The 1981 Engkilili by-election is a by-election for the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly state seat of Engkilili, Malaysia that were held on 4 and 5 September 1981. It was called following the death of the incumbent, Nadeng Linggoh on 22 July 1981.
Background
Nadeng anak Linggoh, a member of Sarawak National Party (SNAP), were first elected the Sarawak state seat of Engkilili-Skrang at the 1974 Sarawak state election. He successfully defended the seat, now renamed as Engkilili at the 1979 Sarawak state election. By this time he were a Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate, as SNAP joined the national coalition 3 years earlier.
On 22 July 1981, Nadeng passed away, this results of his Engkilili seat to be vacated. This necessitates for a by-election to be held, as the seat were vacated more that 2 years before the expiry of the Sarawak state assembly current term. Election Commission of Malaysia (SPR) announced that the by-election will be held on 4 and 5 September 1981, with 20 August 1981 set as the nomination day.
Nomination and campaign
After the agreement between parties in BN Sarawak that a candidate from SNAP will be nominated for the by-election, Jonathan Narwin anak Tinggong, the member of Parliament for Lubok Antu, were announced as candidate for the seat. Entau anak Mengga, a local farmer, also nominated himself as and independent candidate. A former SNAP member that has failed to secure his party's nomination, he were sacked from the party after announcing his candidacy.
After nomination closed on 20 August 1981, it was confirmed Jonathan and Entau will contest the by-election in a straight fight.
Timeline
The key dates are listed below.
Results
Previous result
Aftermath
After Jonathan was announced as the winner, BN Sarawak director of operations for the by-election and Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister, Daniel Tajem, commented that BN's win reflected the political maturity of the voters. SNAP sectetary-general Leo Moggie said the win shows support of state and federal BN from the rural voters. Leo and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president Alfred Jabu also said that the win were the result of all BN Sarawak component parties, namely SNAP, PBB and Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP), efforts in campaigning together.
Notes
References
