2023 Pelangai by-election

Pelangai is a state constituency in the Malaysian state of Pahang, and one of the four constituencies in the federal constituency of Bentong.{{cite web |last1=Alagesh |first1=T.N. |title=Multiracial Pelangai folks get into by-election mode |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/09/951747/multiracial-pelangai-folks-get-election-mode |website=nst.com.my |access-date=9 September 2023 |date=6 September 2023}} As of August 2023, Supplementary Electoral Roll used by Election Commission (EC) for this by-election, Pelangai has 16,456 eligible registered voters, including 36 voters from the police force and 3 abroad voters.{{cite web |last1=Povera |first1=Adib |title=EC set Oct 7 as polling day for Pelangai by-election |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/08/946732/ec-set-oct-7-polling-day-pelangai-election |website=nst.com.my |access-date=9 September 2023 |date=24 August 2023}}

The incumbent, Johari had held the seat for only 9 months since the 15th General Election on 19 November 2022, representing the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party under the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition. The UMNO Youth Chief for Bentong, he had replaced former Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob, who has held the seat since elected in 1986 until his retirement in 2022. Johari won the seat in the 2022 Pahang state election, defeating 3 other candidates with 4,048 votes majority over his nearest rival. He had been the Pahang EXCO member for the portfolio of local government, housing, environment, and green technology until his death.

Candidates nomination day was announced by Election Commission (EC) to be on 23 September 2023. BN has stated that it would nominate its candidate to defend the seat,{{cite web |last1=Han Sean |first1=Ong |title=Barisan will contest Pelangai by-election, says Bentong Umno leader |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/08/22/barisan-will-contest-pelangai-by-election-says-bentong-umno-leader |website=The Star |access-date=10 September 2023 |language=en |date=22 August 2023}}{{cite web |author1=Mohd Farhan Darwis |author2=Mohamad Fadli |title=BN to defend Pelangai seat in by-election |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2023/08/24/bn-to-contest-in-pelangai-by-election/ |website=Free Malaysia Today |access-date=10 September 2023 |date=24 August 2023}} and Perikatan Nasional (PN) also confirmed its intention to contest.{{cite web |author1=Bernama |title=Pahang Perikatan confirms contesting in Pelangai by-election |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/08/24/pahang-perikatan-confirms-contesting-in-pelangai-by-election |website=The Star |access-date=10 September 2023 |language=en |date=24 August 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Alagesh |first1=T.N. |title=Pahang PN has identified Pelangai by-election candidate |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2023/09/951797/pahang-pn-has-identified-pelangai-election-candidate |website=nst.com.my |access-date=10 September 2023 |date=6 September 2023}} Pakatan Harapan (PH), the other major party in the country, decided not to contest this by-election, instead helping to campaign on behalf of its partner in the federal and state government, BN.{{cite web |author1=Mohd Iskandar Ibrahim |author2=Mohd Nasaruddin Parzi |title=DAP machinery launch to ensure PH-BN victory in Pelangai by-election |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2023/09/953448/dap-machinery-launch-ensure-ph-bn-victory-pelangai-election |website=nst.com.my |access-date=23 September 2023 |date=10 September 2023}} On the nomination day, 3 candidates were accepted: Amizar Abu Adam from BN, Kasim Samat from PN, and Haslihelmy DM Zulhasli as an independent candidate.{{cite web |author1=Bernama |title=Three-cornered fight for Pelangai |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/09/23/three-cornered-fight-for-pelangai |website=The Star |access-date=23 September 2023 |language=en |date=23 September 2023}}

Amizar was announced as the BN candidate on 20 September, by the UMNO Vice President, UMNO Pahang Chief and Pahang Menteri Besar, Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.{{cite web |last1=Nordin |first1=Amir Hamzah |title=Pahang BN picks Amizar for Pelangai state seat |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2023/09/957788/pahang-bn-picks-amizar-pelangai-state-seat |website=nst.com.my |access-date=21 September 2023 |date=20 September 2023}} Amizar, an UMNO Bentong Committee member, had previously contested in Ketari in the 2022 Pahang state election but lost by a slim majority of 120 votes.

On the same day as Amizar's announcement, PN's candidate Kasim Samat was announced by PAS Deputy President, Dato' Sri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.{{cite web |last1=Alagesh |first1=T.N. |title=Cikgu Kasim once again picked as Pas candidate for Pelangai by-election |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2023/09/957791/cikgu-kasim-once-again-picked-pas-candidate-pelangai-election |website=nst.com.my |access-date=21 September 2023 |date=20 September 2023}} The PAS Bentong Vice Chief and former teacher, Kasim was re-nominated after losing to Johari in the same seat 9 months earlier.

