BN wins in Semenyih after record voter turnout since GE14

(MMO) – Barisan Nasional (BN) has won the Semenyih by-election, its second victory against the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition since losing power last year.

BN candidate Zakaria Hanafi won with a 1,914-vote majority, getting 19,780 votes.

PH’s Muhammad Aiman Zainali got 17,866 votes, while two others, PSM’s Nik Aziz Afiq Abdul and independent candidate Kuan Chee Hong, got 847 votes and 725 votes respectively.

The Election Commission (EC) said there were a total of 650 spoilt votes in this by-election.

EC also said the turnout in Semenyih today – at 73.35% – was the highest compared to the five other by-elections held since the 14th general election on May 9 last year. Then, Semenyih recorded a turnout of 88%.

There are 53,411 eligible voters in the state constituency.

The Semenyih by-election was triggered by the death of incumbent assemblyman Bakthiar Mohd Nor of PPBM on Jan 11.

In the general election last year, he defeated three others including BN and PAS with 8,964-vote majority.

The by-election is the sixth to be held in the country.

Prior to this, by-elections were held in Sungai Kandis, Seri Setia, Balakong, Port Dickson and Cameron Highlands, with all except Cameron Highlands won by PH.