DAY 12 | Countdown to polling day begins as it’s the third last day for candidates to campaign for the Sungai Bakap by-election.

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

The polling day is on July 6.

Malaysiakini reports live from the ground.

Police investigate pamphlets flouting election law

9.45pm: Sungai Bakap - Police have opened another investigation paper regarding distributing pamphlets that contravened electoral laws amid the Sungai Bakap by-election campaign.

Penang police chief Hamzah Ahmad says the latest incident, investigated under Section 4A of the Election Offences Act 1954, brings to two the number of investigation papers opened since the campaign started on June 22.

He says another investigation paper had been opened under Section 427 of the Penal Code for vandalism of party campaign materials.

“With three days remaining until polling day, we want to advise all parties not to play up the 3R (race, religion, and royalty) issues and not to provoke one another during campaigning, including causing mischief or damaging campaign materials.

“Police will constantly monitor activities on social media to track the spread of false news, slander or incitement that can disturb public order,” he said in a statement today.

- Bernama

'Puteri Umno confident of grassroots’ support'

3pm: Penang Puteri Umno is confident that their campaign efforts, especially in gaining the support of grassroots Umno members, will bear fruit.

Its leader Ameera Nadia Shafiee said her party does not deny that there are Umno members who are disillusioned by the current political atmosphere.

Therefore, the party managed to identify the group and went down to meet them to give an explanation and gain support for Pakatan Harapan’s candidate Joohari Ariffin.

"The members identified, we have given them explanations and trying to gain support," she told Malaysiakini today.

Police urge campaigners to behave

12pm: Sungai Bakap, Nibong Tebal - The Penang police opens two investigations within the first 12 days of the Sungai Bakap by-election campaign.

State police chief Hamzah Ahmad says these involve offences such as damaging campaign materials and distributing unlawful pamphlets.

Penang police chief Hamzah Ahmad

He indicates that both offences are being investigated under Section 427 of the Penal Code and Section 4A of the Election Offences Act 1954.

"With three days remaining until polling day this Saturday, police advise all parties not to provoke during campaigning, including (doing) acts of betrayal or damaging campaign materials," he says in a statement today.