COMMENT | The upcoming Sungai Bakap by-election is seen by analysts as a gauging factor for whether the Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) "Green Wave" is still a force to be reckoned with, or the people have started embracing the coalition government rule of Putrajaya.

The constituency in Penang can be considered a "hot seat" since it was won by its incumbent, the late Nor Zamri Latiff of PAS, with a majority of less than 2,000 votes in last year's state election.

As the "reigning champion", PN's focus would definitely be on retaining the state seat in Seberang Perai Selatan. In fact, the opposition coalition would strive hard to win by a bigger majority this time.

Pakatan Harapan, meanwhile, will aim to seize the seat which once used to be its stronghold.

Although the outcome of the July 6 polls would not...