Pakatan keeps 2 'bukits', BN wins Btg Ai

LIVE REPORTS [Refresh or Reload this page for latest updates]

---

11.15pm Bukit Gantang Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin said that BN needs to study whether the defeat in Bukit Gantang suggests that Perakians are dissatisfied with the Perak takeover.

However, he insisted that the by-elections are not a referendum of Najib Abdul Razak's premiership as he has just taken over the office.

"Maybe the people have a feel-good factor relating to Najib's premiership, but they have yet to absorb the good feelings."

11.10pm: MCA president Ong Tee Keat said BN accepts the decisions of the people in Bukit Selambau and Bukit Gantang.

However, the transport minister said it was not a total loss as BN won Batang Ai.

"This motivates us to work harder in preparation of the Sarawak election. It is quite clear from tonight's results that the people want much more from us.

"They do not want to hear promises of change but they want to experience real change," he said on his blog.

11.05pm Bukit Selambau Newly-minted Umno vice-president Hishamuddin Hussein conceded defeat even before the official results were announced.

The education minister, who was tasked with overseeing BN's campaign in Bukit Selambau, told reporters: "We accept the decision of the people with an open heart."

He said BN will continue to ensure that the promises it made to the people will be fulfilled.

Commenting on the outcome, he said: "The decision (by the voters) is similar to that of last year (March 8 general election). We must see what needs to be changed."

"The situation in Bukit Selambau needs to be analysed due to its peculiar voters, location and proximity (to Perak). We must study the trend of the voters and see what else needs to be satisfied.

"You must understand, this is not our seat and not our state, we did not lose our own seat. So to look at it in such a defeated manner... I am not prepared to do that," he said.

"We will wait for another time to fight this battle again," he added.

Hishamuddin also called on the people to give the new leadership of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak adequate time and see what has been planned for the future.

Meanwhile, MIC candidate S Ganesan thanked the voters and pledged that BN will continue serving the people.

10.55pm Bukit Selambau OFFICIAL RESULTS

S Manikumar (PKR) 12,632

S Ganesan (MIC) 10,229

Majority 2,403

PKR has won with a slight increase in its majority - 41 votes. The 13 Independents collectively garnered 1,326 votes. V Arumugan, who ran as an Independent in the 2008 general elections, won by 2,362 votes. PKR could conceivably win by an even bigger majority if the Independents opt out of the contest.

While this by-election saw a record number of independents, it also be remembered as the by-election which has the highest number of candidates losing their RM5,000 deposit for failing to get at least 12.5 percent of the total votes cast.

10.31pm Bukit Gantang Ousted Perak menteri besar Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin said at a press conference that his victory in Bukit Gantang send a very strong message to the federal government that Malaysians want real democracy.

He added that he would now request for the dissolution of the Perak Assembly to enable fresh elections to resolve the political impasse in the state.

According to an early analysis of the results, there has been very little change in the Malay votes but PAS managed to win even more non-Malay votes compared to the last election in 2008.

10.25pm Batang Ai Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud said BN's victory in the Batang Ai state by-election is a vote of confidence for new Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

He said Najib's appointment and his message of change were among the factors which contributed to the BN's huge victory in the area.

"They welcome Najib's leadership. They believe that positive change will come with his appointment.

"We fully support the new prime minister and this is the way the people of Batang Ai giving Najib a rousing welcome," he was quoted as saying by Bernama .

10.20pm Bukit Gantang Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has arrived at SSL Traders Hotel in Taiping to meet with BN-appointed menteri besar Zambry Abd Kadir. The DPM did not show any emotions and looked expressionless.

Meanwhile, after ousted menteri besar Mohd Jamaluddin Nizar was declared winner of the Bukit Gantang by-election, the crowd outside the main tally centre began to disperse. Streets of Taiping are wet due to the slight drizzle.

There is no wild celebrations, but quite a number of cars and bikes are sounding their horns. There is a traffic jam around Taiping Town Hall and the adjacent Lake Gardens.

10pm Bukit Selambau Reactions from independents

All 13 independent candidates accepted their heavy defeat to Manikumar - all of them lost their deposits.

A Jayagopal said the fact that the independents managed to garner some votes - no matter how low - indicated that there were some voters who were unhappy with Pakatan and BN.

Delivering a similar message, Mejar (B) Anuar Abdul Hamid, who got the highest votes among the independents (314 votes), said the votes he gained showed that there were some elements of disgruntled voters in the constituency.

Anuar, who quit Umno last May with Dr Mahathir Mohamad, also did not role out returning to the party. However he said that he needed to think about it first.

Tan Hock Huat said the results today also showed that the Indians and the Chinese supported the Pakatan government in Kedah and urged PAS not to promote any Islamisation policies.

