Sg Bakap Polls: Lower Chinese, Indian Voter Turnout A Factor In Ph's Loss - Chow

NIBONG TEBAL, July 6 (Bernama) -- A decline of between 10 and 13 per cent in turnout among Chinese and Indian voters was a factor in Pakatan Harapan's (PH) loss in the Sungai Bakap state by-election today, said Penang PH chairman Chow Kon Yeow.

He said the lower voter turnout caused PH to lose a significant number of Chinese and Indian votes compared to the state election in August last year.

"The lower turnout somewhat caused us to lose up to 1,000 to 2,000 votes. We expected a 65 per cent turnout (but that was not the case)," he told reporters at the PH by-election centre at a golf resort here tonight.

Also present were Penang Deputy Chief Minister 1 and PH Sungai Bakap by-election director Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid and Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, who is also the Nibong Tebal Member of Parliament (MP).

Chow, who is also the Penang Chief Minister, said national, state and local issues had also influenced voters’ decision.

He said PH would conduct a post-mortem following the party's defeat in the by-election, including reviewing the campaign strategies of the Unity Government, before taking appropriate action.

"The state government remains committed to addressing the issues raised by voters in Sungai Bakap. We will not neglect those who need assistance even though we could not win back this seat.

"Any stance and political decisions of the people are also our priority as the state government, especially since our MP remains in this area. We will continue our efforts to address the issues raised," he said.

Perikatan Nasional (PN) retained the Sungai Bakap seat after its candidate Abidin Ismail beat Dr Joohari Ariffin of PH by a majority of 4,267 votes.

The seat fell vacant following the death of incumbent Nor Zamri Latiff, who was Nibong Tebal PAS division chief, on May 24 due to stomach inflammation.

-- BERNAMA