Thumping victory: Onn Hafiz (third from left) and leaders from the unity government celebrating Syed Hussien’s (fourth from left) win in the Mahkota by-election at the Barisan command centre in Kluang. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
KLUANG: Exceeding its own expectations, Barisan Nasional increased its winning margin in the Mahkota state seat by four times, thanks largely to having former rival Pakatan Harapan on board.
When Barisan won Mahkota in the March 2022 state election, it polled more than 16,600 votes while then-rival Pakatan garnered more than 11,400 ballots. This gave Barisan a winning majority of about 5,100 votes in 2022.
Last night, Barisan’s winning majority was 20,648 votes after the coalition polled 27,995 votes as a result of working with Pakatan in the unity government alliance.
Perikatan Nasional garnered 7,347 votes, about 300 fewer than the 7,614 votes the Opposition coalition got in 2022.
Barisan’s Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah was pronounced the winner at about 9.11pm at the Election Commission’s (EC) vote totalling centre at Dewan Tunku Ibrahim Ismail here.
According to the EC, some 53.84% of Mahkota’s 66,318 voters turned out to cast their ballots, a slight drop from the 57.34% voter turnout in the Johor state election in March 2022.
The thumping victor was a result of the “extraordinary effort” put in by Barisan and its partners in Pakatan, said Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
Onn Hafiz, Barisan’s by-election director, said it was the first time he had witnessed all wings and component parties from Barisan and Pakatan working together to campaign for Syed Hussien
“Kluang MP Wong Shu Qi also campaigned hard like she was the candidate. It was an extraordinary effort on all parts. After the win, Syed Hussien will have to start working for the people,” he said when addressing Barisan supporters.
Congratulating Syed Hussein and the coalition’s machinery, Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the victory comes with a heavy responsibility and its leaders must not rest on their laurels.
“It is a clear signal from the people that we should strive for a better future,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Ahmad Zahid also credited Barisan’s victory to its former assemblyman Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, who had served her constituents to the best of her ability.
The by-election was sparked by her untimely death.
“She had devoted herself to the Mahkota constituency. Her contributions remain in memory and are a source of inspiration for us to continue serving Kluang,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid also thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“I believe this success reflects the people’s acceptance of his (Anwar) leadership and administration,” he said.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong congratulated Syed Hussien on the mandate given by the voters in Mahkota.
“Carry out this responsibility to the best of your ability,” he told Syed Hussien.
Dr Wee also thanked Mahkota voters for supporting Syed Hussien.
“You have made a wise and the right choice. Kudos to Onn Hafiz and the entire party machinery that has worked tirelessly day and night from the first day until now. Your efforts have been fruitful and brought Barisan a sweet victory,” he said in a Facebook post.
