THE unity government will continue to work hard to defend the people’s interests and to elevate the country’s position, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, reacting to the government’s defeat in Sungai Bakap by-election.
He said that his government respects and accepts its defeat in the by-election, adding that it will take stock of the by-election’s outcome with great humility.
“The unity coalition respects and accepts the Pakatan Harapan candidate’s defeat in the Sungai Bakap by-election, which was held smoothly and peacefully.
“As prime minister, I accept the voice of the people in the Sungai Bakap state constituency with great humility… It occurred while the country is undergoing a phase in which it is adapting to a wave of change that is being done actively under the Madani government.
“The Madani government is penitent over the outcome and it is renewing its resolve to step up efforts to defend the people’s interests and to ensure it champions the people’s agenda to alleviate them and our country’s position,” he said in a statement this morning.
Anwar said despite what happened in Sungai Bakap, the government alliance stood as a united coalition which is looking out for the people’s well-being.
He said the government continues to fulfill the people’s needs and implement policies which benefit all segments of the community.
“With incisive policies and commitment in place, the unity government will continue to uphold a united front as it carries out policies and initiatives which are suitable with today’s reality, amidst a new shift which has been set in motion for the country,” he said.
Perikatan Nasional retained the Sungai Bakap state seat in Penang last night when its candidate Abidin Ismail won with 14,489 votes, defeating Pakatan Harapan’s Joohari Ariffin, who received 10,222 votes.
Abidin led with a 4,267-vote majority against Joohari – a bigger majority for PN as compared to the state election results last August. – July 7, 2024.
