Bn Returns to Power in Kedah with Two-Third Majority
30 NOV 1999 Election-Kedah (Round-up) BN RETURNS TO POWER IN KEDAH WITH TWO-THIRD MAJORITY ALOR SETAR, Nov 30 (Bernama) -- Barisan Nasional (BN) retained power in Kedah with a two-third majority in a close fight in the 10th general election. BN had to wait until the last result was announced to ensure that it could form a stable government through the Sidam state seat which was announced by the Election Commission (EC) at 4.10am. BN candidate Fong Chok Gin, who is also state Gerakan chairman, polled 11,038 votes to beat DAP's G. Gananaguru who garnered 5,556 votes in Sidam. Although BN managed to retain the government, its overall performance in the state declined when it conceded 12 state seats to PAS compared with only two seats in 1995. The BN performance at the parliamentary level also dropped drastically when it only managed to secure seven seats compared to the clean sweep in 1995. In the last general election, BN only lost the Bukit Raya and Sala state seats to PAS. This time around, they lost another eight seats namely Ayer Hitam, Kuala Nerang, Pedu, Bukit Lada, Langgar, Anak Bukit, Pengkalan Kundor, Belantek, Jeneri and Kupang on top of the two. At the parliamentary level, PAS won Jerlun in Padang Terap, Pokok Sena, Kuala Kedah, Pendang, Yan, Sik and Baling. DAP and Keadilan which entered into a pact with PAS to form the so-called Barisan Alternatif did not win any seat either at the state or parliamentary level. In the election this time around, BN also lost four State Exco members, a minister and a parliamentary secretary.
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