SABAK BERNAM, June 18 — Incumbent Barisan Nasional (BN) claims victory in both Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections today, followed by a neck-to-neck result from rival Islamist parties PAS and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah).
BN candidate Budiman Mohd Zohdi retained the Sungai Besar seat for the ruling coalition with a majority of 9,191 over his rival Amanah’s Azhar Abdul Shukur, followed by Dr Rani Osman from PAS, according to official results from the Election Commission.
Budiman garnered 16,800 votes compared to Azhar’s 7,609 and Rani’s 6,902. A total of 379 votes were rejected.
Meanwhile in KUALA KANGSAR, Datin Mastura Yazid won the seat previously held by her late husband Datuk Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad with a majority of 6,969 over PAS candidate Dr Najihatussalehah Ahmad followed by Amanah’s Prof Dr Ahmad Termizi Ramli.
A total of 12,653 voters chose Mastura, compared to 5,684 for Najihatussalehah and 4,883 for Ahmad Termizi, the EC announced.
Independent candidate Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary garnered just 54 votes, forfeiting his deposit. There were 239 spoilt votes.
The landslide twin victories signalled a return to power for BN in both seats, after a dismal result in the 13th General Elections.
The late Sungai Besar MP Tan Sri Noriah Kasnon only won by a mere 399 majority against PAS’ Mohamed Salleh M Husin in 2013.
Her counterpart in Kuala Kangsar, the late Datuk Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad won by just a 1,082 majority in the general elections against PAS’ Khalil Idham Lim Abdullah.
Both by-elections were triggered after the death of both MPs in a tragic helicopter crash in May during the Sarawak state elections.
The EC said 74 per cent of registered voters cast their ballots in Sungai Besar today, and 71 per cent in Kuala Kangsar.
The voter turnout was significantly lowered compared to 2013 — 88 per cent and 84.3 per cent respectively.
