PN retains Penang state seat by comfortable margin in by-election

Result indicates opposition alliance's rising support following narrow win in 2023 polls

- Zunaira Saieed

Malaysia’s opposition alliance Perikatan Nasional (PN) retained its state assembly seat in a Penang by-election on July 6 with a comfortable victory, reflecting growing unhappiness with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s ruling coalition and its waning support among the Malay majority.

Mr Abidin Ismail, 56, from Parti Islam SeMalaysia, one of the members of the PN alliance, won the Sungai Bakap seat with 14,489 votes, or about 58.6 per cent of the valid votes.

His rival, Dr Joohari Ariffin from Pakatan Harapan (PH), received 10,222 votes (41.3 per cent) in the straight fight in the Malay-majority ward of 39,279 voters.

The total turnout was 63.4 per cent.

The by-election for the Sungai Bakap constituency in southern mainland Penang was called after incumbent PN assemblyman Nor Zamri Latiff – whom Mr Abidin was a special officer to – died on May 24 due to stomach inflammation.