Haslihelmy DM Zulhasli, the president for NGO Pertubuhan Suara Anak Pahang (PSAP) is the first person to announce his intention to contest as independent on 29 August.{{cite web |last1=YUSOF |first1=NORAWAZNI |title=PSAP president runs as independent in Pelangai by-election |url=https://www.sinardaily.my/article/206458/malaysia/politics/psap-president-runs-as-independent-in-pelangai-by-election |website=Sinar Daily |access-date=21 September 2023 |language=en |date=29 August 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Alagesh |first1=T.N. |title=Indie candidate set to join Pelangai by-election race, seven nomination forms sold so far |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2023/09/957126/indie-candidate-set-join-pelangai-election-race-%C2%A0seven-nomination-forms |website=nst.com.my |access-date=21 September 2023 |date=19 September 2023}} A businessman born in Pelangai, he was an UMNO member for 15 years.{{cite web |last1=YUSOF |first1=NORAWAZNI |title=Haslihelmy nekad bertanding di DUN Pelangai |url=https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/279756/berita/politik/haslihelmy-nekad-bertanding-di-dun-pelangai |website=Sinar Harian |access-date=21 September 2023 |language=ms |date=19 September 2023}} His motivation to contest the election is to bring the local and youth voice to the State Assembly, and also in protest of UMNO's choice of Amizar as its candidate for the by-election.{{cite web |last1=YUSOF |first1=NORAWAZNI |title=By-election: Haslihelmy contesting solo to protest against BN’s recycled candidate |url=https://www.sinardaily.my/article/208746/malaysia/politics/by-election-haslihelmy-contesting-solo-to-protest-against-bns-recycled-candidate |website=Sinar Daily |access-date=23 September 2023 |language=en |date=23 September 2023}} Haslihelmy's decision to contest in the by-election resulted on his UMNO membership being terminated on the nomination day.{{cite web |last1=Yusry |first1=Muhammad |title=Pelangai by-election candidate Haslihelmy out of Umno, says Zahid |url=https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/pelangai-election-candidate-haslihelmy-umno-061353838.html |website=Malay Mail via Yahoo News |access-date=23 September 2023 |language=en-MY |date=23 September 2023}}

The key dates are listed below.

{{MASelec/top|Pahang|7 October 2023|Pelangai (state constituency)|Pelangai|by=yes|percent=yes|change=yes|reason=Upon the death of incumbent, Johari Harun}}

{{MASelec|Barisan Nasional|Amizar Abu Adam|7,324|62.35|+4.64}}

{{MASelec|Perikatan Nasional|Kasim Samat|4,375|37.25|+11.51}}

{{MASelec|Independent politician|Haslihelmey DM Zulhasli|47|0.40|+0.40}}

{{MASelec/total|Total valid votes|11,746|100.00}}

{{MASelec/total|Total rejected ballots|120|}}

{{MASelec/total|Unreturned ballots|2|}}

{{MASelec/total|Turnout|11,868|72.12}}

{{MASelec/total|Registered electors|16,456|}}

{{MASelec/total|Majority|2,949|}}

{{MASelec/hold|Barisan Nasional|}}

{{MASelec/source|||}}

{{end}}

{{MASelec/top|Pahang|2022|Pelangai (state constituency)|Pelangai|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{MASelec|Barisan Nasional|Johari Harun|7,308|57.71|}}

{{MASelec|Perikatan Nasional|Kasim Samat|3,260|25.74|}}

{{MASelec|Pakatan Harapan|Ahmed Wafiuddin Shamsuri|2,031|16.04|}}

{{MASelec|Homeland Fighter's Party|Isa Ahmad|65|0.51|}}

{{MASelec/total|Total valid votes|12,664| 100.00}}

{{MASelec/total|Total rejected ballots|164|}}

{{MASelec/total|Unreturned ballots|18|}}

{{MASelec/total|Turnout|12,846|}}

{{MASelec/total|Registered electors|16,371|}}

{{MASelec/total|Majority|4,048|}}

{{MASelec/hold|Barisan Nasional|}}

{{end}}

Amizar, the winner of the by-election, were sworn in as the new MLA for Pelangai on 13 February 2024, 4 months after his victory, before the Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Abdullah at Istana Abdulaziz.{{cite web |author1=Bernama |title=Pelangai state assemblyman sworn in as new Pahang exco member |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/02/13/pelangai-state-assemblyman-sworn-in-as-new-pahang-exco-member/117858 |website=Malay Mail |access-date=10 June 2024 |language=en |date=13 February 2024}} The following day, Pahang MB, Wan Rosdy announced reshuffling of the State EXCO portfolios, in which Amizar was appointed EXCO of Felda Affairs, Cooperatives and Entrepreneurs.{{cite web |last1=Reporters |first1=F. M. T. |title=Pahang restructures 3 exco portfolios |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2024/02/14/pahang-restructures-3-exco-portfolios/ |website=Free Malaysia Today |access-date=10 June 2024 |language=en |date=14 February 2024}}

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Category:2023 elections in Malaysia

Category:By-elections in Malaysia

Category:Elections in Pahang