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The second year of the Unity Government’s administration in 2024 saw a more stable political climate in Malaysia compared to the previous year. It seemed that the people were yearning for political stability, hoping it would allow them to go about their daily economic and social activities without disruption.
This desire was reflected in the results of the four state by-elections held this year. In three of these by-elections, voters chose to retain the incumbent political parties: Pakatan Harapan (PH) in Kuala Kubu Baharu (Selangor), Perikatan Nasional (PN) in Sungai Bakap (Penang), and Barisan Nasional (BN) in Mahkota (Johor).
In the remaining by-election, held in Nenggiri (Terengganu), voters opted for BN over the incumbent PN, further signalling a preference for greater political stability.
The Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election on May 11 was the first by-election this year and was held following the death of incumbent assemblyman Lee Kee Hiong, 58, of cancer on March 21. Former Press Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Local Government, Pang Sock Tao, who was fielded by PH to defend the seat held by the late Lee from DAP since 2013, won with a majority of 3,869 votes.
Pang defeated three challengers, namely Khairul Azhari Saut representing PN, Hafizah Zainuddin (Parti Rakyat Malaysia) and Nyau Ke Xin (Independent).
In the Sungai Bakap by-election on July 6, PN maintained the status quo after its candidate, Abidin Ismail, won with a majority of 4,267 votes, defeating PH candidate Dr Joohari Ariffin.
The by-election was held following the death of incumbent Nor Zamri Latiff, who was also Nibong Tebal PAS head, on May 24 due to stomach inflammation.
The Nenggiri by-election was held following the revocation of party membership of its incumbent, Mohd Azizi Abu Naim, who contested under the PAS logo in the Kelantan 15th state election last year. He was expelled by Bersatu of PN on June 13 after pledging his support to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The vacancy was declared by Kelantan State Assembly Speaker Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah effective June 19 after the State Assembly received a written notice under Clause (3) Article 31A of the State Constitution from Mohd Azizi on June 13.
The by-election, held on Aug 17, saw BN candidate and Kelantan UMNO Youth chief Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani win with a majority of 3,352 votes, defeating his opponent Mohd Rizwadi Ismail of PN.
BN maintained its winning momentum within the Unity Government coalition when it successfully defended the Mahkota state seat. Its candidate, Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah, secured a large majority of 20,648 votes in the by-election on Sept 28.
The Kluang UMNO Youth chief defeated PN candidate Mohamad Haizan Jaafar in the by-election, which was held following the death of incumbent Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, 63, on Aug 2.
An episode in the political arena which attracted attention this year was the pledge of support by six Members of Parliament (MPs) from Bersatu for the ruling MADANI Government, which made many people anticipate more by-elections.
However, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul ruled that the MPs had not vacated their seats with such a move, as per Article 49A(1) of the Federal Constitution. The MPs were Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanafi (Tanjong Karang) and Datuk Dr Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan).
The year 2024 also witnessed new leadership elections in several parties, including DAP, MIC, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) and Bersatu.
In the DAP, secretary-general Anthony Loke, who is the Transport Minister, retained his position as Negeri Sembilan DAP chairman for the 2024-2027 term while Women’s chief and Deputy Minister of Communications Teo Nie Ching was elected as Johor DAP chairman.
DAP national organising secretary and Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong was elected as Penang DAP chairman while national advisor Tan Kok Wai and vice-chairman Nga Kor Ming, who is also the Minister of Local Government and Housing, retained their leadership of DAP Federal Territories (Kuala Lumpur) and Perak, respectively.
The DAP state elections brought some surprise, though. Deputy national chairman and Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo failed to defend his position as Selangor DAP chairman. The post was won by national assistant treasurer and Selangor State Executive Councillor Ng Sze Han.
Meanwhile, Pasir Bedamar assemblyman Woo Kah Leong was elected as the national executive committee chief for DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) for the 2024-2027 term.
The MIC elections for the 2024-2027 term saw Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran and former Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan retain their positions unopposed as MIC president and deputy president, respectively, on July 6.
The PBRS elections saw its deputy president and Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup win the presidency unopposed during the party’s Fourth Triennial General Meeting on Nov 16.
In Bersatu, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin remained as president while former secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin was elected unopposed as the deputy president for the 2024-2027 term.
PKR decided to postpone its 2024 National Congress, scheduled for Dec 15, due to severe flooding in several states.
PKR information chief Fahmi Fadzil said the decision was made during a Political Bureau and Central Leadership Council (MPP) meeting.
PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh announced that a special congress to amend the party constitution would still proceed on Dec 15 in Selangor.