THE Penang Unity government has unanimously agreed to give Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) the mandate to select a candidate for the upcoming Sungai Bakap by-election.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who also heads the state Unity government, made this announcement during a press conference at the state DAP headquarters in Rangoon Road today.
Also present at the press conference were state leaders of the various component parties from the Pakatan Harapan coalition, including Penang PKR chairman Nurul Izzah Anwar, Penang Amanah chairman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil; as well as Penang Umno chairman Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir from Barisan Nasional.
The seat became vacant following the death of the incumbent, Nor Zamri Latiff, on May 24 due to stomach inflammation. He passed away at the Seberang Jaya Hospital.
Nor Zamri, who was also the Nibong Tebal PAS chief, defeated Nurhidayah by a majority of 1,563 votes, securing 15,433 votes against Nurhidayah’s 13,870 votes.
Chow said the unanimous decision demonstrates their united spirit going into the race despite the challenges.
“We’re looking forward to this renewed spirit of unity amongst the component parties of the Perpaduan (Unity) state government and hopefully this will make a difference in the Sungai Bakap by-election.
“We’ve seen this spirit of understanding and collaboration bring positive results in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election.
“Hopefully, with this spirit, not only from Penang but also the whole country, we will achieve victory for our candidate,” Chow, who is also the state DAP chairman, said at the press conference.
Nurul Izzah, the former Permatang Pauh MP and daughter of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, said the Penang PKR has submitted five names, including both male and female candidates, to the party headquarters for consideration.
“Whoever is selected, we want to field a winnable candidate. This is a serious affair, and we want to ensure we make a good decision.
“We have a cordial meeting amongst all present here today and we aim to offer a candidate who will provide excellent services to the people of Sungai Bakap,” Nurul Izzah commented.
Both Muhammad Faiz, the former Permatang Pasir assemblyman, and Musa, a veteran Umno leader, said their party members would fully support the candidate nominated by PKR.
Other state leaders who attended the Unity meeting before the press conference included Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, DAP secretary Lim Hui Ying, state executive councillors Zairil Khir Johari, Jason H’ng Mooi Lye and Rashidi Zinol; Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik, Penang Umno deputy chairman Datuk Dr Sheikh Hussein, state Amanah vice-chairman II Fadzil Abdullah and Amanah secretary Zahar Zainul.
A day ago, Penang PKR deputy chairman Datuk Mohamad Abdul Hamid mentioned that the state leadership received the names of potential candidates from its branches and division in Nibong Tebal. The candidates, aged between 30 and 60, included both locals and outsiders.
Nibong Tebal PKR chief Dr Amar Pritpal Abdullah, a former state Deputy Speaker, held the seat from 2018 to 2023 but was replaced by Nurhidayah in the 2024 state election.
The Election Commission is set to meet on June 6 to set the dates for nominations and voting.
Sungai Bakap comes under the Nibong Tebal parliamentary constituency, which also includes the Jawi and Sungai Acheh state seats.
In this year’s state election, the Jawi seat was retained by PH’s Jason H’ng Mooi Lye (DAP), the current state Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman, while the Sungai Acheh seat was won by PH’s Rashidi Zinol (Umno), the current state Entrepreneurial Development, Trade and Industry Committee chairman.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek is the Nibong Tebal MP.
According to EC data from the 2023 state election, the Sungai Bakap seat has 38,409 voters with the majority being Malays (59.36%), followed by Chinese (22.54%), Indians (17.39%) and others (0.71%).