2023 Pulai by-election

2023 Pulai by-election

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P161 Pulai seat in the Dewan Rakyat
First party Second party   PH PN Candidate Suhaizan Kayat Zulkifli Jaafar Party AMANAH BERSATU Alliance PH PN Popular vote 48,293 29,642 Percentage 61.54% 37.78%
MP before election Salahuddin Ayub (died) Pakatan Harapan (AMANAH) Elected MP Suhaizan Kayat Pakatan Harapan (AMANAH)

The 2023 Pulai by-election was a by-election held on 9 September 2023 for the Dewan Rakyat seat of Pulai.^[1] It was called following the death of incumbent, Salahuddin Ayub on 23 July 2023 of brain haemorrhage.^[2] The by-election was held on the same day as the Simpang Jeram by-election.

Background

Pulai is a federal constituency in Johor. The state constituencies of Perling and Kempas are within Pulai. Pulai has a total of 165,313 electors, of which 44.5% are Malays, 40.2% Chinese, 12.2% Indians and 3.1% of other ethnicities.

Salahuddin was a 2-term Member of Parliament for Pulai since 2018 and Member of Johor State Assembly for Simpang Jeram since 2018. He was a member and Deputy Chairman (2015-2023) of the National Trust Party (AMANAH), a component party of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition. He was the Minister of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry from 2018 until the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government in 2020. After the 2022 elections, he was appointed as Minister of Domestic Trade and Costs of Living until his death. By his death in 2023, he became the fourth federal minister to died in office after Tun Dr. Ismail (Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Trade and Industry in 1973), Tun Abdul Razak (Prime Minister and Minister of Defence in 1976) and Ali Ahmad (Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in 1977). This also the first elections with incumbent death still hold both parlimantary and state constituencies since Fadzil Noor in 2002.

Nomination and campaign

Nomination day were announced by Election Commission to be on 26 August 2023.^[3] On the nomination day, 3 candidates were accepted: Suhaizan Kayat from PH, Zulkifli Jaafar from Perikatan Nasional (PN), and Samsudin Fauzi as an independent.^[4]

Suhaizan were announced as PH candidate in a media conference by AMANAH President, Mohamad Sabu on 19 August.^[5][6] A former political secretary to the late Salahuddin, he also had served as Speaker for the Johor Legislative Assembly from 2018 to 2022 under 3 different Menteri Besar (Osman Sapian, Hasni Mohammad and Onn Hafiz Ghazi), including when PH is in opposition from 2020 to 2022. He also is the current AMANAH Johor deputy chairman.^[7] This is Suhaizan's seventh election as a candidate, having lost his previous six attempts.^[7] Suhaizan's campaign includes introducing more 'Rahmah Sales' affordable necessities locations, a project initiated by his mentor Salahuddin.^[8] His campaign also targets increasing job opportunities, and providing more recreational and sports facilities in the area if he wins the election.^[8]

Zulkifli, from Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU), were announced as PN's candidate by PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin on 23 August.^[9] An entrepreneur based in Tampoi by trade who were listed in directorship at six different companies, he is the BERSATU deputy chief for Pulai branch.^[10] In his maiden campaign as candidate, Zulkifli is focused on helping to restore economic balance.^[11]

Samsudin announced his candidacy as independent on 22 August.^[12] He is the president of the Kuala Lumpur Consumer Safety Association (PKPKL), a non governmental organization (NGO) based in Kuala Lumpur, and aims to bring the voice of NGO to Parliament if elected.^[12] Samsudin has contested before in the Putrajaya federal seat at the last general election in 2022, losing his deposit. Samsudin claims most people see him as an outsider as he was based in Kuala Lumpur, even though he were born in the state, at Kluang.^[13] For his campaign, Samsudin has been assisted by a group of NGOs based in Johor Bahru, and introduced his manifesto to tackle poverty in the area.^[14]

Notably, this was the first federal election in Johor without candidates from Barisan Nasional (BN), traditionally the dominant party in the state and the current Johor government party. After formation of federal government consisting of the alliance between PH and BN in the aftermath of the general election in November 2022, both Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-election saw the first collaboration between BN and PH at Johor state level, as BN acceded to PH to put its candidate there,^[15] as well as campaigning together.^[16]

Think tank Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research data analyst Azlan Musyabri suggests that PN could win both seats, if the voter turnout trend is the same as the 2022 state election, but also suggested PH would retain both seats if BN voters support the PH candidate as well as increase of support from non-Malay voters from the 2022 election.^[17] Bridget Welsh, another political analyst based in Kuala Lumpur, predicted the result will hinge on either voters respect for Salahuddin legacy, or voters response to BN and UMNO president Zahid Hamidi discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) of his 47 court cases just days before the election.^[18] Other analysts, such as Dr Azmi Hassan also from Nusantara Academy, and Dr Ainul Adzellie Hasnul, believe that Zahid's DNAA, and also another UMNO leader Bung Mokhtar Radin acquittal of his own court case a day after, will not affect PH-BN negatively in the by-elections.^[19]

Timeline

The key dates are listed below.

Results

Previous results

Aftermath

Suhaizan, the winner of the by-election, were sworn in as the new MP for Pulai on 19 September before the resumption of the debate session of the 12th Malaysia Plan Mid-Term Review at the Parliament of Malaysia.^[20]

References

• v
• t
• e

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