KOTA BARU: Perikatan Nasional (PN)'s victory in Sungai Bakap by-election yesterday was a clear signal that the people rejected the diesel subsidy rationalisation introduced by the unity government.
Pas information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said the outcome also showed that Pakatan Harapan (PH) failed to attract people in the constituency to vote for the coalition.
"Even though the Sungai Bakap state seat is in the Nibong Tebal parliamentary constituency, which is represented by a minister, it still failed to attract voters to vote for PH.
"It is no doubt that this is a victory for the people in Sungai Bakap. People have sent a clear signal to the Penang government and the (unity government) coalition that the people do not agree with some of the approaches and policies that have been implemented lately," Fadhli said in a statement.
The Pasir Mas member of parliament said the by-election result sends a signal to the Penang government to act more fairly in the issue of project distribution and infrastructure facilities.
He said the people of Sungai Bakap want assurances and immediate action on issues such as the water supply issue in the constituency.
"There should be no more problems since the state and federal governments are from the same political coalition," he said.
Fadhli also congratulated Perikatan Nasional candidate Abidin Ismail for defeating Pakatan Harapan candidate Dr Joohari Ariffin with a larger majority than the previous assemblyman, the late Nor Zamri Latiff.
PN retained the Sungai Bakap state seat in Penang yesterday.
Abidin won 14,489 votes defeating Joohari who gained 10,222 votes.
Abidin led with a 4,267-vote majority. This was a higher majority compared with the result during the state elections last August.