Batu Talam by-election, 2007

The Batu Talam by-election was held on 28 January 2007. The seat of Batu Talam in the state assembly of Pahang, Malaysia, fell vacant after the death of the incumbent, Tengku Paris Tengku Razlan of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the leading party of the ruling Barisan Nasional. Nominations were held on 16 January, with two candidates filing to contest — Abdul Aziz Mat Kiram of UMNO, and independent candidate Ng Chee Pang.

Background

The incumbent, Tengku Paris, died in December 2006. He had won the seat in the 2004 general election, defeating PAS candidate Mohamed Nilam Abdul Manap with 5,414 to 2,653 votes. As of nomination day for the by-election, the constituency had 10,511 registered voters, with an ethnic composition of 73% Malay, 14% Chinese, and 13% Indian or Orang Asli. There were a total of 14 registered postal voters.^[1]

Batu Talam thus became the only constituency in Malaysia to have had more than one by-election. The first was held after the 1993 death of Mazlan Idris, who was murdered by the "bomoh" (witch doctor) Mona Fandey.^[1]

PAS and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) of the opposition Barisan Alternatif (Alternative Front) declined to field a candidate for the by-election, citing irregularities in the electoral roll and other alleged "dirty tactics" meant to favour the government. The Democratic Action Party (DAP) also stated that it was not interested in participating.^[2]

Nominations

Despite initial appearances of a government walkover on nomination day, Ng Chee Pang filed to contest the seat as an independent candidate. His candidacy was the subject of much interest, as although the DAP had claimed it did not intend to participate, Ng was the son of DAP Pahang treasurer Ng Kwi Ling. Ng Kwi Ling and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng both denied allegations that Ng was a secret DAP candidate, insisting that the DAP would not campaign for him. However, state DAP leader Lee Tuck Chee said that although the DAP would not campaign for Ng, the party would open an operations base in Cheroh, a town with a high concentration of Chinese voters.^[1][2]

Najib Tun Razak, the Deputy Prime Minister, suggested that Ng was "supported by the opposition. They claim they are boycotting the by-election but they have instructed support for the independent candidate". Pahang Barisan Nasional (BN) Youth Chief Liow Tiong Lai told the press that the move was a ploy to attract support from a broad spectrum of opposition voters, as although PAS supporters would not vote for a DAP candidate and vice versa, both sides would have no issues with voting for an independent candidate.^[1]

Ng stated that his motivation for contesting the election was "to follow in the footsteps of my father" and "fulfil his ambition of winning an election" — Ng Kwi Ling had contested in six general elections since 1982, losing in all of them.^[3] Ng, a 22-year-old businessman, also said that he intended to help petty traders like himself if he won.^[1]

Polling

Polling took place on 28 January as scheduled. The result was an increased margin of victory for the Barisan Nasional candidate.

Source: Bernama

Notes and references

By-elections in Malaysia Parliamentary Kampar 1960 Telok Anson 1961 Kuala Trengganu Selatan 1962 Lipis 1962 Muar Selatan 1963 Seberang Selatan 1964 Bruas 1966 Krian Laut 1966 Kelantan Hilir 1967 Pasir Mas Hulu 1967 Raub 1967 Segamat Utara 1969 Lipis 1972 Rembau-Tampin 1972 Ulu Selangor 1972 Johor Timor 1973 Selayang 1975 Kemaman 1976 Pekan 1976 Keningau 1977 Kimanis 1977 Panti 1977 Pontian 1978 Pelabuhan Kelang 1978 Sri Gading 1981 Seremban 1983 Tampin 1983 Padang Terap 1985 Lubok Antu 1987 Limbawang 1987 Gopeng 1987 Johor Bahru 1988 Ampang Jaya 1989 Bentong 1989 Jerai 1991 Gua Musang 1995 Bagan 1995 Lipis 1997 Telok Intan 1997 Kuala Selangor 1997 Arau 1998 Telok Kemang 2000 Pendang 2002 Gaya 2002 Permatang Pauh 2008 Kuala Terengganu 2009 Bukit Gantang 2009 Hulu Selangor 2010 Sibu 2010 Batu Sapi 2010 Bukit Gelugor 2014 Teluk Intan 2014 Permatang Pauh 2015 Rompin 2015 State assemblies Bukit Tuku 1987 Tanjong Puteri 1988 Parit Raja 1988 Teluk Pasu 1989 Tambatan 1989 Teruntum 1989 Sungai Besar 1989 Pantai Merdeka 1990 Kuala Linggi 1990 Kijal 1990 Sipitang 1990 Bayu 1991 Usukan 1991 Perai 1991 Limbongan 1991 Sungai Pinang 1991 Serkam 1991 Jerlun 1991 Bukit Payung 1992 Batu Talam 1993 Kampung Raja 1993 Sementa 1994 Lundang 1994 Shahbandar Raya 1994 Sri Tanjong 1995 Bukit Asahan 1996 Pulai Chondong 1997 Bukit Begunan 1997 Kemena 1997 Repah 1997 Permatang 1997 Melekek 1997 Semerak 1997 Kidurong 1997 Changkat Jering 1997 Sungai Bakap 1997 Sanggang 2000 Lunas 2000 Indera Kayangan 2002 Ketari 2002 Anak Bukit 2002 Kuala Berang 2004 Pengkalan Pasir 2005 Batu Talam 2007 Machap 2007 Ijok 2007 Bukit Selambau 2009 Batang Ai 2009 Penanti 2009 Manek Urai 2009 Permatang Pasir 2009 Bagan Pinang 2009 Galas 2010 Tenang 2011 Merlimau 2011 Kerdau 2011 Kuala Besut 2013 Sungai Limau 2013 Kajang 2014 Balingian 2014 Pengkalan Kubor 2014 Chempaka 2015

