The government regrets the result of the Sungai Bakap by-election, Anwar said

KUALA LUMPUR: The Madani government realizes the results of the Sungai Bakap by-election in Penang and is determined to intensify its efforts to implement the right policies and initiatives for the people, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

FMT reported that Anwar, who is also the Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman, said that he and the unity coalition respected and accepted the defeat of the PH candidate in the by-election that took place yesterday.

“The unity coalition respects and accepts the defeat of the PH candidate in the Sungai Bakap by-election which took place smoothly and peacefully,” he said in a statement on Facebook.

“As the prime minister, I humbly accepted the people’s vote (in the Sungai Bakap state by-election) which took place when the country was undergoing an adjustment phase with the wave of changes that are being actively implemented under the new direction of the Madani Government.”

Anwar said that his government will continue to succeed in the agenda of raising the dignity of the people and the country.

“With precise policy and commitment, the unity coalition will continue to strengthen unity in the implementation of policies and initiatives that coincide with the reality of today and the new shift of the country that is underway.”

Yesterday, Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate from PAS Abidin Ismail won the Sungai Bakap by-election with 14,489 votes, obtaining a majority of 4,267 votes compared to his opponent, PH candidate from PKR Joohari Ariffin, who obtained 10,222 votes.

The Sungai Bakap seat was held by PKR for three terms from 2008 before PAS Chairman Nibong Tebal Nor Zamri Latiff won in the PRN last year defeating Nurhidayah Che Rose (PKR) with a majority of 1,563 votes.

The chair was empty when Zamri died on May 24 due to inflammation in the stomach.

Following the decision, PKR Vice President Nurul Izzah Anwar said that despite losing, the party will continue to make changes for the better future of Penang and Malaysia.

PKR responded to the decision as a signal for self-reflection and a reminder not to be too comfortable with the current position, he added.