KUALA LUMPUR – Pakatan Harapan (PH) respects and accepts defeat in the Sg Bakap by-election, which was held yesterday.
In a Facebook post, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim admits that the people’s voice was heard when Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Abidin Ismail of PAS was elected the new assemblyman for Sg Bakap, retaining the seat for the party with a larger majority.
Abidin polled 14,489 votes for a 4,267-vote majority over his PH opponent, Joohari Ariffin of PKR, who obtained 10,222 votes.
“As the prime minister, I humbly accept the voice of the people at Sg Bakap, which took place at a time when the country is undergoing an adjustment phase with the wave of changes actively being implemented under the Madani government,” he said in a statement on social media.
The PH chairman also said the government will learn from the people’s verdict and will intensify efforts to defend the people’s fate.
“It will simultaneously succeed in raising the dignity and status of the people and the country.
“With correct policy and commitment, the coalition government will continue to strengthen unity in the implementation of policies and initiatives, in line with today’s realities and the new direction the country is taking,” he said.
The Sg Bakap by-election was held following the death of incumbent Nor Zamri Latiff, who was also the PAS Nibong Tebal division chief, on May 24.
In the state elections last year, Nor Zamri won the seat with a majority of 1,563 votes against PH’s Nurhidayah Che Rus. – July 7, 2024