Five names for Sungai Bakap

NIBONG TEBAL: Penang PKR has submitted five names to the party’s central leadership for consideration as the Pakatan Harapan candidate for the upcoming Sungai Bakap by-election.

Penang PKR deputy chairman Datuk Mohamad Abdul Hamid said the state leadership received the names of potential candidates from its branches and division in Nibong Tebal.

“The candidates are aged between 30 and 60. Some are locals and some are from outside the area,” he told reporters yesterday, Bernama reported.

Also present were Nibong Tebal MP Fadhlina Sidek, who is Education Minister, and Penang infrastructure, transport and digital committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari.

The Sungai Bakap state seat fell vacant following the death of its incumbent Nor Zamri Latiff, who is Nibong Tebal PAS chief, on May 24 due to stomach inflammation.

In the 2023 state election, Nor Zamri, who contested under the Perikatan Nasional banner, wrested Sungai Bakap from Pakatan by defeating Nurhidayah Che Rose from PKR.

Nor Zamri polled 15,433 votes to secure a 1,563-winning majority in a seat where 59% of its voters are Malays.

Meanwhile, Fadhlina, who is PKR Wanita chief, said the wing had started working early in Sungai Bakap.

“Our mission is to reclaim Sungai Bakap and provide the best service to the residents,” she added.

Separately in Kuala Terengganu, Bersatu information chief Datuk Razali Idris said Perikatan will meet to determine who their Sungai Bakap candidate is after the Election Commission sets the date for the polls.

“We will decide on whether the candidate comes from Bersatu or PAS at the meeting. The Perikatan supreme council will also get feedback from grassroots leaders in Penang,” he reportedly said.

Bersatu and PAS, together with Gerakan, are part of Perikatan.

“Bersatu will support whoever is the candidate, whether he or she is from PAS or Bersatu. What is most important is that we retain the seat for Perikatan,” said Razali.