BUTTERWORTH: Almost 10 months after the state elections in August last year, a rematch looks to be shaping up in Sungai Bakap between PKR and PAS in the upcoming by-election.
In the last elections which were held concurrently in six states last year, the then Nibong Tebal PAS chief Nor Zamri Latiff beat PKR’s Nurhidayah Che Rose by a 1,563-vote majority after polling 15,433 votes.
The PAS’ “green tsunami” then continued to roll on, following its impressive wins in the 15th General Election in November 2022. The Islamist party also made inroads into PKR territories in Penang, including in Sungai Bakap, one of the three state seats under the Nibong Tebal parliamentary constituency.
For this coming battle, which is triggered by Nor Zamri’s death, Pakatan Harapan is banking on grassroots support for PKR to retake the seat in the Malay-dominated area.
A party insider has revealed that former teacher Dr Joohari Ariffin, 60, is the front-runner to be selected for the contest.
“Joohari is a highly respected figure not only in Sungai Bakap but also in Nibong Tebal. He is active in charity work and a former teacher. Practically everyone here knows him,” the insider said.
It is learnt that Joohari used to work closely with Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, who is the Nibong Tebal MP, on her party and parliamentary responsibilities.
A PhD holder from Universiti Sains Malaysia, Joohari is also the current director of Institut Aminuddin Baki (northern branch), which is known for its leadership and management training in education.
Until the last state election, Sungai Bakap was a PKR stronghold, having won it consecutively in 2008, 2013 and 2018.
Datuk Amar Pritpal Abdullah, who won the seat in 2018 and is now the Nibong Tebal PKR division chairman, said the party’s election machinery is ready to ensure a Pakatan victory in the by-election.
“We are ready to make amends for the loss in the state election last year.
“However, the final decision lies with the Prime Minister and PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” he said.
Nurhidayah, the state PKR women’s chief, said the state women’s wing will back any candidate picked by the central leadership.
Meanwhile, PAS has several names on its shortlist.
Among them is Nor Zamri’s wife Musalmah Yusop, 55.
She is seen as the best candidate as she is close to the community thanks to her bakery shop in Nibong Tebal, according to observers.
State PAS commissioner Muhammad Fauzi Yusoff said the party has received a list of candidates from the Nibong Tebal division and also others.
“The candidates have good qualifications, background and experience. We will submit the list and let the party leaders decide,” he said.
The Sungai Bakap state seat fell vacant following the death of Nor Zamri, 56, a first-term assemblyman, on May 24.
Based on Election Commission records from the last state election, the Sungai Bakap constituency has 38,409 voters, with the majority being Malays (59.36%), followed by Chinese (22.54%), Indians (17.39%) and others (0.71%).
The EC will hold a special meeting today to discuss the dates for nomination and polling.
