Air Itam (Penang state constituency)

Air Itam is a state constituency in Penang, Malaysia, that has been represented in the Penang State Legislative Assembly since 1959. It covers much of Air Itam, a western suburb of George Town.

Air Itam
Penang constituency
Air Itam (olive) on Penang
State constituency
LegislaturePenang State Legislative Assembly
MLA
 
 
 
Joseph Ng Soon Siang
PH
Constituency created1959 (as Ayer Itam)
First contested1959
Last contested2023
Demographics
Electors (2023)[1]23,085
Area (km²)[2]3

The state constituency was first contested in 1959 and is mandated to return a single Assemblyman to the Penang State Legislative Assembly under the first-past-the-post voting system. Since 2018, the State Assemblyman for Air Itam is Joseph Ng Soon Seong from the Democratic Action Party (DAP), which is part of the state's ruling coalition, Pakatan Harapan (PH).

Definition

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Polling districts

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According to the federal gazette issued on 18 July 2023, the Air Itam constituency is divided into 9 polling districts.[3]

State constituency Polling districts Code Location
Air Itam (N33) Ayer Itam 051/33/01 SJK (C) Kong Min Cawangan Satu
Happy Valley 051/33/02 SJK (C) Chiao Nan
Jalan Kampong Pisang 051/33/03 SK Sri Aman
Kampong Melayu 051/33/04 SK Ayer Itam
Jalan Chor Sin Kheng 051/33/05 SM Chung Ling (Persendirian)
Thean Teik 051/33/06 SJK (C) Sin Kang
Zoo Road 051/33/07 SMJK Chung Ling
Jalan Shaik Madar 051/33/08 SMJK Chung Ling
Cheeseman Road 051/33/09 SMK Georgetown

This state seat comprises a large chunk of Air Itam, a suburb of George Town nestled in the central valleys of Penang Island.[4] The 'old town', which contains the Air Itam Market and the Kek Lok Si Temple, is also situated within this constituency.

Air Itam Road forms the northern limits of the Air Itam constituency, with the portion of Air Itam north of the road falling under either Air Putih or Kebun Bunga constituencies. To the south, the Air Itam seat is partly bounded along the Dondang River; the portion of Air Itam south of the river, including Farlim, falls under the neighbouring Paya Terubong constituency. The Air Itam constituency also stretches up to Green Lane and Scotland Road to the east.

Demographics

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Ethnic breakdown of Air Itam's electorate as of 2023[5]

  Chinese (64.86%)
  Malay (23.25%)
  Indian (11.10%)
  Other ethnicities (0.79%)
Total electors by polling district in 2016
Polling district Electors
Ayer Itam 2,362
Cheeseman Road 1,291
Happy Valley 2,112
Jalan Chor Sin Kheng 2,178
Jalan Kampong Pisang 1,707
Jalan Shaik Madar 1,449
Kampong Melayu 3,133
Thean Teik 3,375
Zoo Road 1,292
Total 18,899
Source: Malaysian Election Commission[6]

History

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The Air Itam state constituency was originally named Ayer Itam when it was formed prior to the 1959 State Elections. The seat was then given its present name in time for the 1995 State Election.

Since its formation in 1959, the Air Itam seat has experienced one by-election. The 1965 Ayer Itam by-election marked the first time an opposition party captured the constituency, as Lim Kean Siew from the Labour Party became the State Assemblyman for Ayer Itam until the 1969 State Election.

Representation history

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Members of the Legislative Assembly for Air Itam
Assembly Years Member Party
Constituency created
Ayer Itam
1st 1959 – 1964 Chor Sin Kheng Alliance (MCA)
2nd 1964 – 1965
1965 – 1969 Lim Kean Siew Socialist Front (Lab)
1969 - 1971 Assembly dissolved
3rd 1971 – 1974 Tan Phock Kin Gerakan
4th 1974 – 1978 David Choong Ewe Leong BN (MCA)
5th 1978 – 1982 Peter Paul Dason DAP
6th 1982 – 1986 Lee Jong Ki BN (MCA)
7th 1986 – 1990 Gooi Hock Seng DAP
8th 1990 – 1995 Ong Hock Aun GR (DAP)
Air Itam
9th 1995 – 1999 Lye Siew Weng BN (MCA)
10th 1999 – 2004
11th 2004 – 2008 Cheang Chee Gooi BN (Gerakan)
12th 2008 – 2013 Wong Hon Wai PR (DAP)
13th 2013 – 2018
14th 2018 – 2023 Joseph Ng Soon Siang PH (DAP)
15th 2023–present

Election results

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The electoral results for the Air Itam state constituency in 2008, 2013 and 2018 are as follows.

Penang state election, 2023
Party Candidate Votes % ∆%
PH Joseph Ng Soon Siang 12,456 79.20   0.60
PN Cheang Chee Gooi 3,267 20.80   20.80
Total valid votes 15,723 100.00
Total rejected ballots 124
Unreturned ballots 26
Turnout 15,873 68.76   12.74
Registered electors 23,085
Majority 9,185 58.40   2.10
PH hold Swing
Penang state election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes % ∆%
PH Joseph Ng Soon Siang 12,588 79.80   79.80
BN Tan Kah Leong 3,047 19.30   6.80
Malaysian United Party Kang Teik Woi 148 0.90   0.90
Total valid votes 15,783 100.00
Total rejected ballots 151
Unreturned ballots 54
Turnout 15,988 81.50   2.80
Registered electors 19,622
Majority 9,541 60.50   12.70
PH hold Swing
Source(s)

"His Majesty's Government Gazette - Notice of Contested Election, State Legislative Assembly for the State of Penang [P.U. (B) 252/2018]" (PDF). Attorney General's Chambers of Malaysia. 3 May 2018. Retrieved 2018-08-01.[permanent dead link]

"Federal Government Gazette - Results of Contested Election and Statements of the Poll after the Official Addition of Votes, State Constituencies for the State of Penang [P.U. (B) 326/2018]" (PDF). Attorney General's Chambers of Malaysia. 28 May 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 August 2019. Retrieved 2018-08-01.
Penang state election, 2013
Party Candidate Votes % ∆%
DAP Wong Hon Wai 11,308 73.90   12.60
BN Loo Jieh Sheng 3,992 26.10   12.60
Total valid votes 15,300 100.00
Total rejected ballots 193
Unreturned ballots 31
Turnout 15,524 84.30   11.00
Registered electors 18,407
Majority 7,316 47.80   25.20
Air Itam hold Swing DAP
Penang state election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes % ∆%
DAP Wong Hon Wai 7,401 61.30
BN Cheang Chee Gooi 4,674 38.70
Total valid votes 12,075 100.00
Total rejected ballots 182
Unreturned ballots 3
Turnout 12,260 73.30
Registered electors 16,721
Majority 2,727 22.60
DAP gain from BN Swing ?


See also

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References

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"Keputusan Pilihan Raya Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya". Election Commission of Malaysia. Archived from the original on 2016-04-24. Retrieved 2016-05-21.