Bigger majority for BN

Raring to go: Voters queuing up to cast their votes at the SMJK Yoke Kuan polling centre in Sekinchan.

PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional swept to thumping victories in both the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar parliamentary seats, winning by far bigger margins compared to the 2013 .

Another feather in Barisan’s cap was the return of the Chinese votes, especially in the DAP stronghold of Sekinchan in Sungai Besar.

Barisan also received a boost after snatching the hotly-contested Chinese-majority Jerlun polling district in Kuala Kangsar, which had swung to the opposition in the previous elections.

Barisan Nasional’s Budiman Mohd Zohdi garnered 16,800 votes to win the Sungai Besar parliamentary seat with a whopping 9,191 majority.

His nearest contender, Amanah candidate Azhar Abdul Shukur, received 7,609 votes while PAS’ Dr Rani Osman bagged 6,902 votes.

In the 2013 general election, Barisan candidate, the late Tan Sri Noriah Kasnon won the seat with a razor-thin majority of 399 votes.

Being placed third in Sungai Besar was a big blow to PAS, more so as it had defied a request by Selangor Mentri Besar and PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali to not contest and allow PKR to have a one-on- one battle for the seat with Barisan in exchange for a PAS-Barisan fight in Kuala Kangsar.

In Kuala Kangsar, Barisan candidate Datin Mastura Mohd Yazid won the seat previously held by her late husband Datuk Wan Moham­mad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad, with a higher majority of 6,969 compared to the 1,082 votes recorded in the 13th general election.

Her victory was even more commendable considering that she had not been able to campaign as she is still undergoing iddah (waiting pe­­riod) after her husband’s death.

Mastura received 12,653 votes, defeating PAS’ Dr Najihatussalehah Ahmad who got 5,684 votes, Ama­nah’s Dr Ahmad Termizi Ramli with 4,883 votes while independent Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary received a paltry 54.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, ac­­companied by Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir witnessed the announcement of the winner at the Dewan Jubli Perak in Kuala Kangsar.

Also present were other leaders from the coalition including Gerakan president Datuk Mah Siew Keong, Wanita MCA chief Datuk Heng Seai Kie and Perak MCA chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon.

Mastura’s sons, Wan Emir Astar, Wan Imar Izat, Wan Iskandar and Wan Muhammad Ammar, who had represented her during campaigning, were seen hugging and shaking hands with Barisan leaders in the hall after the announcement.

Voter turnout was 74% in Sungai Besar and 71% in Kuala Kangsar.