Sg Bakap polls: I am not joining the campaign, says Anwar

BUTTERWORTH: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he will return to Putrajaya and leave the Sungai Bakap by-election to other PKR leaders there.

"I am not joining the Sungai Bakap by-election campaign.

"I will leave it to Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid (who is also Penang PKR State Leadership Council deputy chairman) and the others to handle it," he said at the launching of the three-day Tekun Madani Carnival held at SP Arena, Seberang Jaya, Penang on Saturday (June 29).

"He stated that his main priority is the economy and addressing the needs and concerns of the people."

"I am for the people and want to maintain their trust," he said.

In the Sungai Bakap state by-election, the unity government is banking on the former director of Institut Aminuddin Baki (Northern Branch), Dr Joohari Ariffin of Pakatan Harapan, to wrest the state seat while Perikatan Nasional named former logistics executive Abidin Ismail, who is also the Nibong Tebal PAS vice-chief, as their candidate.

Joohari and Abidin are involved in a straight fight in the July 6 by-election, which was called following the death of assemblyman Nor Zamri Latiff from PAS on May 24 due to stomach inflammation.