NIBONG TEBAL: As campaigning for the Sungai Bakap by-election enters its sixth day, the momentum has picked up for both candidates from Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional.
For PH's Dr Joohari Ariffin, he has covered almost 50 per cent of the state constituency.
"Alhamdullilah, we have managed to cover between 48 and 50 per cent.
"We have now moved into house-to-house campaigning. Overall, the response has been very encouraging.
"I can sense that the campaigning is becoming increasingly interesting," he said when met on his campaign trail here.
Joohari said he was confident that he would be able to fully cover the Sungai Bakap constituency before campaigning ends next Friday.
The Sungai Bakap by-election will see a straight fight between Joohari and PN's Abidin Ismail.
The Election Commission has fixed poling on July 6.
Joohari said throughout his campaign trail, he had listened attentively to the people's laments and concerns.
"The main issue here is the soaring cost of living.
"I also feel that that will be the priority if I am voted in as the elected representative in the by-election," he added, noting that there were also other local issues raised.
When speaking at the Ceramah Perpaduan in Sungai Duri here last night, one of the grey areas in Sungai Bakap, Joohari addressed the issue of having high academic qualifications and how it would help him if he became an elected representative.
He said such academic credentials also helps with leadership skills.
"As a former educator, I have educated my students well. As a former director of Institut Aminuddin Baki, I have also managed fellow educators.
"Isn't that enough for me to manage the people now?
"I am highly confident, Insya Allah. That, coupled with my experience. I am in the position to manage and lead the people of Sungaj Bakap and turn it into an excellent state constituency," he said.
Political analysts had said that both the unity government and PN are seeing the Sungai Bakap by-election as the latest testing ground for their respective popularity.
Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow Dr Oh Ei Sun said this was visible from the large turnout of national leaders during nomination day and ceramah on the first day of campaigning.
Both Joohari and Abidin have expressed high hopes of winning due to the encouraging support from voters of all races during their campaign trail.