Sg Bakap polls: Door-to-door canvassing a more personal touch, says PN candidate

NIBONG TEBAL: Despite a personal preference for face-to-face interaction, Perikatan Nasional candidate for the Sungai Bakap seat says he will maintain an active presence on social media.

Abidin Ismail, 56, said he prefers door-to-door visits as it enables him to engage with voters directly.

"We still need social media as a platform to make public our mission and vision.

"However, I am keen to reach as many voters in the constituency as possible before polling day by visiting the voters," he told reporters after visiting the coalition’s operations room at Kampung Besar.

He spent about 30 minutes meeting with PAS and Perikatan supporters before moving to another location in his campaign trail.

Abidin said, as he was a familiar face among the locals, making door-to-door visits would enable him to find out more about the problems faced by the constituents.

The former special officer to the late Nor Zamri Latiff said during the initial campaigning period, he and his team received positive response from the voters.

"The feedback has been positive, whether at the wet or night market, people have been welcoming," he said, adding that such a reception was an encouraging sign.

Due to the poor internet connection in South Seberang Perai, Abidin also considers face-to-face visits an effective strategy to engage with rural voters.

The Sungai Bakap by-election sees a straight fight between Pakatan Harapan candidate Dr Joohari Ariffin and Abidin, following the death of the incumbent Nor Zamri Latiff on May 24 due to stomach inflammation.

The Election Commission (EC) has set July 6 for polling and a 14-day campaign period running from June 22 until 11.59pm on July 5.