2019 Rantau by-election

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]

2019 Rantau by-election

13 April 2019
N27 Rantau seat in the Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly
BN PH Candidate Mohamad Hasan Streram Sinnasamy Party UMNO PKR Alliance BN PH Popular vote 10,397 5,887 Percentage 63.22% 35.80%   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)

  The N27 Rantau state constituency boundaries within the P131 Rembau parliamentary constituency in Negeri Sembilan.

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 elections 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 to retain the seat again.[8] It is 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 Melaka 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

Negeri Sembilan state by-election, 2019: Rantau
Upon the nullification of the incumbent, Mohamad Hasan

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	∆%
	BN	Mohamad Hasan	10,397	63.22	-1.53
	PH	Streram Sinnasamy	5,887	35.80	+0.55
	Independent	Malar Rajaram	83	0.50	N/A
	Independent	Mohd Nor Yasin	79	0.48	N/A
Total valid votes			16,446	100.00
Total rejected ballots			146
Unreturned ballots			4
Turnout			16,596	79.31
Registered electors			20,926
Majority			4,510
	BN hold		Swing		-1.04
Source(s) 1. "Keputusan Pilihan Raya Kecil N.27 Rantau". Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya Malaysia. 2019-04-13. Retrieved 2019-05-23.

Results according to polling districts

Voting District Code	Voting District	Party
131/27/01	Kampong Sendayan	BN
131/27/02	Sendayan	BN
131/27/03	Taman Kelab Tuanku	BN
131/27/04	Kampung Mambau	BN
131/27/05	Kampung Bemban	BN
131/27/06	Kuala Sawah	BN
131/27/07	Kampong Sri Lalang	BN
131/27/08	Kampong Sega	BN
131/27/09	Pekan Sagga	BN
131/27/10	Rantau	BN
131/27/11	Linsum	BN
131/27/12	Kampung Siliau	BN
131/27/13	Angsa Emas	BN
131/27/14	Bandar Ekar	PH

Early and post votes

Voting District	Party
Post Vote	BN
Early Vote	BN

Previous results

Negeri Sembilan state election, 2018: Rantau

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	∆%
On the nomination day, Mohamad Hasan won uncontested.[28]
	BN	Mohamad Hasan	N/A	N/A	N/A

Negeri Sembilan state election, 2013: Rantau

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	∆%
	BN	Mohamad Hasan	10,126	64.75	-1.42
	PKR	Aisah Lamsah	5,513	35.25	+1.42
Total valid votes			15,639	100.00
Total rejected ballots			239
Unreturned ballots			0
Turnout			15,878	87.09
Registered electors			18,232
Majority			4,613
	BN hold		Swing		-1.42
Source(s) "Federal Government Gazette - Notice of Contested Election, State Legislative Assembly for the State of Negeri Sembilan [P.U. (B) 193/2013]" (PDF). Attorney General's Chambers of Malaysia. 26 April 2013. Retrieved 2016-05-21. "Federal Government Gazette - Results of Contested Election and Statements of the Poll after the Official Addition of Votes, State Constituencies for the State of Negeri Sembilan [P.U. (B) 234/2013]" (PDF). Attorney General's Chambers of Malaysia. 22 May 2013. Retrieved 2016-05-21.

References

1. Mazwin Nik Anis (6 March 2019). "Rantau by-election set for April 13". The Star Online. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
2. "Mohamad Hasan's appeal dismissed; Rantau by-election to go on". The Star Online. 18 February 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
3. V Anbalagan (16 November 2018). "Court orders fresh election for Rantau seat". Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
4. "Mohamad Hasan returned unopposed". thestar.com.my. The Star Online. 2018-04-19. Retrieved 2019-02-18.
5. "Rantau by-election on after court invalidates BN win - Nation". www.thestar.com.my. The Star Online. 16 November 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
6. "【晏斗補選】印裔票及游離票左右選情". 東方日報 (in Chinese). 2019-04-08.
7. "Nomination process for Rantau by-election begins". Bernama. The Sun Daily. 30 March 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
8. "Tok Mat wins Rantau by-election with a 4,510 vote majority". The Star Online. 13 April 2019. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
9. Zurairi AR (18 February 2019). "Tok Mat: I've long been ready for Rantau by-election". The Malay Mail. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
10. Raggie Jessy Rithaudeen (18 February 2019). "Rantau by-election: UMNO number two to defend state seat". The Third Force. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
11. "Rantau by-election: Dr Streram vows not to contest as independent if not selected". Bernama . New Straits Times. 21 February 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
12. "PKR's Streram to get another shot at Rantau". Malaysiakini. 11 March 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
13. "Disappointed with Harapan's pick, businessman to join race for Rantau". Malaysiakini. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
14. "Confirmed! Four-cornered fight in Rantau by-election". Malaysiakini. 30 March 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
15. "Accused to have failed to repay debt, Streram to refer to PKR leadership". Bernama. The Malay Mail. 10 March 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
16. Syed Umar Ariff (12 March 2019). "Dr M: Despite debt dispute, Streram eligible to contest Rantau seat". New Straits Times. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
17. "Look at my track record before calling me a racist - Mat Hasan". Malaysiakini. 25 March 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
18. "Amanah wants to expel Rantau indie candidate from party". The Star Online. 30 March 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
19. "Amanah sacks Rantau indie from party". Malay Mail. 30 March 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
20. "Idris' 'goat feast' promise treated as an offence". The Star Online. 3 April 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
21. Zikri Kamarulzaman (6 April 2019). "'Don't vote Keling' banner in Rantau - Mat Hasan denies it's BN". Malaysiakini. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
22. Adrian Lai (6 April 2019). "Rantau: 'Racist' banners cause stir; Streram to lodge police report". New Straits Times. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
23. "Rafizi questions Tok Mat's RM10 mil transfer to buy London property". Bernama. Free Malaysia Today. 11 April 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
24. Zikri Kamarulzaman (7 April 2019). "Mat Hasan denies wrongdoing in RM10m transfer". Malaysiakini. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
25. Sarban Singh, Fatimah Zainal and Yimie Yong (10 April 2019). "Calls to probe Mohamad". The Star Online. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
26. "PKR to discipline members involved in brawl, search on police car". Malaysiakini. 14 April 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
27. Fatimah Zainal (13 April 2019). "Heated words, punches thrown in Pakatan's Rantau command centre". The Star Online. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
28. "14th General Election Malaysia (GE14 / PRU14) - Negeri Sembilan". election.thestar.com.my. The Star Online. Retrieved 2018-05-12.