DAY 10 | Harapan playing up racial sentiments - Penang PAS Youth

DAY 10 | The Sungai Bakap by-election campaign continues for its 10th day.

Pakatan Harapan candidate Joohari Ariffin is up against Perikatan Nasional’s Abidin Ismail in a straight fight.

Polling day is on July 6.

Malaysiakini reports live from the ground.

Thank you for following Malaysiakini’s live report

This concludes Day 10 of the Sungai Bakap by-election campaign.

Support independent journalism by becoming a Malaysiakini subscriber.

Subscribe now.

Harapan accused of playing up racial sentiments

9pm: Sungai Bakap, Nibong Tebal - Penang PAS Youth deputy chief Muhammad Hafiz Alias Al-Baghoni accuses Pakatan Harapan of playing up racial sentiments.

In a TikTok video, he shows a Harapan banner that says "Unity for Sungai Bakap" in Malay and Tamil, but the Chinese text reads "Reject Green Wave, defend Sungai Bakap".

"So, who is playing up racial sentiment here, Perikatan Nasional or Harapan?" Hafiz (above) asks.

The "Green Wave" is a term used to describe the increased support for Perikatan Nasional, particularly PAS, in the 15th general election.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang had said the term encourages Islamophobia and spooks non-Muslims and urged party members to curb the "Green Wave" narrative.

More recently, however, PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin appears to have embraced the term, saying the government should have a tough time stopping the Green Wave at Sungai Bakap.

Joohari focusing on grey areas, fence-sitters

6.23pm: Pakatan Harapan candidate Joohari Ariffin is focusing his campaign on approaching voters in grey areas.

According to Bernama, voters in grey areas or fence-sitters account for over 60 percent.

"Alhamdulillah, we are now focusing on grey areas like in this area (Kampung Sungai Buaya) and as of today, our campaign has exceeded 60 percent and we will be entering all (areas).

"Whether they accept or not, it doesn't matter (because) I came to introduce myself and extend an introductory greeting," he tells reporters while campaigning in Kampung Sungai Buaya today.

Joohari adds that the people he met reacted positively to his manifesto and he believes Sungai Bakap voters can make the best assessment.

"These people do not directly mention (acceptance of commitment). If they can accept what we are offering, that is a good sign because we are offering something practical for the people of Sungai Bakap," he says.

Joohari uses e-sports to attract youths

3.22pm: Pakatan Harapan candidate Joohari Ariffin is using digital sports (e-sports) to approach young voters in Sungai Bakap.

Joohari says the approach, among other things, can bridge the gap between adults and young people - attracting youth to get to know their candidates.

"Yes, this is one of the approaches we are using, besides social media, to get close to young people,” Bernama quotes him as saying after meeting the 75 participants of the Madani PUBG e-Sports Championship organised by Persatuan Semarak Aspirasi Madani last night.

“In this by-election, we have candidates aged 60 and in the 50s contesting...so there is a gap between adults and young people.

"It takes time to educate the young people about the science of the democratic system and get them to understand politics.”

‘Every man, woman, youth upset over cost of living’

11.50am: Bersatu supreme council member Azmin Ali hopes the people’s anger against the federal government and Penang state government will be demonstrated in their votes.

Based on the Perikatan Nasional team’s house-to-house visit, Azmin claims voters are livid over the soaring cost of living.

“This sentiment is not only voiced by Malay voters. I met 23 Indian families in Ladang Sungai Kecil who said the same thing.

“Basically, every man, woman and youth I met is upset over the rising cost of living, affecting the B40.

“So, I hope this will be translated into votes when they come out in droves to cast their ballots on July 6,” he told the media in Kampung Sungai Kecil, Nibong Tebal, last night. 

Rashid to continue serving constituency

11am: Kampung Sungai Kecil, Nibong Tebal - A Bersatu lawmaker who has pledged his support for the ruling coalition says he has no plans to join any political party yet.

Speaking to Malaysiakini after a Pakatan Harapan campaign rally yesterday, Selat Klang assemblyperson Abdul Rashid Asari, whose party membership has been revoked, affirms he will continue to serve the constituency as usual.

Justifying his stance, he says Bersatu’s oath of allegiance provision only took effect on April 1 but he was elected in 2023.

Rashid adds that the six Bersatu MPs the party is seeking to oust will continue to support Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration, while he will continue to back Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari.

Focus on economy? Anwar can’t face Sg Bakap voters - Ramasamy

'One by One' rematch turns out to be Harapan campaign video

Rafizi: PN's Malay support in Sg Bakap down, govt must bag fence-sitters

What did Tuan Ibrahim do to solve water woes as minister, Rafizi asks

Anti-PM rally doesn’t affect Sg Bakap by-election campaign: Saifuddin

PN campaign in Sg Bakap a lost cause - Rafizi