1980 Sugut by-election

1980 Sugut in Sabah, Malaysia 1980 Sugut by-election Flag of Sabah (1963-1982).svg Sabah by-election no 1976 Sabah state election 1976 1981 Sabah state election 1981 Sugut seat in the Sabah State Legislative Assembly 21-24 May 1980 BERJAYA Pengiran Khafid Pengiran Salleh 000000 BERJAYA BN 1,481 73.98% IND Buangan Gawat Independent politicians Independent 410 20.48% Sugut assemblyman Betua Abbah BERJAYA Pengiran Khafid Pengiran Salleh BERJAYA 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.POLLING FOR TWO SABAH SEATS BEGINS https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8ANOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mY4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3907%2C4194476 16 April 2025 New Straits Times 22 May 1980 24 It was called following the resignation of the incumbent, Betua Abbah on 11 March 1980.Two resignations https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19800312-1.2.2.3 16 April 2025 The Business Times (Singapore) 12 March 1980 1 subscription The by election were held on the same dates as 1980 Kemabong by-election. Background Betua 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.TWO RESIGN FROM SABAH ASSEMBLY https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=M7ITAAAAIBAJ&sjid=c5oDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3841%2C1983771 16 April 2025 New Straits Times 12 March 1980 1 Harris stated the reason given for Betua resignation was for health reasons, and to make way for a 'young and energetic candidate'. 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.NOMINATION DAY FOR STATE SEATS https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9JFUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=948DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5046%2C905341 16 April 2025 New Straits Times 5 April 1980 8 Nomination and campaign After both BERJAYA resignations, USNO said that they would not contest the by-elections, to focus their resources in the upcoming state election.BERJAYA TO RETAIN STATE SEATS https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NLITAAAAIBAJ&sjid=c5oDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4884%2C2162930 16 April 2025 New Straits Times 13 March 1980 6 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.Straight fights for two Sabah seats https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=C5JUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=948DAAAAIBAJ&pg=1247%2C5274985 16 April 2025 New Straits Times 28 April 1980 10 BERJAYA named businessman Pengiran Abdul Khafid bin Pengiran Salleh, while an independent candidate Buangan bin Gawat also handed his nomination. Pengiran Khafid previously had lost to Betua in the 1976 state elections. Timeline The key dates are listed below. DateEventIssue of the Writ of Election 26 April 1980Nomination Day 26 April-20 May 1980Campaigning Period Early polling day for postal and overseas voters 21-24 May 1980Polling Day Results Election result 1980 Sabah 21-24 May 1980 Sugut (state constituency) Sugut yes yes yes Upon the resignation of incumbent, Betua Abbah Sabah People's United Front Pengiran Khafid Pengiran Salleh 1,481 73.98 43.25 Independent politician 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 ? ? Sabah People's United Front United Sabah National Organisation ? Berjaya wins by-elections https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8gNOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mY4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=1859%2C4584973 16 April 2025 New Straits Times 25 May 1980 1 Previous result Sabah 1976 Sugut (state constituency) Sugut yes yes United Sabah National Organisation Betua Abbah 1,837 66.48 Sabah People's United Front 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 United Sabah National Organisation ? https://github.com/TindakMalaysia/HISTORICAL-ELECTION-RESULTS/blob/main/1976-SABAH-STATE-ELECTIONS/SABAH_1976_DUN_RESULTS.csv SABAH_1976_DUN_RESULTS Aftermath After 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. Pengiran Khafid would successfully defend the seat in the next year's state election. References Malaysia Politics Category:By-elections in Malaysia Category:Sabah state elections