NIBONG TEBAL: The by-election for the Sungai Bakap state seat in Penang will see a straight fight between Pakatan Harapan's Dr Joohari Ariffin and Perikatan Nasional's Abidin Ismail.
Announcing this at the close of nomination, returning officer Khairulnizam Hashim confirmed Joohari submitted his nomination paper at 9.03am and Abidin at 9.06am.
"After checking all the nomination papers, I am satisfied with them. As such, there are no papers rejected.
"So, I confirm that the Sungai Bakap state seat will be contested by Joohari and Abidin," he said.
Joohari's proposer is S. Galaimani, who is PKR Nibong Tebal secretary while his seconder is Ameera Nadia Mohd Shafiee, who is state and Nibong Tebal Puteri Umno chief.
Meanwhile, on the PN side, Abidin's proposer is Abdul Rahman Hashim, the Sungai Bakap election machinery treasurer and his seconder Amizan Ariffin, the secretary.
The by-election is being held following the death of its assemblyman, Pas' Nor Zamri Latiff on May 24.
In the 2023 state polls, Nor Zamri won the Sungai Bakap state seat for PN against PKR's Nurhidayah Che Rus with a 1,563 vote-majority.
Supporters from both sides started gathering as early as 7am to support their respective candidates.
Each side numbered more than 500 supporters.
PH supporters chanted 'reformasi' while PN chanted 'takbir'.
On the unity government side, Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Barisan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir attended.
Meanwhile, on the PN side, Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, Pas secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, Perikatan Nasional (PN) election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, Bersatu vice-president Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin and Gerakan president Datuk Dominic Lau came to provide support.