The 1980 Sugut by-election is a by-election for the Sabah State Legislative Assembly seat of Sugut that were held from 21 to 24 May 1980.[1] It was called following the resignation of the incumbent, Betua Abbah on 11 March 1980.[2]
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21-24 May 1980
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Sugut seat in the Sabah State Legislative Assembly | |||||||||||||||||||
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The by election were held on the same dates as 1980 Kemabong by-election.
Background
editBetua Abbah, were elected to the state seat of Sugut in the 1976 Sabah state election, winning the seat as a United Sabah National Organization (USNO) candidate, as Sabah People's United Front (BERJAYA) won the state election to become the new government party of Sabah. He later joined BERJAYA after the election.
On 11 March 1980, Chief Minister of Sabah and BERJAYA President, Harris Salleh announced that Betua and Kemabong assemblyman Asmawi Chew have resigned from their state seats.[3] Harris stated the reason given for Betua resignation was for health reasons, and to make way for a 'young and energetic candidate'.[3] This necessitates for by-election for both seats to be held, as the seats were vacated more that 2 years before the expiry of the state assembly current term.
Election Commission of Malaysia announced on 4 April 1980 that the by-election for the seat will be held from 21 to 24 May 1980 if there is a contest, with 26 April 1980 set as the nomination day.[4]
Nomination and campaign
editAfter both BERJAYA resignations, USNO said that they would not contest the by-elections, to focus their resources in the upcoming state election.[5]
After nominations at Beluran district office closed on 27 April 1980, it was confirmed there would be a straight fight between BERJAYA and independent for the Sugut seat.[6] BERJAYA named businessman Pengiran Abdul Khafid bin Pengiran Salleh, while an independent candidate Buangan bin Gawat also handed his nomination.[6] Pengiran Khafid previously had lost to Betua in the 1976 state elections.
Timeline
editThe key dates are listed below.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Issue of the Writ of Election | |
| 26 April 1980 | Nomination Day |
| 26 April-20 May 1980 | Campaigning Period |
| Early polling day for postal and overseas voters | |
| 21-24 May 1980 | Polling Day |
Results
edit
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ∆% | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BERJAYA | Pengiran Khafid Pengiran Salleh | 1,481 | 73.98 |  43.25 | ||
| Independent | Buangan Gawat | 410 | 20.48 | 20.48 | ||
| Total valid votes | 1,891 | 94.46 | ||||
| Total rejected ballots | 111 | 5.54 | ||||
| Unreturned ballots | 0 | 0.00 | ||||
| Turnout | 2,002 | 42.7 |  28.44 | |||
| Registered electors | 4,689 | |||||
| Majority | 1,071 | ? | ? | |||
| BERJAYA gain from USNO | Swing | ? | ||||
Source(s) | ||||||
Previous result
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ∆% | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USNO | Betua Abbah | 1,837 | 66.48 | |||
| BERJAYA | Pengiran Khafid Pengiran Salleh | 849 | 30.73 | |||
| Total valid votes | 2,686 | 97.21 | ||||
| Total rejected ballots | 77 | 2.79 | ||||
| Unreturned ballots | 0 | 0.00 | ||||
| Turnout | 2,763 | 71.14 | ||||
| Registered electors | 3,884 | |||||
| Majority | 988 | |||||
| USNO hold | Swing | ? | ||||
Source(s) | ||||||
Aftermath
editAfter BERJAYA candidates were announced as winners, the party president Harris said in an interview that voters have reached political maturity and would not be swayed by opposition propaganda.[7]
Pengiran Khafid would successfully defend the seat in the next year's state election.
References
edit- ↑ "POLLING FOR TWO SABAH SEATS BEGINS". New Straits Times. 22 May 1980. p. 24. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ↑ "Two resignations". The Business Times (Singapore). 12 March 1980. p. 1. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- 1 2 "TWO RESIGN FROM SABAH ASSEMBLY". New Straits Times. 12 March 1980. p. 1. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ↑ "NOMINATION DAY FOR STATE SEATS". New Straits Times. 5 April 1980. p. 8. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ↑ "BERJAYA TO RETAIN STATE SEATS". New Straits Times. 13 March 1980. p. 6. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- 1 2 "Straight fights for two Sabah seats". New Straits Times. 28 April 1980. p. 10. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- 1 2 "Berjaya wins by-elections". New Straits Times. 25 May 1980. p. 1. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
