md Farid, a member from the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU) of Pakatan Harapan (PH) was first elected as Member of Parliament (MP) for Tanjung Piai in Johor defeating the then incumbent Wee Jeck Seng from the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) of Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition and Nordin Othman from the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Front (BERJASA), which contested under the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) banner through the Gagasan Sejahtera with a slim majority of 524 votes in 2018 general election (GE14).^[3] He was then appointed as Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department for National Unity and Social Well-being.^[4]

The Election Commission (EC) had set the polling day for 16 November 2019, early voting on 12 November and nomination day on 2 November with a 14-day campaign period.^[5]

The electoral roll in the parliamentary constituency to be used would be the one up to the second quarter of 2019 which was last updated on 23 September 2019 with a total of 52,986 voters made up of 52,698 ordinary voters, 280 early voters while 8 absentee voters (who are abroad).^[6] Tanjung Piai is a racially-mixed seat with 57% Malays, 42% Chinese and 1% Indian.^[7]

The by-election, the ninth since GE14 will be the first for election in Malaysia in which 18-year-olds and above can contest in an election as a result of the new constitutional amendment. However, voters who haven't achieved 21-years-old aren't eligible to vote in this by-election.^[8]

BN's Wee Jeck Seng had won the by-election by a landslide majority of 15,086 votes to return to be the MP for Tanjung Piai again but as an Opposition. BN had claimed 25,466 votes to wrest back the seat they lost in last GE14 from PH which only claimed 10,380 votes.^[9]

BERSATU's heavy defeat in this by-election contributed to Muhyiddin Yassin's decision to pull BERSATU out of Pakatan Harapan in February 2020, resulting in the Sheraton Move. All 4 parties that participated in this election (MCA, BERSATU, GERAKAN and BERJASA) later became member parties or allied parties of Perikatan Nasional in 2020.

Nomination

PH deputy president and Johor state chairman Muhyiddin Yassin said the coalition will discuss on the strategy and candidate for the by-election in a meeting on 4 October.^[10][11] BERSATU was expected to decide the candidate to defend the seat for PH;^[12][13] with the full support of other PH component parties; National Trust Party (AMANAH), Democratic Action Party (DAP) and People's Justice Party (PKR) which had indicated their endorsements.^[14][15][16] Karmaine Sardini, the 66-year-old architect-businessman and Tanjung Piai BERSATU chief, who had lost to BN's Ahmad Maslan in the adjacent Pontian constituency by a slim majority in the GE14 was picked as the PH's candidate on 28 October.^[17]

BN component parties were reported jostling for the seat soon after it was vacant.^[18][19][20] United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) said that it will discuss with other BN counterparts on the candidate for the by-election.^[21] MCA had also announced that they are ready to contest to wrest back the seat.^[22] BN and UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi anyway has hinted that UMNO might contest the by-election.^[23] Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) has insisted that MCA should be retained to contest the seat instead of UMNO representing BN.^[24] BN had finally chosen Wee Jeck Seng, the 55-year-old Tanjung Piai MCA chief and former two-term Tanjung Piai MP until he had lost narrowly to PH in GE14, as their candidate again to recapture the seat back in the by-election.^[25]

President of Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (GERAKAN), Dominic Lau has confirmed that the party has decided contesting the by-election after sitting out the previous eight by-election.^[26] GERAKAN had named its deputy secretary general, Wendy Subramaniam, who is a 38-year-old lawyer of mixed Indian-Chinese parentage from Johor Bahru as their candidate for the by-election.^[27] It will be contesting using its own logo back again since 1969 and after it left the BN in 2018 which saw the coalition GE14 downfall.^[28]

President of BERJASA which candidate had contested the last general election under the PAS ticket, Badhrulhisham Abdul Aziz had urged the BN to nominate a Malay-Muslim candidate based on the spirit of UMNO-PAS pact of Muafakat Nasional.^[29] It even offered to nominate a credible BERJASA Malay candidate for the by election.^[30] Following the lack of Malay candidate alternatives in the by-election, BERJASA has confirmed their candidacy for the by-election on their own ticket^[31] and their 56-year-old party president, Badhrulhisham Abdul Aziz as their candidate for the by-election

PAS vice-president Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah had stated PAS will support BN candidate^[32] and its former secretary-general Mustafa Ali even proposed MCA to contest the seat.^[33] PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has reaffirmed its supports and commitments to campaign for BN even the candidate is from MCA despite the just inked Piagam Muafakat Nasional (National Cooperation Charter) of UMNO-PAS pact.^[34]

President of Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (PUTRA), Ibrahim Ali had initially said that PUTRA will field a candidate in Tanjung Piai if the contesting parties field non-Malay candidates.^[35] Somehow PUTRA decided not to contest the Tanjung Piai by-election as to focus on its preparations for the next general election.^[36]

The Gabungan Teksi Se-Malaysia (GTSM) announced that they will field Shamsubahrin Ismail who is the Big Blue Taxi founder as an independent candidate in the by-election to represent the public transport community.^[37] Unfortunately, he did not file his nomination papers during Nomination Day as he suffered a heart attack and was replaced with a single mother, Faridah Aryani Abd Ghaffar.^[38]

On Nomination Day, 6 candidates including PH's Karmaine, BN's Wee, GERAKAN's Wendy, BERJASA's Badhrulhisham and two independents – Ang Chuan Lock (key logo), 49, tuition centres operator and Faridah Aryani Abd Ghaffar (car logo), 45, a social auditor have registered and has set for a six-cornered fight in the Tanjung Piai polls.^[39]

Controversies and issues

UMNO and MCA had expressed their dissatisfaction over EC setting the by-election nomination and polling dates on 2 and 16 November respectively, which will coincide with earlier planned annual general meeting's (AGM) of both parties; MCA's on 2–3 November and UMNO's on 13–16 November.^[40][41] EC in expressing its regret had clarified it was not deliberate and was unavoidable because of the forthcoming Deepavali public holiday on 27 October.^[42][43] Both the parties had decided to defer their AGM to avoid clashing with the by-election crucial dates.^[44][45]

DAP vice-chairperson M. Kulasegaran, who is also Human Resources Minister, in a statement refuting allegations of his connection to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militant group, has linked accusations that DAP supports the LTTE to the forth coming Tanjung Piai by-election.^[46] He also called on the police to investigate such fake news went viral on social media which following earlier police arrest and detention of seven individuals, including DAP's Malacca state exco cum assemblyman for Gadek G. Saminathan and Negeri Sembilan state assemblyman for Seremban Jaya P. Gunasekaran, over alleged links to the LTTE.^[47] PUTRA's president Ibrahim Ali also had claimed the agenda of the LTTE issue is to attract the Malay votes in the by-election.^[48]

Johor UMNO chief Hasni Mohammad had said that hopefully there wouldn't be a second by-election the next coming year in relation to the PH candidate's elderly age.^[49] Hasni was condemned by BERSATU for mocking the PH candidate's age and predicting his lifespan.^[50]

Results

Results according to polling districts

BN won all polling districts and post and early votes.

Previous Result

Note: Nordin Othman was a candidate of BERJASA, who had contested under the PAS banner through the Gagasan Sejahtera pact.^[51]

Aftermath

After the Sheraton Move, Wee Jeck Seng was appointed as Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities I in both cabinets of Muhyiddin Yassin and Ismail Sabri Yaakob. He eventually successfully retained his parliamentary seat in the 2022 general election.

References

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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 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