1997 Semerak by-election

The 1997 Semerak by-election was a by-election that was held on 11 August 1997 for the Kelantan State Legislative Assembly seat of Semerak. It was called following the death of its PAS assemblyman Sulaiman Ahmad, aused by stroke. Sulaiman won the seat on 1995 Malaysian general election under Angkatan Perpaduan Ummah banner against Ismail Awang of Barisan Nasional and Musa Salleh of AKIM with a majority of 248.

1997 Semerak by-election

11 August 1997
Semerak seat in the Kelantan State Legislative Assembly
First party Second party Third party   BN PAS AKIM Candidate Kamarudin Mohd Nor Wan Mohd Fauzi Husain Mohd Din Nizam Din Party UMNO PAS AKIM Alliance BN PAS AKIM Popular vote 5,370 4,592 27 Percentage 53.30% 45.58% 0.02%
MLA before election Sulaiman Ahmad Angkatan Perpaduan Ummah (PAS) Elected MLA Kamarudin Mohd Nor BN (UMNO)

Kamarudin Mohd Nor of Barisan Nasional wrest the seat against PAS Wan Mohd Fauzi with a majority of 778 votes. Mohd Din of AKIM lost his deposit, after only garnering 27 votes.

Nomination

Barisan Nasional nominated Pasir Puteh UMNO Chairmen, Kamarudin Mohd Nor. On 31st July, PAS nominated local business man, Wan Mohd Fauzi.AKIM nominated its vice president, Mohd Din.

Timeline

The key dates are listed below.

Date	Event
22 July 1997	Issue of the Writ of Election
1 August 1997	Nomination Day
1 August- 10 August 1997	Campaigning Period
9-10 August 1997	Early polling day for postal and overseas voters
11 August 1997	Polling Day

Results

Malaysian general by-election, 11 August 1997: Semerak
upon the death of incumbent Sulaiman Ahmad

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	∆%
	BN	Kamarudin Mohd Nor	5,370	53.30
	PAS	Wan Mohd Fauzi Husain	4,592	45.58
	KITA	Mohd Din Nizam Din	27	0.2
Total valid votes			9,989	99.15
Total rejected ballots			85	0.85
Unreturned ballots			0
Turnout			10,074	82.42
Registered electors			12,222
Majority			778	7.7
	BN gain from PAS		Swing		?