Machap by-election dates and details March 21, 2007
Posted by elizabethwong in Democracy, Malaysia.trackback
(Updated: 1513 H)
Nomination day: 3 April 2007
Polling day: 12 April 2007
The constituency of Machap was formerly known as Bukit Sedanan. Both KeADILan and DAP have contested there in the past.
In 1999, KeADILan’s Zamani Abdul Wahid received 2,340 votes against the late Poh’s 4,966
In 2004, DAP’s Liou Chen Kuang’s 1,285 votes lost to the late Poh Ah Tiam’s 5,847.
Late this morning, Lim Guan Eng, secretary-general of DAP announced to the media in Parliament that DAP is interested to contest there.
KeADIlan, while saying they are keen and ready too, in the spirit of unity and consultation, they will first discuss it in tonight’s Political Bureau meeting and talk further with other partners in the Opposition to ensure the best candidate is put forward to ensure an Opposition victory.
(KeADILan President Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail’s statement available here)
Malaysiakini and a few Chinese media have reported on the names of possible candidates. According to them, they are:-
MCA front-runner is Lai Meng Chong, Human Resources Minister Dr Fong Chan Onn’s political aide
Two names from KeADIlan have been reported by the media; they are Malaccan locals – Tian Chua and Ginie Lim, who is the party’s Media Coordinator.
DAP has yet to offer any names to date. DAP Sec-Gen said, a three-member committee, including himself, will decide on this.
However, it won’t be Guan Eng, “I won’t be contesting, I’ve made that clear. That is without a doubt. Everybody knows that,” as quoted by Malaysiakini.
Below are more details and records of voting:-
Pilihanraya Dun Machap/Bukit Sedanan
Malay : 38.3%
Chinese : 45.6%
Indian : 15.3%
Others: 0.7%
1999 – N 07 Bukit Sedanan
Jumlah Pengundi : 10,189
Poh Ah Tiam (MCA) : 4,966
Zamani B. Abbul Wahid (PKR) : 2,340
Majoriti : 2,626
Peratus Mengundi : 73.84%
Undi Rosak : 218
2004 – N 08 Machap
Jumlah Pengundi : 9,887
Poh Ah Tiam (MCA) : 5,847
Liou Chen Kuang (DAP) : 1,285
Majoriti : 4,562
Peratus Mengundi : 74.2%
Undi Rosak : 202
elizabeth wong 
Hi Elizabeth
In the case of this constituency, there were a lot of local factors involved in the last few elections. Machap is a small community, and the town people tend to know each other. Po Ah Tiam was well respected locally, and he received many votes for that reason.
I’m not sure if that will carry over to the new BN candidate.
DAP or Keadilan would be better off if they could field a locally known candidate. An outsider parachuted in won’t be well received in this small community.
kittykat46: Ginie is a charmer. Prepared to be blown away.
[…] (This post has been updated on 21 March 2007) […]
DAP, as always, will have problems getting Malay votes. It would be wise for DAP to make way for a Keadilan candidate.
It will a uphill battle for the Opposition but its worth the try.
Just hope the Chinese in Macap have b**ls to express their disgust with BN’s discriminatory policies and rampant corruption.
As usual UMNO will wave the keris in Macap and the Chinese will chicken out.
This place looks like another mixed ethnicity constituency where the MCA will rely on the Malay wary of the (alleged) chauvanist nature of DAP.
So if DAP fields local to fish for non-Malay votes & PAS fields a candidate to split the Malay vote, then DAP will win if they can get most of the Chinese/Indian votes.
Cunning or what?
Its official. Bet on MCA to win to make a quick buck.
What a timely pre-nationwide-election litmus test! The eventual percentages compared to the previous election will be a good indication if the BN has lost gound, if any. Gloves off everybody!
Anuar and Tian Chua should give full support to DAP this time-
sacrifice small me ,ok???
I think Tian Chua should stand a better chance of denying the BN.
hidup keadilan! hie elly! hahahhaha…
Poh Ah Tiam (MCA) : 4,966
Zamani B. Abbul Wahid (PKR) : 2,340
Poh Ah Tiam (MCA) : 5,847
Liou Chen Kuang (DAP) : 1,285
go go PKR! its okay, just give it to DAP this time…
Rahimi, the 1999 reformasi election as a one-off with special circumstances.
Has the electoral landscape changed Batu Talam?
If not, the opposition should stand by their principles & boycott this election as well.
Kekalkan keamanan yang sedia ada di Malaysia Am nya Melaka khususnya dan Machap. Saya amat yakin DUN Machap akan memenangi di pihak BN dengan Majoriti yang tinggi…Yang penting pihak BN perlu bekerja lebih kuat untuk memastikan tiada undi untuk di pihak pembangkang.