Route clear for PM-in-waiting
He secures PD parliamentary by-election with 31,016 votes
The path is now clear for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to take his place as Prime Minister-inwaiting after he gained a solid mandate in the Port Dickson parliamentary by-election. Despite the lower voter turnout, the PKR president-elect romped home with a massive 31,016 votes, improving on Pakatan Harapan’s majority. Political analysts say Pakatan must now ensure a smooth transition of power between the two leaders.
PORT DICKSON: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim secured a huge mandate in the Port Dickson parliamentary by-election, winning with a 23,560vote majority.
Except for the PAS candidate, all five Independent candidates lost their deposits.
The Pakatan Harapan candidate polled 31,016 votes - leaving second-placed Lt-Kol (Rtd) Mohd Nazari Mokhtar of PAS, who secured 7,456 votes, far behind.
Tan Sri Isa Samad managed 4,230 votes, Stevie Chan (337), Lau Seck Yan (214), Kan Chee Yuen (154), with Anwar’s former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan coming in last with 82 votes.
The majority secured by Anwar was the biggest in the history of the constituency, despite a low voter turnout of only 58.25%. In GE14, the turnout for the constituency was 82.8%.
Based on records, the highest majority was secured by Barisan Nasional in 2004 when the constituency was known as Teluk Kemang, with Barisan candidate Datuk L. Krishnan winning by a majority of 21,105 votes.
Returning Officer Khairy Maamor made the official announcement at 9.15pm at the Port Dickson Municipal Council Hall.
Anwar was congratulated by the other candidates and raised his hands to acknowledge the cheers of the crowd.
Among the Pakatan leaders who were present was DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang.
The jubilant PKR-president elect was garlanded by several of his supporters.
The new MP appeared to be in no hurry as he spoke to his constituents who stepped forward to offer their congratulations.
Election Commission chairman Azhar Azizan Harun told reporters that he was pleased with the way the by-election was held.
Asked if he was satisfied with the 58.25% voter turnout, Azhar said he was as it was higher compared with the three previous by-elections.
“I think this is quite realistic since we only had the general election five months ago,” he said. Anwar will be sworn in as the new Port Dickson lawmaker on Monday when Parliament reconvenes.
The Port Dickson by-election was triggered by the exit of Datuk Danyal Balagopal Abdullah to make way for Anwar’s return to Parliament.
Danyalhad won the seat in a three-cornered fight with a 17,710 vote majority.
A total of 68,317 voters were eligible to cast their ballots in yesterday’s by-election.