15th by-election looms following death of Merlimau rep

(The Star) – The country is bracing for the highest number of by-elections since the 12th general election in March 2008.

By-election No 14 is set to take place in Johor’s Tenang state constituency on Jan 30, with another on the cards following the death of the Merlimau assemblyman in Malacca.

Datuk Mohamad Hidhir Abu Hasan, 54, died at Hospital Putra at 8.10pm yesterday following a massive heart attack.

On top of that, by-elections could not be ruled out in two other state constituencies.

On Wednesday, Selangor Speaker Datuk Teng Chang Khim declared the Port Klang seat vacant on the grounds that its representative failed to attend assembly sitting for a stretch of six months.

A question mark also lingers over the Kota Siputeh seat in Kedah, with the Election Commission appealing against a High Court decision declaring the seat vacant.