Chow, who is also the Penang chief minister, said the PH and Barisan Nasional leaderships were unanimous in their decision for PKR to contest the state seat.

“We will strive to reclaim the Sungai Bakap seat, which was previously held for three terms by a PKR representative,” he said in a press conference.

The state seat fell vacant following the death of its incumbent, Nor Zamri Latiff, on May 24 due to stomach inflammation.

Zamri, who was Nibong Tebal PAS chief, won the seat in the state election in August, defeating PH’s Nurhidayah Che Rose with a 1,563-vote majority after securing 15,433 votes.

Last night, it was reported that Penang PKR had proposed five names to party president Anwar Ibrahim to be considered as the candidate for the by-election.

BN secretary-general Zambry Abdul Kadir also said they were aware of calls for the coalition to field a candidate for the seat.

Today, Chow said other parties in the unity government did not request to contest in the by-election.

“The party that previously contested should be given the opportunity to contest again. Before we made our decision, the other parties had already expressed their support for PKR to field a candidate,” he added.

Penang Umno chief Musa Sheikh Fadzir, who was also at the press conference, said the party would work hard to ensure victory for the candidate representing the unity government.

Chow also announced that Penang PKR deputy chairman Mohamad Abdul Hamid had been appointed the by-election director, with four deputies to be named later.