2020 Slim by-election

2020 Slim by-election

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N58 Slim seat in the Perak State Legislative Assembly
Majority party Minority party Third party   BN IND IND Candidate Mohd Zaidi Aziz Amir Khusyairi Mohd Tanusi Santharasekaran Subramaniam Party UMNO Independent Independent Alliance BN-MN-PN PEJUANG-PH Popular vote 13,060 2,115 276 Percentage 84.53% 13.69% 1.78%
MLA before election Mohd. Khusairi Abdul Talib (died) Barisan Nasional (UMNO) Elected MLA Mohd Zaidi Aziz Barisan Nasional (UMNO)

A by-election was held on 29 August 2020 for the seat of Slim in the Perak State Legislative Assembly.^[1] The seat fell vacant following the sudden death of the incumbent Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) of the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, Mohd. Khusairi Abdul Talib, 59, due to a heart attack on 15 July 2020. He had held the seat for four terms since 2004.^[2]

The Election Commission (EC) had set the nomination day on 15 August 2020, early voting on 25 August and polling day for 29 August with a 14-day campaign period.^[1][3][4]

Background

The small town of Slim River in Perak has a population of 27,139 residents comprising Malays (74 per cent), Indians (12 per cent), Chinese (10 per cent), Orang Asli (1.4 per cent) and others.^[6] The corresponding Slim state constituency has 23,094 registered voters comprising 22,815 normal voters, 277 early voters as well as 2 absentee voters overseas.^[7] The by-election to be conducted under the special guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) imposed by EC due to the New Normal as the country is still observing the recovery phase of Movement Control Order (MCO) for COVID-19 pandemic.^[8][9]

The by-election is unlikely to affect the Perak state political scene, as the results of by-election would has no bearing on the position of the state government amidst the looming talks of snap elections following the 2020 political crisis. There are 59 state seats in Perak in which 32 formed the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition comprising 25 BN (UMNO), 4 BERSATU and 3 PAS; compare to 24 seats holds by Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition comprising 16 DAP, 5 AMANAH, 3 PKR; meanwhile 2 Independent and 1 GERAKAN; as just upon the seat vacancy.^[10] One of the independent assemblyman, Hasnul Zulkarnain Abdul Munaim, 2 weeks later joined PN's component BERSATU on 29 July 2020.^[11]

Nominations

Perak Menteri Besar and BERSATU chief, Ahmad Faizal Azumu has said that Perikatan Nasional (PN) will field a candidate from UMNO to defend the Slim state seat in the by-election.^[12] Barisan Nasional (BN) secretary-general Annuar Musa said UMNO will pick the candidate for the Slim by-election, in which BN with Muafakat Nasional (MN)'s UMNO-PAS and BERSATU together will set up a joined committee named Muafakat Nasional 'Plus'.^[13] BN has named acting Tanjung Malim UMNO chief Mohd Zaidi Aziz, 43, as its candidate for the Slim state by-election.^[14]

Pakatan Harapan (PH) secretariat secretary Saifuddin Nasution Ismail had confirmed that PH will not be contesting the by-election for the Slim state seat.^[15] PH is to make way to former BERSATU chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s faction to contest instead.^[16] Ahead of the by-election, Dr Mahathir has announces the formation by the initially dubbed "BERSATU Blackout" faction's new party, Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) or the Fighters of the Nation Party.^[17] The yet-to-be registered Pejuang party has also names Syariah lawyer, Amir Khusyairi Mohamad Tanusi, 38, as their candidate with PH endorsement for the Slim poll, who will be contesting as an Independent.^[18]

On nomination day, BN's Mohd Zaidi and Pejuang's Amir Khusyairi (tree symbol) along with another independent, former teacher Santharasekaran a/l Subramaniam (book symbol), 44, filed their nomination papers to set for a three-cornered fight in the by-election.^[19][20][21] There were also two other individuals who turned up that morning but didn't submit their nomination papers as independent candidates due to personal technical reasons.^[22]

Controversies and issues

Members of the BERSATU Youth (ARMADA) were "booed" during the launching ceremony of the BN Youth Campaign Machinery. Supporters of BN started "booing" the ARMADA members after BN Chairman, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that BERSATU will join the Muafakat Nasional pact.^[23]

On the morning of poling day, several voters were prevented from entering a polling centre merely for wearing shorts which led to a protest when the affected voters unable to cast their ballots. EC chairman Abdul Ghani Salleh had later explained it was a miscommunication as there is no Act that forbids a voter donning shorts from entering a polling centre.^[24]

Result

Results based on polling district

BN won all districts.

Previous result

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 Chukai 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 Sungai Bakap 2024