2019 Rantau by-election

2019 Rantau by-election

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N27 Rantau seat in the Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly
Majority party Minority party   BN PH Candidate Mohamad Hasan Streram Sinnasamy Party UMNO PKR Alliance BN PH Popular vote 10,397 5,887 Percentage 63.22% 35.80%   Third party Fourth party   IND IND Candidate Malar Rajaram Mohd Nor Yasin Party Independent Independent Popular vote 83 79 Percentage 0.50% 0.48%
N27 Rantau state constituency border and the districts included within the constituency.
MLA before election Mohamad Hasan (nullified) Barisan Nasional (UMNO) Elected MLA Mohamad Hasan Barisan Nasional (UMNO)

A by-election was held on 13 April 2019 for the Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly seat of Rantau.^[1] The seat became vacant after the uncontested election of incumbent Mohamad Hasan of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), a component of Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition was declared null and void.^[2][3]

In the 2018 elections, Mohamad Hasan, the 3-term former Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan won the seat uncontested after People's Justice Party (PKR)’s candidate Dr Streram Sinnansamy was not allowed to enter the Nomination Centre to file his papers.^[4] However, the Election Court has on the 16 November 2018, allowed the petition by Dr S. Streram and passed a ruling that Mohamad Hasan had not been duly elected.^[5] A fresh election was called to be held after Mohamad Hasan's appeal was dismissed by the Federal Court on 18 February 2019.^[2]

The nomination day was on 30 March, with a about 2-week campaigning period until election day. The constituency has 20,926 registered voters- 20,804 ordinary voters, 118 early voters and four absentee voters.^[6][7]

Barisan Nasional's Mohamad Hasan won the by-election with a 4,510 majority and retained the seat again.^[8] It was the third consecutive by-election victory for the BN coalition. The other two being the Cameron Highlands and Semenyih by-elections.

Nominations

The UMNO acting president Mohamad Hasan declared he is ready to defend the Rantau seat again,^[9] after the Federal Court upheld an Election Court's ruling to nullify the result of him winning the seat unopposed in the last general election.^[10]

Meanwhile, Dr S. Streram, an anaesthetist who is the Rembau PKR deputy chief, said he would leave the candidacy to the party leadership and vowed not to contest as an independent if he was not selected as candidate for the Rantau by-election.^[11] On 11 March 2019, he was chosen as the PH candidate for the by-election.^[12]

PKR member and businessman, Hazan Khalid initially decided on 27 March 2019 that he would contest as an independent candidate after he disagreed with the candidacy of Dr S. Streram, as the PH candidate.^[13] However he didn't turn up to file his papers on Nomination Day.

On Nomination Day, alongside Mohamad Hasan and Dr S. Streram, two independents, retired teacher Mohd Nor Yasin (pen logo) and housewife Malar Rajaram (tree logo) submitted their papers. The EC confirmed a four-cornered fight for the by-election.^[14]

Controversies and issues

Dr S. Streram was alleged to borrowed and failed to repay Segamat Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Dr R. Santhara Kumar a debt of RM60,000 for his child's education which he claimed that he had repaid the debt in full.^[15] PH chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that Dr S. Streram was selected as candidate as he is not a bankrupt and PH is upholding its principles as Dr S. Streram was denied from a fair contest in the 14th general election.^[16]

Mohamad Hasan told the public to look into his past contributions before calling him a racist. Mohamad's past speeches which purportedly touch on vernacular schools and remarks describing non-Malays were which alleged to be racists and has sparked outrage among the public.^[17]

Independent candidate, Mohd Nor Yassin had been confirmed to be a member of National Trust Party (AMANAH). The party planned to expel him from the party for contesting as an independent and not supporting the PH Candidate.^[18] Mohd Nor Yassin was also the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) candidate for the state constituency of Gemencheh during the 2013 general election. He was expelled from AMANAH on the same day.^[19]

Former Malacca Chief Minister, Idris Haron promised in a campaign speech that if BN won the by-election, they will provide two goats for a feast. EC Chairman, Azhar Harun, has confirmed that it's an election offense.^[20]

A provocation banner displaying sensitive and racism messages has been hung up in the Rantau area. Mohamad Hasan, the BN candidate has denied claims of BN hanging the banner.^[21] Streram meanwhile lodged a police report on the matter.^[22]

A case involving an RM10 million being remitted and transferred through a money changer by Mohamad to buy a luxury apartment in London has been brought up by the Speaker of the Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly.^[23] Mohamad however has denied claims of any wrongdoing by him.^[24] Mohamad was asked to explain the reason he used a money changer instead of a bank to transfer RM10 million and also his connection on a RM6 million Minangkabau design bungalow in Seremban.^[25]

A video emerged of five individuals in clothing bearing PH logos searching a police car on polling day as they suspected extra ballot boxes were being ferried in the vehicle, but their search only turned up to be false alarm.^[26]

Meanwhile, arguments and physical fights among the PKR machinery members had erupted at the PH's Rantau command centre following unofficial reports of its candidate Dr S. Streram's defeat in the Rantau by-election. The incident was said to be happened because of misunderstanding and disagreement over the machinery payment.^[27]

Results

Results according to polling districts

Early and post votes

Previous results

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 Nenggiri 2024