[UPDATED] BN retains Pelangai with sizeable margin

KUALA LUMPUR – The Election Commission (EC) has announced Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Datuk Amizar Abu Adam as the victor of the Pelangai state by-election, after an impressive 72.12% voter turnout for the polls today.

The Umno man garnered 62.37% of votes cast in the polls today.

Amizar received 7,324 votes compared to the 4,375 managed by Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Kassim Samat and 47 by independent Haslihelmy DM Zulhasli.

The results were announced by returning officer Datuk Mohammad Shahid Ismail at the vote-tallying centre at Dewan Orang Ramai Felda Kemasul here tonight.

All ballot boxes, from 30 streams, were taken to the vote-tallying centre at Dewan Orang Ramai Felda Kemasul.

At 4pm, the EC said that the voter turnout had reached 64%, Bernama reported.

Voting earlier took place at nine polling stations in good weather.

16,456 electors were eligible to vote in the by-election of the state seat, including 73 postal ballots issued for 36 police personnel and three overseas absentee voters.

In the 15th general election, BN’s Datuk Seri Johari Harun won the seat with a 4,048-vote majority, defeating Kasim Samat of PN who garnered 3,260 votes, Ahmed Wafiuddin Shamsuri of Pakatan Harapan (2,031 votes) and Isa Ahmad of Pejuang (65 votes).

Johari, 53, later died in the Elmina crash on August 17 this year, forcing this by-election.

‘Keeping his legacy alive’

Speaking to reporters, Amizar expressed his commitment to continue the late Johari’s legacy to ensure development in the constituency.

Now that the election is over, it is time for him to carry out his duties, riding on the mandate given by the voters.

“To the people of Pelangai, the by-election is over. God-willing, I will carry out the trust (invested in me), and, more importantly, continue the legacy of the late Datuk Seri Johari,” he said.

He also expressed appreciation and gratitude to the Pelangai voters who have chosen BN to serve the constituency.

“I thank God for giving victory to Barisan Nasional, and I want to offer a million thanks to Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi,” he said.

Commenting on the result, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, who is state BN chief, said that the voting trend has shown heightened support for BN.

In particular, the pattern seen at polling centres in areas with large non-Malay voters, especially where BN led, show that they accept the cooperation between BN and Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the federal unity government. – The Vibes, October 7, 2023