NIBONG TEBAL, June 22 — The Sungai Bakap by-election will see a straight fight between Pakatan Harapan (Harapan) and Perikatan Nasional (PN).
Harapan has pinned its hopes on former Institut Aminuddin Baki northern branch director Joohari Ariffin to recapture the PKR stronghold, while PN is represented by former logistics executive and Nibong Tebal PAS deputy president Abidin Ismail.
PN will be looking to defend the seat it won in the Penang election in August.
The candidates were announced by Returning Officer Khairulnizam Hashim at Dewan Serbaguna Jawi, Taman Desa Jawi, here today.
Khairulnizam announced that Joohari, accompanied by a proposer and a seconder, submitted his nomination form at 9.03am, followed by Abidin at 9.06am.
The campaign period begins today and ends at 11.59pm on July 5. Polling is on July 6, while early voting is on July 2.
The electoral roll for Sungai Bakap comprises 39,279 balloters — 39,222 ordinary voters and 57 police personnel.
Earlier, Joohari arrived at the nomination centre accompanied by supporters and several Unity Government leaders, including PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng, and Amanah strategic director Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
Also present to support Joohari were Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, PKR information chief Fahmi Fadzil, PKR deputy information chief Datuk R. Ramanan, Penang PKR leadership council chairman Nurul Izzah Anwar, Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow, and Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir.
Abidin was accompanied by PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, Bersatu vice-president Datuk Radzi Jidin and Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
Also present were PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, and PAS deputy murshidul am Datuk Ahmad Yakob.
The Sungai Bakap by-election was called after the death of incumbent Nor Zamri Latiff from PAS on May 24 due to stomach inflammation.
In the Penang election in August, Nor Zamri, who was also Nibong Tebal PAS president, defeated Harapan candidate Nurhidayah Che Rose with a majority of 1,563 votes.
This by-election is the eighth one held after the 2022 General Election.
— Bernama
