Cops deploy 600 personnel ahead of Sungai Bakap by-election

NIBONG TEBAL: A total of 600 police officers and personnel will be deployed to maintain public order during the Sungai Bakap by-election period until polling day, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

The Home Minister said the strength of the police force to be deployed was deemed reasonable and can maintain security during the period.

"Besides that, the authorities will advise all stakeholders involved in the Sungai Bakap by-election process to comply with safety laws to ensure that the campaign proceeds without any incidents that could disturb public order," he told reporters after a meet-and-greet with the Home Minister programme at the Sungai Bakap Multi-purpose Hall on Sunday (June 16).

He said he was briefed by Penang police chief Comm Datuk Hamzah Ahmad recently about the police preparations for the Sungai Bakap by-election next month.

He said maintaining public order during the by-election would involve three phases: the period from now until the nomination of candidates, the period after the nomination of candidates and throughout the campaign, and the third phase on voting day itself.

The Sungai Bakap state seat fell vacant following the death of Nor Zamri on May 24.

Based on Election Commission records from the last state election, the Sungai Bakap constituency has 38,409 voters.

Malays (59.36%) make up the majority of voters, followed by Chinese (22.54%), Indians (17.39%) and others (0.71%).

Nor Zamri secured 15,433 votes in the August 2023 state election, defeating Pakatan Harapan's Nurhidayah Che Rose.

The Election Commission on Thursday (June 6) said that polling will be on July 6, with Nomination Day on June 22.

Earlier during the programme, Saifuddin also handed over mock cheques to four Hindu temple associations in Nibong Tebal amounting to RM120,000.

The money given to the temple associations will be used for upgrading infrastructure at their respective temples.