Arthur Chiong Sen Sern

Summary

Arthur Chiong Sen Sern (born 3 February 1990) is a PKR politician serving as Bukit Batu assemblyman in Johor — the sole PKR seat in the state following the 2022 state election, won by a majority of just 137 votes. He transitioned from MCA to PKR between 2018 and 2019 and has since held multiple PKR party roles at branch and state level. As of June 2026, he has been named by Pakatan Harapan as its first candidate for the 16th Johor state election scheduled for 11 July 2026, defending his seat in a five-cornered contest.

Biography

Arthur Chiong Sen Sern (born 3 February 1990) is a Malaysian politician serving as Member of the Johor State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the Bukit Batu constituency [1]. He is a member of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), a component party of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition [1]. A native of Kulai, Johor, Chiong was formerly a member of the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), which he quit in 2018 following that year's general election [1]. He joined PKR in 2019, serving as PKR Tebrau Branch Secretary and Treasurer of PKR Tebrau Youth [1]. Within PKR, he has held roles including Director of Strategies for PKR Johor, Deputy Branch Chief of Tebrau, and Branch Chief of Kulai [1]. In the March 2022 Johor state election, Chiong won the Bukit Batu seat with 9,439 votes, defeating BN candidate S. Suppayah by a majority of 137 in a four-cornered contest [2]. The Election Court ruled his victory valid on 29 June 2022, after the BN candidate filed a petition [3]. He is reported to be the only PKR assemblyman in Johor [1]. In June 2026, PH named him as its first candidate for the 16th Johor state election on 11 July 2026, defending the Bukit Batu seat in a five-cornered contest [4].

Known for

Arthur Chiong Sen Sern is identified as the sole PKR assemblyman in Johor following the 2022 state election [1]. He is noted for winning the Bukit Batu seat by the narrowest margin in the 2022 Johor state election — a majority of just 137 votes — in a four-cornered contest [2]. His political trajectory is defined by a transition from MCA to PKR between 2018 and 2019, positioning him as a Chinese-Malaysian PKR representative in a state where PKR holds only a single seat [1].

Political positions

Based on available sources, Chiong has publicly framed his constituency approach as multiracial and inclusive, stating that the election contest should be evaluated based on policy and welfare delivery rather than race or religion [5]. He has cited residents' economic welfare and the protection of their rights in Bukit Batu as central to his platform [5]. Infrastructure development and tourism — with specific reference to the Gunung Pulai area within Bukit Batu — have been cited in reporting as among his stated priorities for the constituency [6]. No detailed committee appointments or formal policy positions on national legislation are available from the allowlist sources.

Before politics

1. 2018Quit the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) following the 2018 general election.⛓

Political career

1. 2019Joined PKR; served as PKR Tebrau Branch Secretary and Treasurer of PKR Tebrau Youth.⛓
2. 12 March 2022Won the Bukit Batu state seat in the Johor state election with 9,439 votes, defeating BN's S. Suppayah by a majority of 137 votes in a four-cornered contest.⛓
3. 29 May 2022Elected as Deputy Branch Chief of Tebrau, PKR.⛓
4. 29 June 2022Election Court ruled his March 2022 Bukit Batu victory valid, dismissing the election petition filed by BN candidate S. Suppayah.⛓
5. 21 April 2025Elected as Branch Chief of Kulai, PKR.⛓
6. 13 June 2026Named by Pakatan Harapan as its first candidate for the 16th Johor state election, defending the Bukit Batu seat. The candidacy was endorsed by PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.⛓
7. 27 June 2026Nomination Day for the 16th Johor state election confirmed. Chiong faces a five-cornered contest in Bukit Batu against candidates from BN, Muda, Bersama, and one independent.⛓

Election history

• 2022Bukit Batu (N51), JohorWon39.1%⛓

Perspectives on key issues

• GovernmentJohor caretaker Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi called out Chiong for spreading misinformation after Chiong claimed he did not receive any state allocation. According to The Star, Chiong subsequently apologised and retracted the remark on 14 June 2026.⛓
• OppositionKulai BN chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor dismissed as baseless claims that PH assemblymen in Johor received no state allocations, stating that every opposition assemblyman received RM200,000 annually and participated in official state development meetings. According to Malay Mail, he said the Johor government took a professional approach to administration regardless of political affiliation.⛓
• ExpertUniversiti Malaya socio-political analyst Prof Datuk Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi assessed that Bukit Batu could be targeted by Bersama party due to former PKR networks, but noted that many voters continue to vote based on the Pakatan logo and Anwar Ibrahim's leadership rather than on party defections.⛓
• VerifiedFactsThe Election Court confirmed on 29 June 2022 that Chiong's victory in Bukit Batu at the 2022 Johor state election was valid, dismissing the petition filed by BN candidate S. Suppayah following a disputed recount demand.⛓

Notable legal history

Following the March 2022 Johor state election, BN candidate S. Suppayah disputed the result and filed an election petition after demanding a recount, claiming a leak during the vote tally process (Source: malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/06/27/bukit-batu-contest-heats-up-five-candidates-challenge-pakatan-incumbent-in-highstakes-battle/225411). The Election Court ruled on 29 June 2022 that Chiong's victory was valid (Source: hmetro.com.my/mutakhir/2022/06/852263/kemenangan-arthur-chiong-di-dun-bukit-baru-sah; malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/06/27/bukit-batu-contest-heats-up-five-candidates-challenge-pakatan-incumbent-in-highstakes-battle/225411). This is a finalised matter with no further proceedings reported.