2019 Rantau by-election

{{Infobox election

| election_name = 2019 Rantau by-election

| country = Negeri Sembilan

| type = legislative

| ongoing = no

| previous_election = 2018 Negeri Sembilan state election

| previous_year = 2018

| next_election = 2023 Negeri Sembilan state election

| next_year = 2023

| seats_for_election = N27 Rantau seat in the Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly

| election_date = 13 April 2019

| image1 = Tok_Mat_with_Ambassador_McFeeters.jpg

| image1_size = 100px

| candidate1 = Mohamad Hasan

| party1 = UMNO

| alliance1 = BN

| color1 = 000080

| popular_vote1 = 10,397

| percentage1 = 63.22%

| image2 = PH

| candidate2 = Streram Sinnasamy

| party2 = PKR

| alliance2 = PH

| color2 = ED1C24

| popular_vote2 = 5,887

| percentage2 = 35.80%

| image4 = IND

| candidate4 = Malar Rajaram

| party4 = Independent (politician)

| popular_vote4 = 83

| percentage4 = 0.50%

| image5 = IND

| candidate5 = Mohd Nor Yasin

| party5 = Independent (politician)

| popular_vote5 = 79

| percentage5 = 0.48%

| title = MLA

| before_election = Mohamad Hasan (nullified)

| before_party = Barisan Nasional (UMNO)

| after_election = Mohamad Hasan

| after_party = Barisan Nasional (UMNO)

| map_image = PRK Rantau result map.svg

| map_size =

| map_alt =

| map =

| map_caption = N27 Rantau state constituency border and the districts included within the constituency.

}}

File:Rantau DUN, Rembau.svg state constituency boundaries within the P131 {{pseat|Rembau}} parliamentary constituency in Negeri Sembilan.]]

A by-election was held on 13 April 2019 for the Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly seat of Rantau.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/03/06/rantau-byelection-set-for-apr-13/|title=Rantau by-election set for April 13|work=The Star Online|author= Mazwin Nik Anis |date=6 March 2019|access-date=6 March 2019}} The seat became vacant after the uncontested election of incumbent Mohamad Hasan of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), a component of Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition was declared null and void.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/02/18/byelection-called-for-rantau/|title=Mohamad Hasan's appeal dismissed; Rantau by-election to go on|work=The Star Online|date=18 February 2019|access-date=18 February 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/11/16/court-orders-fresh-election-for-rantau-seat/|title=Court orders fresh election for Rantau seat|author=V Anbalagan|date=16 November 2018|publisher=Free Malaysia Today|access-date=18 February 2019|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330110348/https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/11/16/court-orders-fresh-election-for-rantau-seat/|url-status=dead}}

In the 2018 elections, Mohamad Hasan, the 3-term former Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan won the seat uncontested after People's Justice Party (PKR)’s candidate Dr Streram Sinnansamy was not allowed to enter the Nomination Centre to file his papers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/04/29/mohamad-hasan-returned-unopposed-threeterm-mb-wins-after-sole-challenger-denied-entry-into-nominatio/|title= Mohamad Hasan returned unopposed|date=2018-04-19|publisher=The Star Online |website=thestar.com.my|access-date=2019-02-18}} However, the Election Court has on the 16 November 2018, allowed the petition by Dr S. Streram and passed a ruling that Mohamad Hasan had not been duly elected.{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/11/16/rantau-results-invalid-court-orders-by-election/|title=Rantau by-election on after court invalidates BN win - Nation|date=16 November 2018|publisher=The Star Online|website=www.thestar.com.my|access-date=18 February 2019}} A fresh election was called to be held after Mohamad Hasan's appeal was dismissed by the Federal Court on 18 February 2019.

The nomination day was on 30 March, with a about 2-week campaigning period until election day. The constituency has 20,926 registered voters- 20,804 ordinary voters, 118 early voters and four absentee voters.{{cite news|url=http://www.orientaldaily.com.my/s/286031|title=【晏斗補選】印裔票及游離票左右選情|website=東方日報|language=zh-my|date=2019-04-08}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.thesundaily.my/local/nomination-process-for-rantau-by-election-begins-IA736846|title=Nomination process for Rantau by-election begins|publisher=The Sun Daily|work=Bernama|date=30 March 2019|access-date=30 March 2019}}

Barisan Nasional's Mohamad Hasan won the by-election with a 4,510 majority and retained the seat again.{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/04/13/tok-mat-wins-rantau-byelection-with-a-4510-vote-majority/|title=Tok Mat wins Rantau by-election with a 4,510 vote majority|date=13 April 2019|work=The Star Online|access-date=13 April 2019}} It was the third consecutive by-election victory for the BN coalition. The other two being the Cameron Highlands and Semenyih by-elections.

