Again Anwar skips the by-election campaign

PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has opted out of campaigning for the PKR candidate for the Sungai Bakap by-election Dr Joohari Ariffin.

“No (I won’t), thank you,” he briefly commented when approached by reporters outside Masjid Al-Umm, Bandar Baru Bangi after Friday prayers.

He did not reveal his reason for not campaigning for PKR Dr Joohari Ariffin, reported Free Malaysia Today.

During the May 11 Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, Anwar also abstained from campaigning for DAP’s Pang Sock Tao.

The Sungai Bakap by-election is slated for July 6, with nominations scheduled for June 22 and early voting scheduled on July 2.

The by-election was being held following the passing of its incumbent Nor Zamri Latiff of Pas due to stomach inflammation on May 24.

In the 2008 general election, PKR took control of Sungai Bakap from Barisan Nasional and maintained it for two subsequent terms, until it was lost to Perikatan Nasional last year.

PKR announced its candidate for the by-election first, naming Joohari, formerly a director at the Institut Aminuddin Baki in Kedah, on Wednesday night.

The Sungai Bakap constituency has a diverse voter demographic, comprising 59.4% Malay, 22.5% Chinese, 17.4% Indian, and 0.7% other ethnic groups.

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