PETALING JAYA: The stage has been set for the country’s ninth by-election, aptly enough in Negri Sembilan, following the death of the Bagan Pinang state assemblyman Azman Mohd Noor yesterday.
Within a span of 18 months, Malaysia will have seen a record number of nine by-elections after the 12th general election that was held in March last year.
By-elections have been held in Penang (Permatang Pauh, Penanti, and Permatang Pasir), Terengganu (Kuala Terengganu), Kedah (Bukit Selambau) Perak (Bukit Gantang), Sarawak (Batang Ai), and Kelantan (Manek Urai).
Of the nine-by-elections, three were called following the resignation of PKR elected representatives in Permatang Pauh, Penanti and Bukit Selambau.
Six other by-elections were called following the deaths of three PAS elected representatives (Bukit Gantang, Manek Urai state, Permatang Pasir) and three Barisan elected representatives (Batang Ai, Kuala Terengganu and Bagan Pinang).
Following the eight by-elections held so far, Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat maintained status quo except in Kuala Terengganu where Barisan lost the parliament seat to PAS.
Barisan will go all out to defend the Bagan Pinang state seat to boost its morale following successive defeats in recent by-elections.
In Putrajaya, Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Yusoff, who has overseen seven by-elections since becoming Election Commission (EC) chairman nine months ago, said he would take the challenge in stride, and values the hands-on experience.
“It is a learning process for me. There is no better way to learn the ropes faster than going through it (elections).
“It is a challenge but I thrive on challenges,” he said yesterday.
Abdul Aziz said the EC would have to wait for the Negri Sembilan state legislative assembly speaker to notify the commission.
“Only then can we call for a meeting to discuss holding a by-election,” he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment