With split opposition, BN wins with big majority

PETALING JAYA - Barisan Nasional has retained the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar parliamentary seats by thumping majorities of 9,191 and 6,969 votes respectively.

Barisan candidate Budiman Mohd Zohdi of Umno polled 16,800 votes in Sungai Besar compared to Amanah’s Azhar Abdul Shukur’s 7,609 with Dr Abdul Rani Osman of PAS emerging third with 6,902 votes.

In Kuala Kangsar, Datin Mastura Mohd Yazid of Barisan polled 12,653 votes.

PAS’ Dr Najihatussalehah Ahmad obtained 5,684 votes while Amanah’s Prof Dr Ahmad Termizi Ramli managed to get 4,883. The independent Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary lost his deposit with 54 votes.

In GE13, Barisan’s Datuk Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar  Wan Ahmad won the Kuala Kangsar seat with 14,215 votes (50.4%) defeating PAS' Khalil Idham Lim Abdullah who got 13,136 votes (46.6%) while Independent candidate Kamilia Ibrahim who got 447 votes (1.6%). He won with a 399-vote majority

Meanwhile in Sungai Besar, Datuk Noriah Kasnon won with 18,695 votes (49.6%) defeating PAS' Mohamed Salleh M Husin with a 399-vote majority. Mohamed Salleh managed to get 18,296 votes (48.6%) in GE13.

The voter turnout for the 13th General Elections was 88.0% in Sungai Besar and 84.1% for Kuala Kangsar. However, voter turnout was 74% in Sungai Besar and 71% in Kuala Kangsar in Saturday’s by-elections.