PETALING JAYA: Political analysts foresee a fierce contest in the by-election for the Sungai Bakap state constituency on July 6, with Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) poised for a showdown throughout 4 polling centres.
The coalitions are anticipated to give attention to the Padang Lalang, Sungai Duri, Kampung Besar, and Puteri Gunong polling centres.
According to information from the state election final August, PN secured Malay-majority Sungai Duri by 1,940 votes, Padang Lalang by 823 votes, and Kampung Besar by 733 votes.
Meanwhile, PH triumphed in the mixed-demographic Puteri Gunong – the most important polling centre with roughly 2,000 voters.
(*4*)
Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia mentioned PN’s success would rely upon its capacity to consolidate Malay voter assist in these polling centres, whereas PH must maintain its supporters and win over swing voters to beat its 1,563-vote deficit from the final state election.
“PN has no alternative however to defend these areas because it depends closely on Malay assist, particularly given the pattern of voters from different communities leaning in the direction of PH, as seen in the current Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election,” he informed eNM.
“Therefore, PH might intensify its efforts in these PN-controlled Malay areas, and I consider collaboration with Umno might doubtlessly safe 15% to twenty% of the Malay vote in Sungai Bakap.”
Mazlan additionally mentioned he expects PN to proceed exploiting Malay-Muslim points, which attraction to voters in Sungai Duri, Padang Lalang and Kampung Besar who lack the benefit of incumbency at each the federal and state ranges.
On efforts to slim PN’s deficit from the earlier election, Mazlan mentioned he expects PH to supply a manifesto specializing in rural improvement initiatives in Sungai Bakap, capitalising on its governance in Penang and on the native stage.
However, Ariff Aizuddin Azlan of Universiti Teknologi Mara mentioned that voter turnout and present points such because the diesel subsidy cuts might affect the outcomes of the by-election.
“I don’t low cost PN’s technique of taking part in up the Malay narrative, however it could now use a a lot stronger concern corresponding to diesel costs following the federal government’s current announcement (on the focused subsidies),” he mentioned.
“If this concern is efficiently sensationalised, PN stands an opportunity of securing victory in Sungai Bakap, posing a problem for PH and Barisan Nasional (BN) to successfully counter such methods.”
Sungai Bakap is a blended seat with a 59.4% Malay citizens. Chinese comprise 22.5%, Indians 17.4% and others 0.7%.
The Election Commission has set tomorrow as nomination day. Early voting might be on July 2 and voting day on July 6.
The state seat of Sungai Bakap was vacated following the demise of its assemblyman Nor Zamri Latiff from PAS on May 24.
PN will area Nibong Tebal PAS deputy chief Abidin Ismail in the by-election, whereas PH has named former trainer Joohari Ariffin from PKR as its candidate.
Parti Rakyat Malaysia has additionally introduced that it’ll contest the Penang state seat, though it has but to call a candidate.
