NIBONG TEBAL (July 6): Perikatan Nasional (PN) has managed to retain the Sungai Bakap state seat in Penang as its candidate Abidin Ismail emerged victorious in the by-election with a 4,267-vote margin over Pakatan Harapan candidate Dr Joohari Ariffin. 

This is a significantly larger margin, compared with the 1,563-vote majority when PN won the seat in the Penang state election in August last year.

In that bout, PN’s Nor Zamri Latiff, whose passing triggered this by-election, secured victory against PH candidate Nurhidayah Che Rose, gaining the seat from PH, which had held the seat for three consecutive terms since 2008.

Established in 1824, The Macallan has maintained its position as one of the world's foremost Scotch whisky makers. The uncompromising excellence, revered quality and distinctive character of its whiskies have never wavered since Alexander Reid founded the company 200 years ago.

The Election Commission announced on Saturday night that Abidin had secured 14,489 votes from the state seat’s Malay-majority electorate, while Joohari garnered 10,222 votes.

Overall, only 63.5% of Sungai Bakap’s 39,279 registered voters came out to cast their ballots in this by-election. 

This is even lower than the 76.9% turnout seen in the last Penang state election, which already fell short of the 87.1% in 2018, and 89.1% in 2013. Sungai Bakap’s voter base comprises 59.3% Malay, followed by 22.7% Chinese, and 17.4% Indian.

The Sungai Bakap seat fell vacant following Nor Zamri’s passing on May 24 due to stomach inflammation. With PN’s triumph in the by-election, the coalition retains its 11-seat count in the Penang state assembly.

PH, meanwhile, maintains its two-thirds majority in the 40-seat state assembly, with 27 seats of its own, plus two Barisan Nasional seats.  

https://www.theedgemarkets.com/node/718140