Nominations

The UMNO acting president Mohamad Hasan declared he is ready to defend the Rantau seat again,{{Cite news|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/02/18/tok-mat-ive-long-been-ready-for-rantau-by-election/1724157|title=Tok Mat: I've long been ready for Rantau by-election |publisher=The Malay Mail|author=Zurairi AR|date=18 February 2019|access-date=18 February 2019}} after the Federal Court upheld an Election Court's ruling to nullify the result of him winning the seat unopposed in the last general election.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thethirdforce.net/rantau-by-election-umno-number-two-to-defend-state-seat/|title=Rantau by-election: UMNO number two to defend state seat|publisher=The Third Force|author=Raggie Jessy Rithaudeen |date=18 February 2019|access-date=18 February 2019}}

Meanwhile, Dr S. Streram, an anaesthetist who is the Rembau PKR deputy chief, said he would leave the candidacy to the party leadership and vowed not to contest as an independent if he was not selected as candidate for the Rantau by-election.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2019/02/462173/rantau-election-dr-streram-vows-not-contest-independent-if-not-selected|title=Rantau by-election: Dr Streram vows not to contest as independent if not selected|publisher=New Straits Times |work=Bernama |date=21 February 2019|access-date=21 February 2019}} On 11 March 2019, he was chosen as the PH candidate for the by-election.{{Cite news|url=https://m.malaysiakini.com/news/467476|title=PKR's Streram to get another shot at Rantau|publisher=Malaysiakini|date=11 March 2019|access-date=11 March 2019}}

PKR member and businessman, Hazan Khalid initially decided on 27 March 2019 that he would contest as an independent candidate after he disagreed with the candidacy of Dr S. Streram, as the PH candidate.{{Cite news|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/469809|title=Disappointed with Harapan's pick, businessman to join race for Rantau|publisher=Malaysiakini|date=27 March 2019|access-date=27 March 2019}} However he didn't turn up to file his papers on Nomination Day.

On Nomination Day, alongside Mohamad Hasan and Dr S. Streram, two independents, retired teacher Mohd Nor Yasin (pen logo) and housewife Malar Rajaram (tree logo) submitted their papers. The EC confirmed a four-cornered fight for the by-election.{{Cite news|url=https://m.malaysiakini.com/news/470123|title=Confirmed! Four-cornered fight in Rantau by-election|publisher=Malaysiakini|date=30 March 2019|access-date=30 March 2019}}

Controversies and issues

Dr S. Streram was alleged to borrowed and failed to repay Segamat Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Dr R. Santhara Kumar a debt of RM60,000 for his child's education which he claimed that he had repaid the debt in full.{{Cite news|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/03/10/accused-to-have-failed-to-repay-debt-streram-to-refer-to-pkr-leadership/1731155|title=Accused to have failed to repay debt, Streram to refer to PKR leadership|publisher=The Malay Mail|work=Bernama|date=10 March 2019|access-date=13 March 2019}} PH chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that Dr S. Streram was selected as candidate as he is not a bankrupt and PH is upholding its principles as Dr S. Streram was denied from a fair contest in the 14th general election.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2019/03/468396/dr-m-despite-debt-dispute-streram-eligible-contest-rantau-seat|title=Dr M: Despite debt dispute, Streram eligible to contest Rantau seat|publisher=New Straits Times|author= Syed Umar Ariff |date=12 March 2019|access-date=13 March 2019}}

Mohamad Hasan told the public to look into his past contributions before calling him a racist. Mohamad's past speeches which purportedly touch on vernacular schools and remarks describing non-Malays were which alleged to be racists and has sparked outrage among the public.{{Cite news|url=https://m.malaysiakini.com/news/469409|title=Look at my track record before calling me a racist - Mat Hasan|publisher=Malaysiakini|date=25 March 2019|access-date=25 March 2019}}

