Slim margins: Seven Johor seats to watch after fewer than 1,000 votes made the difference

PETALING JAYA, June 25— The 2022 Johor state election was marked by Barisan Nasional’s (BN) victory, which handed the coalition firm control of the state government with a two-thirds majority.

But beneath the headline result were several closely fought contests where fewer than 1,000 votes decided the outcome.

With Johoreans set to vote again next month, these constituencies will be closely watched as small swings in voter sentiment could shape the balance of power in the state assembly.

Here are the seven Johor seats won by fewer than 1,000 votes in 2022, based on official Election Commission data. 

Jementah (DAP)

Pakatan Harapan’s Ng Kor Sim won the seat in a three-way contest involving BN and Perikatan Nasional (PN), with a majority of 714 votes.

She secured 8,877 votes; BN came in second with 8,163 votes, followed by Perikatan Nasional with 4,654 votes.

Bukit Kepong (Bersatu)

Perikatan Nasional’s Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal came out on top in a four-cornered contest involving BN, Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) and the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda), securing 9,873 votes and a majority of 710.

BN came in second with 9,163 votes, followed by Muda with 3,076 votes and Pejuang with 191 votes.

Bukit Pasir (Umno)

BN’s Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh won the seat in a six-cornered contest involving PH, PN, Pejuang and two independent candidates, securing 6,048 votes and a majority of 198.

PN came in second with 5,850 votes, followed by PH with 4,676 votes.

Pejuang obtained 196 votes, while the two independents secured 1,860 and 207 votes respectively.

Prior to the state assembly’s dissolution, Mohamad Fazli served as the state executive councillor for the works, transportation, infrastructure and communication portfolio.

Tangkak (DAP)

PH’s Ee Chin Li won the seat in a five-cornered contest involving BN, PN, Pejuang and an independent candidate, securing 8,105 votes and a majority of 372.

BN came in second with 7,733 votes, followed by PN with 3,092 votes.

Pejuang obtained 789 votes, while the sole independent candidate secured 121 votes.

Serom (Umno)

BN’s Hajah Khairin-Nisa Ismail @ Md On won the seat in a four-cornered contest involving PH, PN and Pejuang, securing 8,507 votes and a majority of 699.

PN came in second with 7,808 votes, followed by PH with 5,509 votes and Pejuang with 332 votes.

Prior to the state assembly’s dissolution, Hajah Khairin-Nisa served as the state executive councillor for the women, family and community development portfolio.

Parit Yaani (Umno)    

BN’s Datuk Mohamad Najib Samuri finished 294 votes ahead of PH in a four-cornered contest that also included PN and Pejuang.

PH came in second with 8,776 votes, followed by PN with 5,435 votes and Pejuang with 239 votes.

Bukit Batu (PKR)

PH’s Arthur Chiong Sen Sern defeated BN by just 137 votes in a four-cornered contest involving PN and Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan).

This result was the narrowest margin recorded in the previous state election.

BN came in second with 9,302 votes, followed by PN with 3,989 votes and Warisan with 1,349 votes.