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The Sungai Bakap by-election on July 6 will see a straight fight between Perikatan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan.

PN has fielded Abidin Ismail of PAS, and PH is represented by PKR’s Joohari Ariffin.

Abidin, a 56-year-old logistics executive, is a former aide to Nor Zamri Latiff, whose death on May 24 caused the state seat to fall vacant.

Joohari, 60, is a former lecturer at Institut Aminuddin Baki in Kedah, and had also served as a teacher in public schools, previously.

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Their candidacy was announced by Election Commission returning officer Khairulnizam Hashim at the Jawi multipurpose hall at Taman Desa Jawi in Nibong Tebal after nominations closed at 10am today.

In the Penang state election last August, Nor Zamri, who was also the Nibong Tebal PAS chief, defeated PH candidate Nurhidayah Che Rose by a majority of 1,563 votes in a straight fight.

Earlier, Joohari arrived at the nomination centre accompanied by supporters and leaders from the parties in the unity government, including PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan, Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng, Bernama reported.

Also present were Amanah strategic director Dzulkefly Ahmad, Penang PKR state leadership council chairman Nurul Izzah Anwar, PKR information chief Fahmi Fadzil, Umno Supreme Council member Zambry Abd Kadir and PKR deputy information chief 1 R Ramanan.

Meanwhile, Abidin was accompanied by PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, Bersatu vice-president Dr Radzi Jidin and PAS election director Sanusi Nor.

Also present were PAS president Hadi Awang, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, and PAS deputy spiritual leader Ahmad Yakob.

There are 39,279 registered voters in Sungai Bakap, consisting of 39,222 regular voters and 57 police officers.

Early voting will be on July 2.