Independent candidate, Mohd Nor Yassin had been confirmed to be a member of National Trust Party (AMANAH). The party planned to expel him from the party for contesting as an independent and not supporting the PH Candidate.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/03/30/amanah-wants-to-expel-rantau-indie-candidate-from-party/#SBfv7XM52uMxGzW7.01|title=Amanah wants to expel Rantau indie candidate from party|work=The Star Online|date=30 March 2019|access-date=30 March 2019}} Mohd Nor Yassin was also the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) candidate for the state constituency of Gemencheh during the 2013 general election. He was expelled from AMANAH on the same day.{{Cite news|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/03/30/amanah-sacks-rantau-indie-from-party/1738147|title=Amanah sacks Rantau indie from party|publisher=Malay Mail|date=30 March 2019|access-date=31 March 2019}}

Former Malacca Chief Minister, Idris Haron promised in a campaign speech that if BN won the by-election, they will provide two goats for a feast. EC Chairman, Azhar Harun, has confirmed that it's an election offense.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/04/03/idris-goat-feast-promise-treated-as-an-offence/#8QFjxJwSigPO8mRp.99|title=Idris' 'goat feast' promise treated as an offence|work=The Star Online|date=3 April 2019|access-date=3 April 2019}}

A provocation banner displaying sensitive and racism messages has been hung up in the Rantau area. Mohamad Hasan, the BN candidate has denied claims of BN hanging the banner.{{Cite news|url=https://m.malaysiakini.com/news/471119|title='Don't vote Keling' banner in Rantau - Mat Hasan denies it's BN|publisher=Malaysiakini|author=Zikri Kamarulzaman|date=6 April 2019|access-date=6 April 2019}} Streram meanwhile lodged a police report on the matter.{{Cite news|url=https://www.msn.com/en-my/news/national/rantau-racist-banners-cause-stir-streram-to-lodge-police-report/ar-BBVFQ5u?ocid=st|title=Rantau: 'Racist' banners cause stir; Streram to lodge police report|work=New Straits Times|author=Adrian Lai|date=6 April 2019|access-date=7 April 2019}}

A case involving an RM10 million being remitted and transferred through a money changer by Mohamad to buy a luxury apartment in London has been brought up by the Speaker of the Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly.{{Cite news|url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2019/04/11/rafizi-questions-tok-mats-rm10-mil-transfer-to-buy-london-property/|title=Rafizi questions Tok Mat's RM10 mil transfer to buy London property|work=Bernama|publisher=Free Malaysia Today|date=11 April 2019|access-date=12 April 2019|archive-date=11 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411201421/https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2019/04/11/rafizi-questions-tok-mats-rm10-mil-transfer-to-buy-london-property/|url-status=dead}} Mohamad however has denied claims of any wrongdoing by him.{{Cite news|url=https://m.malaysiakini.com/news/471221|title=Mat Hasan denies wrongdoing in RM10m transfer|publisher=Malaysiakini|author=Zikri Kamarulzaman |date=7 April 2019|access-date=9 April 2019}} Mohamad was asked to explain the reason he used a money changer instead of a bank to transfer RM10 million and also his connection on a RM6 million Minangkabau design bungalow in Seremban.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/04/10/calls-to-probe-mohamad/|title=Calls to probe Mohamad|work=The Star Online|author=Sarban Singh, Fatimah Zainal and Yimie Yong|date=10 April 2019|access-date=13 April 2019}}

A video emerged of five individuals in clothing bearing PH logos searching a police car on polling day as they suspected extra ballot boxes were being ferried in the vehicle, but their search only turned up to be false alarm.{{Cite news|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/472261|title=PKR to discipline members involved in brawl, search on police car|publisher=Malaysiakini|date=14 April 2019|access-date=14 April 2019}}

Meanwhile, arguments and physical fights among the PKR machinery members had erupted at the PH's Rantau command centre following unofficial reports of its candidate Dr S. Streram's defeat in the Rantau by-election. The incident was said to be happened because of misunderstanding and disagreement over the machinery payment.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/04/13/heated-words-punches-thrown-in-pakatan-rantau-command-centre/|title=Heated words, punches thrown in Pakatan's Rantau command centre |work=The Star Online|author=Fatimah Zainal|date=13 April 2019|access-date=13 April 2019}}

Results

{{MASelec/top|Negeri Sembilan|2019|Rantau (state constituency)|Rantau|by=yes|percent=yes|change=yes|reason=Upon the nullification of the incumbent, Mohamad Hasan}}

