KUALA LUMPUR – Pakatan Harapan (PH) has lost its two-thirds majority in Selangor for the first time in 15 years, according to official state election results released by the Election Commission.
Combined, PH and its unity government partner, Barisan Nasional (BN), secured 32 and two seats respectively, totaling 34 seats.
This fell short by at least four seats of the coveted two-thirds majority they previously held, having possessed 51 seats in total, constituting a supermajority.
Among the notable upsets for PH was Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali’s victory over his former protégé Juwairiya Zulkifli in Hulu Kelang.
Azmin, a former menteri besar representing Perikatan Nasional (PN), is anticipated to become the opposition leader due to his prominence as the “poster boy” for the top position if the coalition had secured victory.
Azmin secured a majority of 1,617 votes with a total of 25,597 votes, while Juwairiya garnered 23,980 votes.
In Taman Medan, PN candidate Afif Bahardin emerged victorious with 22,316 votes, narrowly edging out PH candidate Ahmad Akhir Pawan Chik, who received 22,286 votes.
In Kuang, PN’s Mohd Rafiq emerged triumphant over BN’s Hasnal Rezua Merican.
Meanwhile, PN’s Muhammad Hilman Idham successfully defended the Gombak Setia seat, albeit with a slender majority of 58 votes.
Previously, the caretaker Selangor Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, expressed a high level of confidence, estimating an 80 percent chance that the Unity Government coalition could secure a two-thirds majority in the state election.
Amirudin said the PH-BN alliance appeared poised to secure between 40 to 41 of the 56 contested State Legislative Assembly seats.
Before the state legislative assembly dissolution on June 23, PH held a robust position, occupying 40 seats. PKR held 19, followed by DAP (15) and Amanah (six).
In contrast, BN controlled five seats, Bersatu held four, and Parti Bangsa Malaysia secured two.
Among the other parties, PAS, Pejuang, and Warisan held individual seat representations, each accompanied by an Independent state assemblyman. – August 13, 2023