2023 Simpang Jeram by-election

2023 Simpang Jeram by-election

← 2022 9 September 2023 Next →
N13 Simpang Jeram seat in the Johor State Legislative Assembly
First party Second party   PH PN Candidate Nazri Abdul Rahman Mohd Mazri Yahya Party AMANAH PAS Alliance PH PN Popular vote 13,844 10,330 Percentage 56.54% 42.19%
Simpang Jeram assemblyman before election Salahuddin Ayub (died) Pakatan Harapan (AMANAH) Elected Simpang Jeram assemblyman Nazri Abdul Rahman Pakatan Harapan (AMANAH)

The 2023 Simpang Jeram by-election was a by-election held on 9 September 2023 for the Johor State Legislative Assembly seat of Simpang Jeram.^[1] It was called following the death of incumbent, Salahuddin Ayub on 23 July 2023. The by-election were held on the same day as the 2023 Pulai by-election.^[2] Salahuddin was a 2-term Member of Parliament for Pulai, and also 2-term Member of Johor State Assembly for Simpang Jeram, both since 2018. He was a member and Deputy Preseident (2015-2023) of the National Trust Party (AMANAH), a component party of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition.

This was the latest Johor state by-election since the 2011 Tenang by-election.

Nomination and campaign

Nomination day were announced by Election Commission (EC) to be on 26 August 2023.^[3] On the nomination day, 3 candidates were accepted: Nazri Abdul Rahman from PH, Mohd Mazri Yahya from Perikatan Nasional (PN), and Jeganathan Subramaniam as an independent.^[4]

Nazri were announced as PH candidate in a media conference by AMANAH President, Mohamad Sabu on 19 August.^[5] He is the AMANAH deputy chief of Bakri, and an engineer by profession.^[6] Nazri has said, in an interview to Bernama, that his main agenda is to solve the drainage problem which led to flash floods at the constituency, as well as improving the local economy.^[7] He also promised to continue the groundwork laid by Salahuddin in the constituency.

Mazri, from Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS), was announced as PN's candidate by PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin on 23 August.^[8] A vascular and endovascular surgeon by trade, he is the PAS Central Committee member, and also Johor PAS Deputy Commissioner.^[9] He has contested in Simpang Jeram before in 2018, as well as Pulai federal seat in 2018; both which were lost to Salahuddin.^[10] Mazri unveiled his manifesto on 6 September, focusing on affordable housing, flash flood solutions, youth sports and recreation program, and more support for people with disabilities in the area.^[11]

Jeganathan, a local businessman from Taman Bakri Jaya and former Malaysian Indian Congress member, had participated in the state elections twice before: in 2018 and 2022, both in Bukit Naning state seat. On both occasions, he lost his deposit.^[12][13] He listed his ability to speak English, Malay, Tamil, Mandarin and Hokkien as an advantage for his campaign.^[13][14] Jeganathan also revealed his six-point manifesto, including a food bank with monthly contribution on RM1,000 from him, and emergency van for those in need.^[11] Jeganathan decided this would be his last election if he loses again, after spending more than RM50,000 on helping the locals.^[15]

Notably, this was the first Johor state election without candidates from Barisan Nasional (BN) since 2004,^{[note 1]} traditionally the dominant party in the state and the current state government party. After formation of federal government consisting of the alliance between PH and BN in the aftermath of the general election in November 2022, both Simpang Jeram and Pulai by-election saw the first collaboration between BN and PH at Johor state level, as BN acceded to PH to put its candidate there,^[16] as well as campaigning together.^[17]

Think tank Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research data analyst, Azlan Musyabri suggests that PN could win both seats, if the voter turnout trend is the same as the 2022 state election, but also suggested PH would retain both seats if BN voters support the PH candidate as well as increase of support from non-Malay voters from the 2022 election.^[18] Bridget Welsh, another political analyst based in Kuala Lumpur, predicted the result will hinge on either voters respect for Salahuddin legacy, or voters response to BN and UMNO president Zahid Hamidi discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) of his 47 court cases just days before the election.^[19] Other analysts, such as Dr Azmi Hassan also from Nusantara Academy, and Dr Ainul Adzellie Hasnul, believe that Zahid's DNAA, and also another UMNO leader Bung Mokhtar Radin acquittal of his own court case a day after, will not affect PH-BN negatively in the by-elections.^[20]

Timeline

The key dates are listed below.

Results

Previous results

Aftermath

Nazri, the winner of the by-election, were sworn in as the new MLA for Simpang Jeram on 14 September at the third meeting of the second session of the 15th Johor State Assembly.^[23]

Notes

References

• v
• t
• e

By-elections in Malaysia

Federal

1950s	Kedah Tengah 1959
1960s	Kampar 1960 Telok Anson 1961 Kuala Trengganu Selatan 1962 Lipis 1962 Muar Selatan 1963 Bachok 1964 Seberang Selatan 1964 Krian Laut 1966 Bruas 1966 Kelantan Hilir 1967 Raub 1967 Pasir Mas Hulu 1967 Segamat Utara 1968 Kuantan 1968
1970s	Malacca Selatan 1971 Kapar 1971 Bau-Lundu 1971 Lipis 1972 Ulu Selangor 1972 Rembau-Tampin 1972 Kuala Kedah 1973 Johore Timor 1973 Rajang 1974 Selayang 1975 Pekan 1976 Kemaman 1976 Kimanis 1977 Panti 1977 Keningau 1977 Pontian 1978 Pelabuhan Kelang 1979
1980s	Mukah 1980 Kimanis 1981 Paloh 1981 Sri Gading 1981 Ulu Muda 1983 Tampin 1983 Seremban 1983 Padang Terap 1985 Ulu Padas 1985 Lubok Antu 1987 Limbawang 1987 Gopeng 1987 Johor Bahru 1988 Ampang Jaya 1989 Bentong 1989
1990s	Jerai 1992 Gua Musang 1995 Bagan 1995 Lipis 1997 Telok Intan 1997 Kuala Selangor 1997 Arau 1998
2000s	Telok Kemang 2000 Pendang 2002 Gaya 2002 Permatang Pauh 2008 Kuala Terengganu 2009 Bukit Gantang 2009
2010s	Hulu Selangor 2010 Sibu 2010 Batu Sapi 2010 Bukit Gelugor 2014 Teluk Intan 2014 Rompin 2015 Permatang Pauh 2015 Kuala Kangsar 2016 Sungai Besar 2016 Port Dickson 2018 Cameron Highlands 2019 Sandakan 2019 Tanjung Piai 2019
2020s	Kimanis 2020 Padang Serai 2022 Kuala Terengganu 2023 Pulai 2023 Kemaman 2023

