NIBONG TEBAL: Pakatan Harapan has expressed high optimism that they can wrest the Sungai Bakap state seat in the July 6 by-election.
PH secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said their optimism stemmed from several factors, particularly the strong collaboration between the PH and Barisan Nasional's election machinery.
He said they had succeeded in establishing a network and strong work commitment at all levels.
"With two days to go before polling, I can say here that there is a high level of optimism for us to win the state seat.
"BN chairman and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and I had briefed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (who is the unity government chairman) to give him the latest update.
"And we relay to him our optimism based on this excellent working relationship between PH and BN, which is key to reaching out to all the voters."
Saifuddin said their optimism also stemmed from the effectiveness of their use of social media for campaigning.
"If we can maintain the momentum and leverage the use of social media for campaigning, this will increase our confidence.
"Thirdly, our candidate Dr Joohari Ariffin's campaign schedule itself, where he reached out to almost all polling districts and polling streams based on our data from the previous state elections." Saifuddin said the lack of attendance from Perikatan Nasional national leaders, seen during the nightly ceramah, also worked in their favour.
He said in Kuala Kubu Baru, Pas leaders did not turn out in droves as the candidate was from Bersatu.
"Similarly, here, we only see earnestness among Pas as the candidate is from the party.
"I have been in politics for more than 30 years, and I have some experience to gauge the situation.
"So, we are optimistic that we can win, but we cannot be overly confident."
On the green wave narrative used by the opposition, Saifuddin said it had been reduced to a ripple.
He said PN had used the term to falsely claim in their campaign in last year's state elections that if they won, the unity government would fall.
"What is important now is not the green wave but to increase seats for the unity government in Penang from 29 to 30 in this by-election." Saifuddin said the focus was to get the voters out to vote on polling day.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin and Anwar's senior political secretary, Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin, touched on the survey done in favour of the unity government even before the by-election.
Shamsul said the survey, coupled with programmes held throughout the campaign, would influence the voters before polling day.
"I see the survey results match Saifuddin's optimism," he said.