PORT DICKSON – Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim won the Port Dickson by-election with an even bigger majority than in the 14th general election (GE14).
The PKR president-elect’s majority was 23,560 votes as compared to the 17,710-vote majority secured by Datuk Danyal Balagopal Abdullah, 68, of PKR, who vacated the seat on Sept 12 to pave the way for Anwar to return to Parliament.
With the victory, Anwar, 71, will be sworn in as the new MP of Port Dickson in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (October15)
Anwar obtained 31,016 votes, PAS candidate Lt. Col (Rtd) Mohd Nazari Mokhtar secured 7,456 votes while former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad, who contested as an independent after quitting UMNO, only managed 4,230 votes.
Of the four other independents in the fray, Anwar’s former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, 33, obtained the lowest number of votes at just 82; social media personality Stevie Chan Keng Leong managed to get 337 votes, management consultant Kan Chee Yuen (154 votes) and former private university lecturer and sole woman candidate Lau Seck Yan (214 votes). All four lost their deposits.
With this latest development in Anwar’s political career, he is just one step away from succeeding Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as Malaysia’s eighth prime minister. The ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition had reached a consensus on this power transition before GE14.
he result was announced by returning officer Khairy Maamor at 9.14pm yesterday at the official tallying centre at Port Dickson Municipal Council (MPPD) Hall here.
The percentage of turnout as at 5.30pm after 32 polling centres closed was 58.3 per cent compared to 83.16 per cent in the GE14.
The rate of turnout is higher than the three earlier by-elections namely the Sungai Kandis state seat at 50.3 per cent, Seri Setia (44 per cent) and Balakong (43 per cent).
The Port Dickson by-election was held after it was vacated by Danyal Balagopal, 68, on Sept 12 to enable Anwar Ibrahim who recently won the PKR president’s post uncontested to return to Dewan Rakyat.
In GE14, Danyal Balagopal, a former Royal Malaysian Navy senior officer won with a majority of 17,710 votes to defeat Datuk V.S. Mogan of Barisan Nasional and Mahfuz Roslan of PAS.Anwar believed the spirit of consensus as displayed by PH has brought about a strong mandate for him in the by-election.
He was also thankful that the by-election process proceeded smoothly and he expressed his appreciation to the entire PH machinery in assisting to secure his victory.
Meanwhile, Anwar said he would be sworn in as a member of Parliament on Monday and pledged to bring about changes in the institution with other members of Parliament.
“I will continue to serve as a member of Parliament and assist other friends especially senior members of Parliament such as Lim Kit Siang to formulate reforms and hold forums as well as discussions with ministers from time to time,” he said.
Also present at the media conference were outgoing PKR president and Anwar’s wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, PKR secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun.
The PKR president-elect said his big-majority win proved PH was well-received by the voters in the constituency.
In the meantime, the former deputy prime minister expressed his commitment to become a Member of Parliament who is concerned about developing Port Dickson and safeguarding the interests of the people.
“If I get to be the number one in Malaysia, I want to make it a country led by non-corrupt people, and those who hate tyranny, love the people and distribute the wealth among the people,” he said.
Also present at the event were PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, PKR secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang and Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun.
Meanwhile, Dr Wan Azizah, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, reminded the PH machinery and supporters that the by-election victory was to make the party better.
“We changed this all because we promised we will not abuse power, we do not want bribes. We want (good for) our people, to improve our situation together,” she said.
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin congratulated Anwar on his victory in the by-election.
“Datuk Seri Anwar’s success in obtaining the mandate of the people with a bigger majority in the by-election proves the support of the voters to PH remains strong,” said the Bersatu president via a posting on his Facebook page.
“I believe Datuk Seri Anwar’s return as a Member of Parliament will further strengthen the coalition under the leadership of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. I am confident the partnership of the two leaders will have a positive impact on the people and the country.
Muhyiddin also thanked the entire PH machinery for their hard work in ensuring the coalition’s victory.
“Thank you very much to the Port Dickson voters who have made a wise choice,” he said.
— BERNAMA
