Minister, deputy ministers dealt crushing blows
JOHOR BARU: Three former Barisan Nasional ministers and two deputies managed to retain their seats in the 14th General Election in Johor.
Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, who was defence minister, held on to Sembrong with a 6,662 majority, defeating PKR’s Onn Abu Bakar.
Pengerang remains with former minister in the prime minister ’s department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman, who secured 21,829 votes.
Former minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, who is MCA’s deputy president, managed to retain Ayer Hitam, defeating PKR’s Liew Chin Tong and Pas’ Mardi Marwan.
Two former deputy ministers also secured wins: Datuk Halimah Mohd Sadique in Kota Tinggi and Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan in Pontian.
However, MIC president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, who was health minister, lost in Segamat.
The four-term parliamentarian was defeated by PKR’s R. Santhara Kumar, who garnered 24,060 votes against his 18,584 votes.
Former natural resources and environment deputy minister Datuk Hamim Samuri lost in Ledang to PKR’s Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, while former international trade and industry deputy minister Datuk Chua Tee Yong lost in Labis to PKR’s Pang Hok Liong.
Others who lost on Wednesday were former deputy transport minister Datuk Ab Aziz Kaprawi in Sri Gading and former home minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed in Pulai.
Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Razali Ibrahim, who was minister in the prime minister’s department, lost in Muar to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.