Elections in Malaysia General elections Year 1955 1959 1964 1969 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1995 1999 2004 2008 2013 Election Results 11th 12th 13th State elections Nationwide Election Results 11th 12th 13th Sabah 1967 1971 1976 1981 1985 1986 1990 1994 1999 2004 2008 2013 Sarawak 1969 1974 1979 1983 1987 1991 1996 2001 2006 2011 Next Singapore 1963 Parliamentary by-elections Kampar 1960 Telok Anson 1961 Kuala Trengganu Selatan 1962 Lipis 1962 Muar Selatan 1963 Seberang Selatan 1964 Bruas 1966 Krian Laut 1966 Kelantan Hilir 1967 Pasir Mas Hulu 1967 Raub 1967 Segamat Utara 1969 Lipis 1972 Rembau-Tampin 1972 Ulu Selangor 1972 Johor Timor 1973 Selayang 1975 Kemaman 1976 Pekan 1976 Keningau 1977 Kimanis 1977 Panti 1977 Pontian 1978 Pelabuhan Kelang 1978 Sri Gading 1981 Seremban 1983 Tampin 1983 Padang Terap 1985 Lubok Antu 1987 Limbawang 1987 Gopeng 1987 Johor Bahru 1988 Ampang Jaya 1989 Bentong 1989 Jerai 1991 Gua Musang 1995 Bagan 1995 Lipis 1997 Telok Intan 1997 Kuala Selangor 1997 Arau 1998 Telok Kemang 2000 Pendang 2002 Gaya 2002 Permatang Pauh 2008 Kuala Terengganu 2009 Bukit Gantang 2009 Hulu Selangor 2010 Sibu 2010 Batu Sapi 2010 Bukit Gelugor 2014 Teluk Intan 2014 Rompin 2015 Permatang Pauh 2015 State assemblies by-elections Bukit Tuku 1987 Tanjong Puteri 1988 Parit Raja 1988 Teluk Pasu 1989 Tambatan 1989 Teruntum 1989 Sungai Besar 1989 Pantai Merdeka 1990 Kuala Linggi 1990 Kijal 1990 Sipitang 1990 Bayu 1991 Usukan 1991 Perai 1991 Limbongan 1991 Sungai Pinang 1991 Serkam 1991 Jerlun 1991 Bukit Payung 1992 Batu Talam 1993 Kampung Raja 1993 Sementa 1994 Lundang 1994 Shahbandar Raya 1994 Sri Tanjong 1995 Bukit Asahan 1996 Pulai Chondong 1997 Bukit Begunan 1997 Kemena 1997 Repah 1997 Permatang 1997 Melekek 1997 Semerak 1997 Kidurong 1997 Changkat Jering 1997 Sungai Bakap 1997 Sanggang 2000 Lunas 2000 Indera Kayangan 2002 Ketari 2002 Anak Bukit 2002 Kuala Berang 2004 Pengkalan Pasir 2005 Batu Talam 2007 Machap 2007 Ijok 2007 Bukit Selambau 2009 Batang Ai 2009 Penanti 2009 Manek Urai 2009 Permatang Pasir 2009 Bagan Pinang 2009 Galas 2010 Tenang 2011 Merlimau 2011 Kerdau 2011 Kuala Besut 2013 Sungai Limau 2013 Kajang 2014 Balingian 2014 Pengkalan Kubor 2014 Chempaka 2015 Local government elections 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 See also: List of Malaysian electoral districts · List of the winning political parties in the Malaysian general election by parliamentary constituency · Template:Legislatures of Malaysia