Nurhidayah and Amar Pritpal: PKR contenders for Sungai Bakap by-election

Nurhidayah Che Rose, Penang’s PKR women’s chief, and Dr Amar Pritpal Abdullah, Nibong Tebal’s PKR chief, are contenders to represent Pakatan Harapan in the upcoming Sungai Bakap by-election.

“Nurhidayah’s name is in the lead now, but the Nibong Tebal branch chief is also said to be interested (in contesting the seat). The PKR leadership is considering it,” said a Penang PKR leader, who chose to remain anonymous, reported FMT.

The source disclosed that Nurhidayah remains the favored candidate, despite her previous loss to Perikatan Nasional’s Nor Zamri Latiff by 1,563 votes in last August’s state election.

Zamri passed away last Friday at Penang’s Seberang Jaya Hospital due to stomach inflammation.

Amar Pritpal served in the seat from 2018 to 2023, but Nurhidayah replaced him in the state election.

The Election Commission (EC) plans to convene on June 6 to determine the dates for nominations and voting.

Fadzli Roslan, the Penang PKR Youth chief, mentioned that the party sees no problem with re-nominating Nurhidayah as a candidate.

“I think the issue of a shortage of candidates is not the main problem because PKR has many leaders to contest in Sungai Bakap. Regardless of who it is, we will strive to win,” he said.

Fadzli is confident that the united effort among government components can assist PH in winning back the seat from PN, given their success in recent by-elections, like in Kuala Kubu Baharu earlier this month.

Earlier Nurhidayah said she is prepared for another fight after her defeat in Sungai Bakap during last year’s state polls.

Data from the 2023 state election shows that there are 38,409 voters in the constituency. The majority are Malays (59.36%), followed by Chinese (22.54%), Indians (17.39%), and others (0.71%).