NIBONG TEBAL: Penang Pas commissioner Muhammad Fauzi Yusoff has downplayed PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli's claim that Malay voters in Sungai Bakap were increasingly showing support for the unity government.
He said it was "normal" for Rafizi to come out with his survey results.
"After all, he is known as the formula minister. He has his own formula.
"But let's wait and see on July 6 (polling day). Let's see if what Rafizi said is true," he said.
On Sunday, Rafizi had said that, based on a party survey, only 48 per cent of Malays in Sungai Bakap currently support Perikatan Nasional.
He had said this marked a significant drop from the August state elections, where about 77 per cent of Malay voters backed PN.
Elaborating, Fauzi said PN aimed to increase its majority during this by-election.
"We have been getting encouraging response from all voters in Sungai Bakap, whether, Malay, Chinese or Indian.
"Many people are angry with what is happening and we hope that can be translated into votes in our favour," he added.
The Sungai Bakap by-election will see a straight fight between PN's Abidin Ismail and Pakatan Harapan's Dr Joohari Ariffin.
The by-election was triggered following the death of Pas' Nor Zamri Latiff on May 24.
In the 2023 state election, Nor Zamri won against PKR's Nurhidayah Che Rus with a 1,563 vote-majority.
Meanwhile, on Rafizi's attack against Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man for not doing anything to resolve the water issue in Sungai Bakap when he was the minister in charge of water then, Fauzi asked if Rafizi knew what he was talking about.
He said the issue was not under the ministry but rather the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP).
Yesterday, Tuan Ibrahim had said Rafizi needed to differentiate between the responsibility of the federal government and the duties of the water operator under the state government.
Tuan Ibrahim said the federal government through the Water Services Industry Act (WASIA) 2006 and Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd (PAAB) only owned the water assets while the states would continue to manage water resources.
The water supply disruption issue in Sungai Bakap has been using as a tool in the ongoing Sungai Bakap by-election.
On Saturday, Rafizi during a ceramah had criticised PN for using the water supply disruption issue in their campaign, pointing out that Tuan Ibrahim, who previously served as the minister in charge of water, failed to address the problem during his tenure.