Saifuddin: Perikatan's 'green wave' has diminished to a ripple

NIBONG TEBAL: The green wave of Perikatan Nasional has diminished to a ripple, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

The Pakatan Harapan secretary-general said Perikatan falsely used the term during last year's state election, telling voters that the opposition coalition could topple the unity government coalition.

"This is another strategy used by Perikatan to maintain its momentum. They created a narrative that if they win the election, the central government will change, and they need to keep that momentum going," he said.

Saifuddin, however, said the significance of the Sungai Bakap by-election was to strengthen the unity government in Penang, not about the so-called green wave.

He said Pakatan and the unity government were optimistic that they could win the by-election, but the focus now was on the remaining 48 hours to convince voters to come out and vote.

He urged voters to come out early and exercise their democratic right on polling day.

He emphasised the importance of voter participation in the democratic process to ensure the right candidate was chosen to represent the constituency.

The July 6 by-election would see a straight fight between Pakatan candidate Dr Joohari Ariffin and Perikatan Nasional’s Abidin Ismail, following the demise of the incumbent Nor Zamri Latiff on May 24 due to stomach inflammation.

The Election Commission (EC) has designated a 14-day campaign period for the by-election from June 22 until 11.59pm on July 5.

Polling day will be on Saturday (July 6).