According to Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the low turnout of Barisan Nasional voters was the reason for the coalition’s loss in the Kemaman by-election. He stated that this was not due to an increase in support for PAS.
Zahid Hamidi noted that there was no increase in support for PAS candidates, but rather a shortage of hardcore Barisan Nasional voters, especially from Umno, of about 10,000. As a result, when only 68.3% of hardcore Umno voters turned out to vote, it led to the increased majority for PAS.
He emphasized that this does not imply that the support for the unity government has been lost, as Kemaman only has around 141,000 voters. In response to speculation about him quitting due to a cancer diagnosis, Zahid Hamidi confirmed that he had undergone a prostate surgical procedure and requested that people avoid making speculative statements.
The Election Commission returning officer announced on Dec 2 that PAS’ Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar obtained a total of 64,998 votes while Barisan’s Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor polled 22,778 votes. Ahmad Samsuri was named the winner with an increased majority of 37,220 votes.
Ahmad Samsuri’s majority surpassed his predecessor’s majority of 27,179 votes in the 15th General Election (GE15). The Kemaman by-election was called after the Terengganu Election Court ruled on Sept 26 that PAS’ Che Alias Hamid’s victory in GE15 was nullified due to elements of corruption during the campaign period.
