Sg Bakap polls: BN pledges to support Pakatan candidate

NIBONG TEBAL: Barisan Nasional has pledged its support for the Pakatan Harapan candidate in the upcoming Sungai Bakap by-election.

Penang Barisan chairman Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir said it is vital to ensure victory for the unity government and wrest the seat from Perikatan Nasional.

"The old chapter is closed and we now have a new one.

"People ask if MCA and MIC will help the unity government in the by-election. I said here in Penang, we work as a team and both parties have said they will help Pakatan," he said in his speech during the launch of unity coalition election machinery here on Sunday (June 9).

Musa, who is also Penang Umno chief, said that the entire Barisan machinery is ready to ensure victory for the Pakatan candidate.

"With us together, we will start a new spirit with a unified machinery," he said.

Earlier Jelutong MP RSN Rayer said the Indian community in the state as well as in Sungai Bakap have always supported Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

"We know he has various plans and programs being developed to benefit the people.

"Therefore, I urge my friends not to be swayed by the irresponsible parties urging us not to vote," he said.

Hundreds of supporters from both Pakatan and Barisan were at the launch of the unity coalition election machinery.

Also present were PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli, Penang Pakatan chairman Chow Kon Yeow and Sungai Bakap by-election director Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid.

Also present were unity coalition leaders from Penang, Kedah and Perak.

The Sungai Bakap state seat fell vacant following the death of Nor Zamri Latiff, 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 Election Commission on Thursday (June 6) said that polling has been set for July 6, with Nomination Day on June 22.

Nor Zamri died at 1.38pm on May 24 while receiving treatment at the intensive care unit of Hospital Seberang Jaya.

The Nibong Tebal PAS chief secured 15,433 votes in the August 2023 state election, defeating Pakatan Harapan's Nurhidayah Che Rose.