2023 Kuala Terengganu by-election

2023 Kuala Terengganu by-election

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P036 Kuala Terengganu seat in the Dewan Rakyat
Turnout	73.34%
First party Second party   PH Candidate Ahmad Amzad Hashim Azan Ismail Party PAS PKR Alliance PN PH Popular vote 68,369 21,103 Percentage 76.41% 23.59%
MP before election Ahmad Amzad Hashim (disqualified) PN (PAS) Elected MP Ahmad Amzad Hashim PN (PAS)

The 2023 Kuala Terengganu by-election is a by-election that were held on 12 August 2023 for the Dewan Rakyat seat of Kuala Terengganu. It was called following the disqualification of incumbent, Ahmad Amzad Hashim on 27 June 2023.^[1]

The election is the first by-election since GE15^{[note 1]} and the second by-election that was held in the constituency since 2009. The by-election was held concurrently with the 2023 Terengganu state election.

Amzad was re-elected as the Kuala Terengganu MP in the by-election with a majority of 47,266 votes over the other candidate.

Background

Kuala Terengganu is a Malay/Muslim-majority seat comprising predominantly 90.8% of the overall voters, followed by 8.6% Chinese, 0.5% Indians and 0.2% of other ethnicities.

Ahmad Amzad, a member of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) of Perikatan Nasional (PN) was first elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kuala Terengganu in Terengganu defeating Mohd Zubir Embong of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) of Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, Raja Kamarul Bahrin of the National Trust Party (AMANAH) of Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition and Mohamad Abu Bakar Muda of the Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (PUTRA) of Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) coalition by a majority of 40,907 votes in 2022 general election (GE15).

On 27 June 2023, the Terengganu Election Court annulled the results of the Kuala Terengganu seat in the 2022 general election. With this, Ahmad Amzad lost his seat and was disqualified as an MP with immediate effect. Judge Mohd Firuz Jaffril ruled that the petitioner and the BN candidate in the election Mohd Zubir succeeded in proving that corruption had taken place with the aim of influencing voters in the election. He added that although Mohd Zubir was not presented as a witness, other evidence was sufficient to declare the results null and void. The court also ordered Ahmad Amzad to pay RM50,000 to Mohd Zubir and allowed Ahmad Amzad to file an appeal within 14 days. Ahmad Amzad was represented by lawyer Wan Rohimi Wan Daud while Mohd Zubir was by lawyer Mohd Hafarizam Harun. Wan Rohimi stressed that they would file a notice of appeal to the Federal Court. However, on 8 July 2023, Wan Rohimi announced that Ahmad Amzad and PAS had decided not to do so and hoped that the by-election triggered by the decision would be held simultaneously with the state elections on 12 August 2023,^[2] a move that has raised eyebrows from AMANAH, which its deputy president Salahuddin Ayub stated that it was as if PAS themselves had admitted that there were elements of corruption and they were simply admitting to it.^[3] On 18 July 2023, the Election Commission (EC) announced the key dates of the by-election, which are to be held simultaneously with the state elections.^[4]

Nomination

On 22 July 2023, Prime Minister and Chairman of Pakatan Harapan (PH) Anwar Ibrahim announced that the coalition would nominate former Member of Parliament (MP) for Indera Mahkota and former Member of the Terengganu State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Bandar Azan Ismail to contest for the seat. BN did not contest for the seat as a result of paving the way for PH in respect of the political cooperation between the two coalitions. On 27 July 2023, State Commissioner of PAS of Terengganu, Husain Awang announced that PN would renominate Ahmad Amzad to defend the seat again. On the nomination day on 29 July 2023, Azan and Ahmad Amzad were officially nominated as the candidates for the seat in the by-election.

For the by-election, Perikatan Nasional has decided to use the PAS logo and name for its candidate.^[5]

Timeline

The key dates are listed below.

Results

Malaysian general by-election, 12 August 2023: Kuala Terengganu
Upon the disqualification of the incumbent, Ahmad Amzad Hashim

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	∆%
	PAS	Ahmad Amzad Hashim	68,369	84.96	19.69
	PH	Azan Ismail	21,103	15.04	3.70
Total valid votes			89,472	100.00
Total rejected ballots			1,049
Unreturned ballots			111
Turnout			90,632	73.34
Registered electors			123,397
Majority			47,266
	PAS hold		Swing
Source(s) https://lom.agc.gov.my/ilims/upload/portal/akta/outputp/1852017/P.U.%20(B)%20376_2023.pdf

Previous results

Aftermath

Amzad, the winner of the by-election, were sworn in as the new MLA for Kuala Terengganu on 5 September, before Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul in the Parliamentary Special Chamber at Dewan Rakyat.^[6]

Notes

References

• v
• t
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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