{{MASelec/source|hide=1. {{cite web|url=http://www.spr.gov.my/ms/pilihan-raya-kecil-n27-rantau|title=Keputusan Pilihan Raya Kecil N.27 Rantau|date=2019-04-13|publisher=Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya Malaysia|access-date=2019-05-23|archive-date=2020-10-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028001547/https://www.spr.gov.my/ms/pilihan-raya-kecil-n27-rantau|url-status=dead}}}}

=Results according to polling districts=

style="width:30px;"\|Voting District Code ! style="width:100px;"\|Voting District ! style="width:75px;"\|Party
class ="wikitable sortable"
131/27/01	Kampong Sendayan	bgcolor="{{Barisan Nasional/meta/shading}}"\| BN
131/27/02	Sendayan	bgcolor="{{Barisan Nasional/meta/shading}}"\| BN
131/27/03	Taman Kelab Tuanku	bgcolor="{{Barisan Nasional/meta/shading}}"\| BN
131/27/04	Kampung Mambau	bgcolor="{{Barisan Nasional/meta/shading}}" \| BN
131/27/05	Kampung Bemban	bgcolor="{{Barisan Nasional/meta/shading}}" \| BN
131/27/06	Kuala Sawah	bgcolor="{{Barisan Nasional/meta/shading}}" \| BN
131/27/07	Kampong Sri Lalang	bgcolor="{{Barisan Nasional/meta/shading}}" \| BN
131/27/08	Kampong Sega	bgcolor="{{Barisan Nasional/meta/shading}}"\| BN
131/27/09	Pekan Sagga	bgcolor="{{Barisan Nasional/meta/shading}}" \| BN
131/27/10	Rantau	bgcolor="{{Barisan Nasional/meta/shading}}" \| BN
131/27/11	Linsum	bgcolor="{{Barisan Nasional/meta/shading}}" \| BN
131/27/12	Kampung Siliau	bgcolor="{{Barisan Nasional/meta/shading}}" \| BN
131/27/13	Angsa Emas	bgcolor="{{Barisan Nasional/meta/shading}}" \| BN
131/27/14	Bandar Ekar	bgcolor="{{Pakatan Harapan/meta/shading}}" \| PH

Early and post votes

class ="wikitable sortable"
style="width:100px;"\|Voting District ! style="width:75px;"\|Party
Post Vote	bgcolor="{{Barisan Nasional/meta/shading}}"\| BN
Early Vote	bgcolor="{{Barisan Nasional/meta/shading}}"\| BN

class ="wikitable sortable"

style="width:100px;"|Voting District

! style="width:75px;"|Party

Post Vote

bgcolor="{{Barisan Nasional/meta/shading}}"| BN

Early Vote

bgcolor="{{Barisan Nasional/meta/shading}}"| BN

Previous results

{{MASelec/top|Negeri Sembilan|2018|Rantau (state constituency)|Rantau|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{MASelec/note|On the nomination day, Mohamad Hasan won uncontested.{{Cite web|url=https://election.thestar.com.my/negerisembilan.html|title=14th General Election Malaysia (GE14 / PRU14) - Negeri Sembilan|website=election.thestar.com.my|publisher=The Star Online|access-date=2018-05-12}}|}}

{{MASelec/top|Negeri Sembilan|2013|Rantau (state constituency)|Rantau|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{MASelec|People's Justice Party (Malaysia)|Aisah Lamsah|5,513|35.25|+1.42}}

{{MASelec/source|hide={{cite web|url=http://www.federalgazette.agc.gov.my/outputp/pub_20130426_Borang%208%20-%20DUN%20Negeri%20Sembilan%20(gazet).pdf|title=Federal Government Gazette - Notice of Contested Election, State Legislative Assembly for the State of Negeri Sembilan [P.U. (B) 193/2013]|date=26 April 2013|publisher=Attorney General's Chambers of Malaysia|access-date=2016-05-21}}{{Dead link|date=June 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

{{cite web|url=http://www.federalgazette.agc.gov.my/outputp/pub_20130522_Borang%2016%20Dun%20-%20N%209.pdf|title=Federal Government Gazette - Results of Contested Election and Statements of the Poll after the Official Addition of Votes, State Constituencies for the State of Negeri Sembilan [P.U. (B) 234/2013]|date=22 May 2013|publisher=Attorney General's Chambers of Malaysia|access-date=2016-05-21}}{{Dead link|date=June 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}||}}

References

Category:2019 elections in Malaysia

Category:By-elections in Malaysia

Category:Elections in Negeri Sembilan