Heavyweights take to the ground

NIBONG TEBAL: Despite the Sungai Bakap by-election not having an impact on the power dynamics of Penang, the polls are still getting as much attention from political bigwigs as if it could change the fate of the state.

Heavyweights from unity government coalitions Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional and the Perikatan Nasional opposition pact are all set to have teh tarik and ceramah sessions in Sungai Bakap during what is commonly called the “super weekend”, which is the last weekend before the state by-election on July 6.

It will be a riveting electoral fray because even though the result will have no impact on Pakatan’s dominance in Penang, Perikatan needs to prove that its “green wave” is still strong in one of Pakatan’s biggest strongholds.

Voters in this laid-back, agrarian constituency, which is the furthest from Penang’s financial and industrial centres, now find themselves in the epicentre of feverish political jockeying.

Leaders from Pakatan and Perikatan are now on daily outings to sway the hearts and minds of voters with promises of prosperity, progress and change.

Pakatan’s Dr Joohari Ariffin is taking on Perikatan’s Abidin Ismail for the seat, which was won by Perikatan in the 2023 state polls.

State Amanah secretary Zahar Zainul said several big names from the party are expected to arrive today.

“Our party president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu and deputy president Datuk Seri Mujahid Yusof Rawa are coming,” he said.

Zahar said Amanah women’s chief Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu, vice-president Adly Zahari and Kedah Amanah chief Mohd Asmirul Anuar Aris are also headed to Sungai Bakap.

Barisan secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke are also expected to stump for Pakatan during the weekend.

Although he will be in Penang over the weekend, it is yet to be seen whether Prime Minister and Pakatan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will campaign in Sungai Bakap, said state PKR information chief Mohsin Md Sharif.

Anwar is scheduled to open the new Inland Revenue Board building near Karpal Singh Drive and the Penang Hill cable car project.

He is also expected to attend a programme organised by the National Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund at Seberang Jaya.

From the Perikatan camp, coalition chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is scheduled to arrive today, where the Bersatu president will first have teh tarik with voters at a rural eatery named “Koboi Charkoteaw” before adjourning for Friday prayers.

He will then deliver a ceramah and make other appearances throughout the constituency over the weekend.

Other notable leaders from Perikatan scheduled to be here are Selangor opposition chief Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and Bersatu information bureau committee member Badrul Hisham Shaharin.

Bersatu’s partner PAS is also expected to deploy their top leaders, including PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, party strategist Ahmad Fadhli Shaari and Perak PAS commissioner Razman Zakaria.