Nibong Tebal PAS deputy chief to run in Sungai Bakap by-election

Nibong Tebal PAS deputy chairperson Abidin Ismail will be representing the Islamist party in the upcoming Sungai Bakap by-election.

The 56-year-old hoped to continue the legacy of his party colleague the late Sungai Bakap assemblyperson Nor Zamri Latiff, whom he worked closely with. Zamri was also the Nibong Tebal PAS chief.

“God willing, if I am chosen by the people of Sungai Bakap, I will continue Zamri’s legacy.

“I was very close with him so I have many bittersweet memories with him,” Abidin said in his speech, becoming visibly emotional onstage.

PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man announced the party’s candidate for the state seat during a ceramah at Bandar Tasek Mutiara in Seberang Perai, Penang, tonight.

Abidin is also the Sungai Bakap PAS election director.

Abidin was born on Dec 7, 1968, in Sungai Duri, a district in Sungai Bakap, which is on the southern side of mainland Penang. He also attended school there for his primary-level education.

He worked as a logistics executive at USG Sdn Bhd from 1992 to 2022. He has a wife and two children.

Also present at the ceramah were PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad, Bersatu vice-president Radzi Jidin, Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, and other Perikatan Nasional leaders.

On June 11, PN chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin said Sungai Bakap would remain a PAS seat.

Harapan candidate

The next day, the government of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced former teacher and PKR member Joohari Ariffin as its candidate.

PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli said Joohari fulfilled the qualifications of being local, intelligent, and able to bear the burden of becoming a people’s representative who can nurture residents.

The Sungai Bakap state seat fell vacant following Zamri’s death on May 24 due to stomach inflammation.

In the state election last August, he won the seat with 52.7 percent of votes in a straight fight against Pakatan Harapan.

Before that, PKR held the seat for three terms, from 2008 to 2018.

Nomination day for the by-election is on June 22 with polling on July 6.

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