9.41pm Immediate reaction from BN

Gerakan president Koh Tsu Koon said BN should not feel disheartened over losing two out of the three by-elections.

"Instead, we should look at the results as a reminder to BN to effect reform more concretely.

"If so, it might be a blessing in disguise for BN in the long run," he said in a statement.

He admitted that the results showed BN has yet to turn the tide in regaining support from the people, especially the non-Malay voters.

He added that BN should learn lessons from these by-elections and retune its strategy and approach.

This will be the great challenge for the next two years.

"As BN is still leading the federal government, BN has a good platform to perform, implement positive reform and good policies benefiting the people.

"In winning Batang Ai by more than last year's margin, it shows that BN still has the confidence of Sarawak's rural people," he added.

9.36pm Bukit Selambau Unofficial results

S Manikumar (PKR) 12,607

S Ganesan (BN) 10,232

Majority 2,375

9.36pm Bukit Gantang Ousted Perak menteri besar and PAS candidate Mohd Jamaluddin Nizar arrives at the main tally centre in Taiping Town Hall accompanied by cheers from thousands of Pakatan supporters.

9.35pm Bukit Gantang Pakatan leaders seen at the main tally centre are PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa, PAS chief Ahmad Awang, DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang, Perak DAP state chief Ngeh Koo Ham, DAP’s Taiping MP Nga Kor Ming and Perak PKR chief Osman Abdul Rahman. The only BN leader there is PPP president M Kayveas.

Also present is Election Commission chief Abdul Aziz Yusof. All are waiting for the arrival of Mohd Jamaluddin Nizar to be officially declared winner.

9.20pm Bukit Gantang OFFICIAL RESULTS

Mohd Jamaluddin Nizar (PAS) 21,860

Ismail Saffian (BN-Umno) 19,071

Kamarul Ramizu Idris (Ind) 62

Majority - 2,789 (In 2008, the majority was 1,566)

9.15pm In an immediate reaction, PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim said that the Pakatan victory in the two 'bukits' showed that “irrespective of the new PM, Malaysians still want change.”

“They are even stronger in their support for PKR,” he said. Anwar said that he was satisfied with the result as PKR did not expect to win Batang Ai.

He added that with PAS’ thumping victory in Bukit Gantang, Perak should now have fresh elections.

8.58pm Manikumar wins Bukit Selambau

With all 22 polling boxes counted, Manikumar retained the seat for PKR by winning with a 2,396-vote majority, a slightly higher margin than in the 2008 general elections.

Manikumar is already celebrating at the official counting centre SM Teknik in Sungai Petani. Along with him is Kedah Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak and PKR vice-president Azmin Ali.

BN candidate S Ganesan is not in the hall. Other MIC leaders are also not present.

8.50pm UNOFFICIAL PKR retains Bukit Selambau PKR's Manikumar wins the seat to retain the status quo in the state assembly.

With only one more polling box to be counted, Manikumar is leading with a 2,092-vote majority. He has been leading in this race from the time the first box was counted.

8.50pm UNOFFICIAL PAS wins Bukit Gantang PAS 20,021, BN 17,076, Independent 56. Majority 2,945.

PAS Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin leaves the party’s operation centre in Air Kuning in an open hatch SUV, and waves to supporters as if he has just won the US presidential race.

8.37pm Bukit Gantang Unofficial results PAS 18,881, BN 15,859, Independent 51. Majority 3,022.

PAS appeared to have an almost unassailable lead with 83.46% of the votes counted and is likely to win this by-election with an increased majority. There are still 16 ballot boxes out of 112 boxes to be tallied.

Party supporters have been asked to go to Taiping Town Hall for the official celebrations.

8.25pm Bukit Gantang Unofficial results Mohd Jamaluddin Nizar (PAS) has increased his majority over Ismail Saffian (Umno) to more than 3,000 votes.

PAS 18,275, BN 15,101, Independent 47. Majority 3,174.

With 8,000 votes yet to be tallied, PAS is heading towards victory.

8.20pm Bukit Gantang Unofficial results PAS 17,427, BN 15,001, Independent 46. Majority 2,426.

8.15pm Bukit Gantang Unofficial results PAS 16,316, BN 14,061, Independent 40. Majority 2,255.

So far, 64.61 percent of the 41,626 votes have been tallied.

8.10pm Bukit Selambau Unofficial Results PKR's Manikumar is headed for a big victory. With 17 polling stations counted, he has 2,311 votes. There are only five more centres to go.

In the last general election, V Arumugam got 2,362-vote majority.

7.52pm Bukit Selambau Unofficial Results With 15 polling stations counted, PKR is still leading with a majority of 1,294. Seven more polling stations are uncounted.

