Bukit Gelugor by-election, 2014

A by-election was held for the Dewan Rakyat parliamentary seat of Bukit Gelugor on 25 May 2014 following the nomination day on 12 May 2014.[1] The seat fell vacant after the passing of the incumbent MP, Karpal Singh in a motor accident near Kampar, Perak on 17 April 2014.[2][3] Karpal hailed from the Democratic Action Party, a component party of Pakatan Rakyat.[4] A political and legal veteran, he served in the Parliament since 1978 (except for a brief period) and as the chairman of the DAP from 2004 until 2014. He won by a majority of 41,778 votes against Barisan Nasional (Malaysian Chinese Association) candidate Teh Beng Yeam in the 2013 general election.[5][6]

The DAP fielded Ramkarpal Singh, Karpal's son and a lawyer.[7] Hours after Ramkarpal's candidacy was announced, MCA decided to defer from contesting the by-election thus leaving BN with no candidate in the by-election.[8][9] BN chief and Prime Minister Najib Razak indicated that BN would instead throw support on other candidates. Parti Cinta Malaysia vice-president and former BN MP for Batu Kawan Huan Cheng Guan contested in the by-election along with two independents Mohamed Nabi Bux Mohamed Abdul Sathar and Abu Backer Sidek Mohammad Zan.[10] Abu Backer withdrew a day before the by-election, although his decision was not recognized by the Electoral Commission.[11] The number of eligible voters in this constituency was 82,431.

Results

Ramkarpal Singh won the by-election with a majority of 37,659 votes compared to his nearest challenger. The other three candidates lost their deposit after failing to receive at least one-eighth of the votes. The turnout in the by-election is 30% lower compared to the turnout in the 2013 general election.[12][13][14]

Malaysian general by-election, 25 May 2014: Bukit Gelugor
Upon the death of incumbent, Karpal Singh
Party Candidate Votes % ∆%
DAP Ramkarpal Singh Karpal Singh 41,242 89.95 + 9.44
Love Malaysia Party Huan Cheng Guan 3,583 7.81 + 7.81
Independent Mohamed Nabi Bux Mohamed Nabi Abdul Sathar 799 1.74 + 1.74
Independent Abu Backer Sidek Mohammad Zan 225 0.49 + 0.49
Total valid votes 45,849 100.00
Total rejected ballots 539
Unreturned ballots 50
Turnout 46,438 56.34
Registered electors 82,431
Majority 37,659 82.14
DAP hold Swing
Source(s)

"Pilihan Raya Kecil P.051 Bukit Gelugor". Election Commission of Malaysia. Retrieved 2018-09-19.

"Federal Government Gazette - Notice of Contested Election - By-election of the Dewan Rakyat of P.051 Bukit Gelugor for the State of Penang [P.U. (B) 215/2014]" (PDF). Attorney General's Chambers of Malaysia. 14 May 2014. Retrieved 2018-09-19.[permanent dead link]

"P. U. (B) 250/2014 Federal Government Gazette - Results of Contested Election and Statement of the Poll after the Official Addition of Votes for the By-election of P.051 Bukit Gelugor" (PDF). Attorney General's Chambers of Malaysia. 28 May 2014. Retrieved 2016-05-10.[permanent dead link]

References

  1. ^ "Bukit Gelugor by-election set for May 25, nominations May 12, says polls body". The Malaysian Insider. 24 April 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-04-24.
  2. ^ "Karpal Singh dies in road accident, son injured". The Malaysian Insider. 17 April 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-04-19.
  3. ^ "Karpal Singh's Death: Bukit Gelugor MP killed in crash, son injured". New Straits Times. 17 April 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-04-17.
  4. ^ "Karpal Singh: One and only Tiger". The Star. 17 April 2014.
  5. ^ "Karpal's Bukit Gelugor seat will stay DAP's, analysts say". The Malay Mail. 24 April 2014.
  6. ^ "Undi.info". Archived from the original on 2014-04-19. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
  7. ^ "Ramkarpal to defend dad's Bukit Gelugor seat". The Malaysian Insider. 10 May 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-05-13.
  8. ^ "MCA to stay clear of Bukit Gelugor rumble". Malaysiakini. 10 May 2014.
  9. ^ "Bukit Gelugor by-election will only spell humiliating defeat for MCA, say analysts". The Malaysian Insider. 12 May 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-05-15.
  10. ^ "In Barisan's absence, DAP can expect easy win in Bukit Gelugor". The Malaysian Insider. 12 May 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-05-13.
  11. ^ "Never-ending drama from Abu Backer". Free Malaysia Today. 24 May 2014.
  12. ^ "It's official… Ramkarpal wins Bukit Gelugor, challengers lose their deposit". The Malaysian Insider. 25 May 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-05-27.
  13. ^ "Ramkarpal falls short of dad's majority". Free Malaysia Today. 25 May 2014. Archived from the original on 25 May 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  14. ^ 行动党3万7千多数票守土蓝卡巴：国会，我来了！ (in Chinese). Malaysiakini. 25 May 2014.