SG BAKAP POLLS: PH'S BEST OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE HISTORY BY DEFEATING INCUMBENT - SAIFUDDIN

NIBONG TEBAL, June 22 (Bernama) -- The upcoming Sungai Bakap state by-election is the best opportunity for Pakatan Harapan (PH) to potentially recapture the seat, thereby contributing to the strengthening of the Unity Government in Penang.

PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that based on the results of the seven by-elections held previously, the incumbent parties managed to retain their victories. Therefore, the PH candidate in the Sungai Bakap state by-election would need to pull off a surprise by defeating the candidate fielded by Perikatan Nasional (PN).

“In the Simpang Pulai by-election following the passing of (Datuk Seri) Salahuddin Ayub, both the parliamentary and the state seats were successfully retained by the Unity Government, so there was no surprise. Similarly, in the Pelangai state by-election, the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate retained the victory, while in the Kemaman parliamentary by-election, PAS and PN retained the seat.

“So, this is an opportunity for us because Sungai Bakap was previously won by PN. This is the best opportunity for the Unity Government candidate to create history by defeating the incumbent on July 6. This is our target,” he told reporters after the nomination of candidates at the Jawi Multipurpose Hall, Taman Desa Jawi, today.

Earlier today, returning officer Khairulnizam Hashim announced that the Sungai Bakap by-election will witness a straight fight between PH candidate Dr Joohari Ariffin and PN candidate Abidin Ismail.

In the meantime, Penang DAP Chairman Chow Kon Yeow urged voters to support Joohari for the sake of continued unity, prosperity, and well-being that the state is currently experiencing.

“Make the togetherness of the Unity Government a source of inspiration for the unification of the multiracial people and completely reject sentiments that can damage this unity,” he said.

Meanwhile, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang expressed confidence that the late Nor Zamri Latiff's good track record while representing the people in the constituency will give the coalition an advantage to retain the seat.

He said the candidate fielded was also not a stranger because he was an assistant to the deceased, thus making it easier for him to understand the problems experienced by the local population.

PN election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor hopes that coalition supporters will campaign prudently and abide by the rules set throughout the 14-day campaign period so that it always takes place in a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.

“We promise not to instigate any provocation. If people make provocations, we will not tolerate them. We want this election to take place peacefully and harmoniously. The people know who is the best candidate to be elected,” he said.

The Sungai Bakap state by-election is being held following the death of Nor Zamri on May 24 due to stomach inflammation.

The Election Commission (EC) has set July 6 as the polling day, while early voting is on July 2.

-- BERNAMA