GEORGE TOWN, Aug 7 — Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) new candidate for the Batu Maung state seat in Penang is confident of retaining the seat under PH this state election.

Prof Datuk Mohamad Abdul Hamid, who has been going on the ground to introduce himself to voters this past week, said the reception has been very positive.

"I am confident we will be able to get votes from more than 50 per cent of the constituents here,” he said in a brief interview with Malay Mail today.

He said Umno has come out in full force to help him campaign.

"I believe we will be able to get votes from about 7,000 to 9,000 Umno members and supporters in Bukit Gedung,” he said.

Batu Maung has a racial demographic consisting of 54 per cent Malays, 37 per cent Chinese and the remaining 9 per cent, other races.

Mohamad said he is certain about 90 per cent of the non-Malays will vote for him.

"I am sure I can get about 50 per cent of the Malay votes,” he said.

He said people’s confidence in voting for him is most probably due to the PH state government’s excellent record in governing the state.

"My predecessors’ good track record will also be a factor,” he said.

Mohamad crossed paths with his political opponent, Azahari Aris, from Perikatan Nasional (PN) during a walkabout at the Bukit Gedung pasar malam this evening.

They shook hands, chatted for a few minutes before parting ways.

Azahari said he wanted a harmonious campaign even though they are political opponents.

"Of course, I hope voters will vote for me instead of him, but we are all friends here, I was previously from the Bayan Baru Umno division so I know them too,” he said.

When asked if it would be a disadvantage for him with Umno campaigning for Mohamad, he said he has help from the PAS and Gerakan machineries.

"In the end, it is up to the voters as to who they want to represent them,” he said.

There are a total 47,226 registered voters in Batu Maung.

PKR, under Pakatan Rakyat and subsequently PH, has held the seat since 2008.