NIBONG TEBAL: Perikatan Nasional (PN), which currently holds 10 seats in the state legislative assembly, is deemed sufficient to serve as the opposition in the state.
PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution said that if voters in Sungai Bakap continue to choose PN as their representative, it would make no difference to the area.
The state assembly consists of 40 seats. In the last state elections, the unity government secured 29 seats, while PN had 11 seats.
"Following the death of one PN assemblyman, they are now left with 10 seats, which is more than enough to serve as the opposition.
"It makes no difference if voters in Sungai Bakap elect another opposition representative. It would be better to give the opportunity to the Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate representing the unity government, who has high academic qualifications and is willing to serve as their representative," he said during his ceramah at Taman Widuri, Sungai Jawi, last night.
Saifuddin said a victory for the PH candidate in Sungai Bakap would strengthen the position of the unity government in Penang.
"Since 2008, the Penang government has been ruled by PH, which has extensive experience and has organised various welfare programmes, even when they were in opposition (not being aligned with the federal government) before the formation of the unity government in the 15th general election.
"The Penang government has a clear record in terms of aid distribution, including to school children, university entrance, mosques and suraus, taxi and bus drivers, and the i-Sejahtera cash aid for senior citizens and single mothers.
"This has been proven as PH has governed Penang, now entering its fourth term, and this is an opportunity for Sungai Bakap voters to choose a unity candidate to represent them. There are many advantages if their representative is from the unity government," he added.
The by-election for the Sungai Bakap state seat in Penang will see a direct contest between Pakatan Harapan's Dr Joohari Ariffin and Perikatan Nasional's Abidin Ismail.
Joohari, 60, a former educator, is the PH candidate, while Abidin Ismail, 56, a former logistics executive and Pas Nibong Tebal vice president, is the PN candidate.
The by-election is being held following the death of its assemblyman, Pas' Nor Zamri Latiff, on May 24.
In the 2023 state polls, Nor Zamri won the Sungai Bakap state seat for PN against PKR's Nurhidayah Che Rus with a majority of 1,563 votes.