Che Alias, a member of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) of Perikatan Nasional (PN) was first elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kemaman in Terengganu defeating Ahmad Said of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) of Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, Hasuni Sudin of the People's Justice Party (PKR) of Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition and Rosli Abd Ghani of the Homeland Fighters Party (PEJUANG) of Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) coalition by a majority of 27,179 votes in 2022 general election (GE15).

Judge Anselm Charles Fernandis ruled that the petitioner of BN Wan Mohamad Hisham Wan Abdul Jalil succeeded in proving that there had been elements of inducement of voters during the campaigning period of the election and corruption had taken place with the aim of influencing voters through programmes of fund distribution by the Terengganu state government in the election.

Hafarizam stressed that the Anselm had called the lead counsel of both parties into his chambers and informed them that he would notify the Election Commission (EC) of his ruling on a week later on 3 October 2023 if there was no appeal notice, indicating a decision on whether to file a notice of appeal should be made by that day and within a week.

[2] On 3 October 2023, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of BN and President of UMNO Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stressed that it would be good for BN to test the electoral support for the coalition in Kemaman once again although the opposing PN has the advantage in the Malay-majority and rural areas like Kemaman and bring down the majority of PN in the by-election from its majority in the 2022 general election should it win.

[3] On 13 November 2023, BN nominated former Chief of Defence Forces Raja Mohamed Affandi as its candidate.