Meanwhile, the MIC operations centre in Sungai Petani is deserted with all party supporters gone.

7.52pm Bukit Selambau Unofficial Results With 12 of the 22 polling stations counted, PKR is leading with 1,161 votes.

7.50pm Batang Ai OFFICIAL RESULTS

BN's Malcolm Mussem Lamoh (3,907 votes) has beaten PKR's Jawah Gerang (2,053). The majority is 1,854.

With this result, BN has increased its majority from the 806-vote margin at the 2006 state election.

For complete tally according to polling districts, go to linasoo.com .

7.40pm Bukit Gantang Unofficial results PAS 14,720, BN 12,142, Independent 32. Majority 2,577.

More than half of the votes cast have been tallied.

PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa said, "As for now, we're heading towards a landslide victory."

The Islamic party has won Kuala Sepetang, the fishing village which is 92 percent Chinese. PAS has bagged 85 percent of the votes there. This is the area where BN stirred a controversy over a team of go-go girls performing at its campaign dinner.

7.39pm Bukit Selambau Unofficial results PKR is leading by 1,080 votes after 10 polling stations have been counted. There are 12 more polling stations left.

7.39pm Batang Ai Unofficial results - the final unofficial tally:

BN 3,450, PKR 1,790. Majority 1,660.

7.36pm Bukit Gantang Unofficial results PAS 13,571, BN 11,191, Independent 31. Majority 2,380.

7.27pm Bukit Selambau Unofficial Results With eight polling stations counted, PKR is leading by 1,225 votes. These eight polling areas consist largely of Indian and Chinese voters. There are 14 more polling stations to be counted.

7.25pm Bukit Gantang Unofficial results PAS 11,375, BN 8,998, Independent 29. Majority 2,377.

7.20pm Bukit Gantang Unofficial results PAS 9,423, BN 6,997, Independent 25. Majority 2,426.

About 40 percent of the 41,000 votes have so far been counted.

PAS candidate Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin and wife, Perak speaker V Sivakumar and Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong, Gopeng MP and PKR VP Lee Boon Chai are at the PAS operation centre in Taiping.

7.13pm Bukit Selambau Unofficial results After counting five out of 22 polling centres, PKR's Manikumar is leading by 990 votes.

7.10pm Bukit Gantang Unofficial results PAS 8,932, BN 6,584, Independent 24. Majority 2,348.

7.01pm Bukit Selambau Unofficial results After counting four streams of out 64, PKR's S Manikumar is leading by 578 votes.

7pm Bukit Gantang Unofficial results PAS ' Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin has increased his lead over BN-Umno's Ismail Saffian. Independent Kamarul Ramizu Idris is trailing far behind.

PAS 7,294, BN 4,670, Independent 17. Majority 2,624.

There is an electric atmosphere in PAS operations centre when the party won big in Changkat Ibol voting district - a PAS stronghold.

6.55pm Bukit Gantang Unofficial results PAS 5,568, BN 3,792, Independent 10. Majority 1,776.

6.50pm Bukit Selambau It is a tight race here, admits a MIC leader.

6.44pm Bukit Gantang Unofficial results PAS 4,929, BN 3,161, Independent 9. Majority 1,768.

6.25pm Batang Ai UNOFFICIAL: BN wins Batang Ai . It is leading with an almost unassailable majority of 1,600 after 21 of 24 boxes have been counted. Boxes from polling stations which closed at 5pm are to be counted soon but it is unlikely that PKR will be able overcome the huge vote deficit.

Official results: For 15 out of 26 polling stations - BN 1,698, PKR 831, majority 867.

5.50pm Batang Ai Latest count: BN has reportedly increased its lead over PKR to 1,000 votes.

Meanwhile, at least three buses with suspected 'phantom' voters have been stopped in Lubok Antu. They are now held at the police station with EC officials and PKR’s Dominique Ng seeking to establish whether they are genuine voters.

5.45pm Bukit Selambau The final voter turnout figure is about 70 percent, said Kedah EC chief Zainal Abidin Zakaria.

5.25pm Batang Ai More unofficial results from the on-going vote count: Gugu - BN 59, PKR 149, Krang Mong - BN 88, PKR 15. BN is still leading.

5.20pm Batang Ai The high water level in the Lemanak river resulted in a lower voter turnout. Of the 448, only 366 registered voters cast their ballots. According to elections watchdog Mafrel, several boats capsized when ferrying voters.

5pm POLLING CLOSES in Bukit Gantang, Bukit Selambau and Batang Ai. Counting of votes for the two Bukits is expected to commence at 5.30pm. For Batang Ai, counting started at 3pm.

Click here for LIVE reports on polling day