State

1950s	Plentong 1959
1960s	Sri Lalang 1960 Grik 1960 Kota Tengah 1960 Pontian Kechil 1961 Gemas 1962 Rantau Panjang 1962 Port Swettenham 1963 Pahang Tua 1963 Telok Datoh 1963 Balik Pulau 1963 Jelai 1964 Tumpat Tengah 1964 Jitra 1965 Ayer Itam 1965 Rahang 1965 Sungei Bahru 1966 Kampong Bharu 1967 Tampoi 1967 Chukai 1967 Baling Barat 1968 Ranau 1968 Bachok Utara 1968 Bukit Serampang 1968 Pendang 1968 Serdang 1968
1970s	Bekok 1971 Yen-Merbok 1971 Pelagus 1971 Batu Rakit 1971 Sidam 1971 Muda 1971 Tumpat Barat 1972 Sebandi 1973 Kota Bharu Tengah 1973 Elopura 1973 Johore Lama 1973 Kajang 1973 Kuala Nerus 1973 Kuching Barat 1973 Engkilili-Skrang 1974 Pasir Puteh Tengah 1974 Bandar Kangar 1974 Sungei Bahru 1974 Parit Bakar 1974 Alor Pongsu 1974 Merbok 1975 Kuala Kinabatangan 1975 Labuan 1975 Lahad Datu 1975 Lunas 1976 Semariang 1976 Kiulu 1976 Kota Kinabalu 1976 Papar 1976 Moyog 1976 Tanjong Aru 1976 Bandar Penggaram 1977 Balingian 1977 Bertam 1977 Parit Jawa 1977 Kenering 1977 Matunggong 1977 Jempol 1977 Morib 1978 Tendong 1978 Matunggong 1978 Inanam 1978 Kampong Jawa 1978 Titi Tinggi 1978 Machan 1978 Kampong Kolam 1978 Muara Tuang 1979 Kuching Timor 1979 Kuala Besut 1979 Balung 1979 Ranau 1979
1980s	Oya 1980 Bukit Raya 1980 Kemabong 1980 Sugut 1980 Pengkalan Kota 1980 Bengkoka 1981 Sebandi 1981 Matu-Daro 1981 Satok 1981 Sipitang 1981 Ulu Muar 1981 Balung 1981 Kunak 1981 Lumadan 1981 Gemencheh 1982 Tandek 1982 Usukan 1982 Kepayang 1982 Binjai 1982 Banggi 1983 Kenering 1983 Bandar Raub 1983 Tamparuli 1983 Kemumin 1983 Selising 1983 Rungkup 1983 Tambunan 1984 Bandar Maran 1986 Sukau 1986 Balung 1986 Buang Sayang 1986 Karamunting 1986 Oya 1986 Sulaman 1986 Bukit Tuku 1987 Usukan 1987 Bongawan 1987 Tanjong Puteri 1988 Parit Raja 1988 Teluk Pasu 1989 Tambatan 1989 Teruntum 1989 Sungai Besar 1989 Ranau 1989
1990s	Pantai Merdeka 1990 Kuala Linggi 1990 Kijal 1990 Sipitang 1990 Sulabayan 1990 Bayu 1991 Usukan 1991 Prai 1991 Limbongan 1991 Sungai Pinang 1991 Serkam 1991 Jerlun 1991 Bukit Payung 1992 Batu Kawah 1992 Batu Talam 1993 Kampung Raja 1993 Sementa 1994 Lundang 1994 Shahbandar Raya 1994 Sulabayan 1995 Bukit Asahan 1996 Pulai Chondong 1997 Bukit Begunan 1997 Repah 1997 Kemena 1997 Permatang 1997 Melekek 1997 Semerak 1997 Kidurong 1997 Changkat Jering 1997 Sungai Bakap 1997
2000s	Sanggang 2000 Lunas 2000 Indera Kayangan 2002 Ketari 2002 Anak Bukit 2002 Kuala Berang 2004 Ba'kelalan 2004 Pengkalan Pasir 2005 Batu Talam 2007 Machap 2007 Ijok 2007 Batang Air 2009 Bukit Selambau 2009 Penanti 2009 Manek Urai 2009 Permatang Pasir 2009 Bagan Pinang 2009
2010s	Galas 2010 Tenang 2011 Kerdau 2011 Merlimau 2011 Kuala Besut 2013 Sungai Limau 2013 Kajang 2014 Balingian 2014 Pengkalan Kubor 2014 Chempaka 2015 Tanjong Datu 2017 Sungai Kandis 2018 Balakong 2018 Seri Setia 2018 Semenyih 2019 Rantau 2019
2020s	Chini 2020 Slim 2020 Bugaya 2022 Tioman 2022 Simpang Jeram 2023 Pelangai 2023 Jepak 2023 Kuala Kubu Baharu 2024 Sungai Bakap 2024