Field Pritpal, Pas would be affected

Opposition protem party Urimai is rooting for Dr Amar Pritpal Abdullah of PKR to contest in the Sungai Bakap by-election.

Urimai committee member David Marshel pointed out Amar Pritpal’s plus points if PKR fielded him in the upcoming by-election.

“Sungai Bakap is Pritpal’s hometown. There isn’t anyone who doesn’t know him, said Marshel.

“He speaks in Chinese, Tamil, English. He is a Punjabi Muslim.

“If he is fielded, Pas would be affected,” he said.

Urimai secretary general Satees Muniandy added: “He speaks Hakka too.”

Both Satees and David Marshel runs a podcast channel called Sembang Pokok on Youtube where they discuss political issues in Tamil language.

Both of them are members of the protem party formed by Penang’s former Deputy Chief Minister II, P Ramasamy.

Amar Pritpal is a former one term state assemblyman of Sungai Bakap. He also served as a deputy speaker in Penang’s legislative assembly.

He is currently PKR’s Nibong Tebal division chief. He however was not fielded during the state polls last year.

Party vice chair Nurhidayah Che Rose took a shot in Sungai Bakap but lost to Pas’ Nor Zamri Latiff.

PKR’s Penang chapter have announced that they have shortlisted five candidates who are qualified to contest in Sungai Bakap. Both Amar Pritpal and Nurhidayah are believed to be in the list too.

The Sungai Bakap by-election would be held following the death of Nor Zamri Latiff on 24 May 2024.

Nor Zamri had defeated Nurhidayah last year with a majority of 1,563 votes in a straight fight.

In comparison, Amar Pritpal obtained a majority of 2,348 votes in a four cornered fight during the general election in 2018.