Ayer Kuning by-election victory shows unity gov't formula won hearts in Perak
SANDAKAN: The victory in the Ayer Kuning state by-election is proof that the MADANI Government's formula has captured and won the hearts of the people.
MADANI Government spokesman Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, also the Minister of Communications, said the majority won by Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Dr Mohamad Yusri Bakir had increased, while the votes received by his opponent from Perikatan Nasional (PN) had plummeted.
'Of the 20 district polling centres, 19 were won by the MADANI Government. This is a positive sign but we must not be complacent... still a lot that we must strive to do to ensure this victory can be consolidated,' he said.
He said this at a media conference after launching the Community Day Programme (HBK) at NADI Sim Sim here today.
Also present were Sandakan MP Vivian Wong Shir Yee, Tanjong Papat assemblyman Datuk Frankie Poon, Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Commission Member General (Rtd) Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin and Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj.
Meanwhile, he said the healthy campaigning methods used were the reason why voters in Ayer Kuning chose the MADANI Government and rejected the opposition party, which chose topics that did not resonate with the residents.
Fahmi said the people also rejected campaigns that were racist and divisive.
'We can see, it's easy to say that it's a rejection of that kind of racist politics. Malaysian will reject it, especially in Ayer Kuning where they can't accept it and they chose unity over division,' he said.
Mohd Yusri, also the Tapah UMNO Division secretary, won the Ayer Kuning by-election with a 5,006-vote majority after polling 1,065 votes in the three-cornered by-election yesterday. His closest rival, Abd Muhaimin Malek of Perikatan Nasional received 6,059 votes, while Bawani KS of Parti Sosialis Malaysia garnered 1,106 votes.
The result also reaffirmed Ayer Kuning as a BN stronghold, a position the coalition has maintained since 1986.
The by-election was called following the death of incumbent Ishsam Shahruddin on Feb 22 due to a heart attack.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malaysiakini
an hour ago
- Malaysiakini
US visa issue: M'sian Harvard students can continue studies for now
Malaysian students attending Harvard University can continue their studies without worrying about their visa status for now, the Higher Education Ministry said. This follows the latest development on the visa issue, with a US federal court judge ruling to grant a temporary restraining order after an application was filed by Harvard, providing relief to over 6,800 international students there. The ministry said...
Borneo Post
10 hours ago
- Borneo Post
JSC defends MTUC authority amid claims of leadership void
J Solomon – Photo via Facebook KUCHING (June 8): The Joint Special Committee (JSC) has asserted its position as the legitimate leadership of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC), rejecting claims by the Human Resources Minister that the congress lacks leadership. JSC chairman J Solomon stated that the minister must be held accountable for Malaysia's failure to send a complete workers' delegation to the 113th International Labour Conference (ILC), a significant event under the International Labour Organisation (ILO). 'MTUC is the most widely represented organisation of workers in Malaysia,' said Solomon. 'As required by the ILO Constitution, MTUC is responsible for nominating the workers' delegation whilst the minister's role is to submit the names provided by MTUC,' he said in a statement yesterday. He stressed that the minister had no authority to interfere in MTUC's internal affairs, particularly as the organisation is already in in the process of holding elections scheduled for August 2 and 3. Solomon added that Malaysia's credibility at the ILO is at stake, especially since Malaysia is shortlisted for discussions on the implementation of Convention 98, which relates to workers' rights and anti-union discrimination. He further charged that the minister had failed to ensure that Malaysian workers representatives were registered at the ILC, adding that the entire conduct of the minister was an attempt to prevent criticism over Malaysia's labour laws shortcomings from being aired at the international stage. 'If the minister was sincere in wanting to ensure that Malaysian workers are to be represented at the ILC, he would have reached out to the JSC after receiving the ILO invitation,' Solomon said. 'Instead, the minister chose to do nothing but offer excuses, and it is now clear that he is misusing the entire government machinery including the Attorney General's Chambers to 'cover his mischief',' he added. 'Malaysia needs a strong and full tripartite representation at the ILC. Yet, instead of focusing on urgent labour reforms, the minister seems to be denying MTUC its rightful place in the ILC.'
Focus Malaysia
12 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
Govt under fire from opposition, allies over telco data handover demand
THE Malaysian government is facing mounting criticism over an alleged directive requiring all telecommunications companies (telcos) to hand over comprehensive mobile user data, including call records, internet usage, and GPS location history. MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has voiced serious concern over the move, warning that it poses a significant threat to citizens' privacy and could lead to the misuse of personal information. He rejected the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's (MCMC) claim that the data had been 'de-identified,' arguing that metadata, such as GPS coordinates, call logs, and IP addresses, could still be easily traced back to individuals, especially when cross-referenced with other digital sources. He believed MCMC is trying to downplay the issue by saying, :Don't worry, the data has been de-identified and contains no personal details that can identify individuals.' 'But I want to ask, de-identified, really? Don't try to fool us. If you're collecting data on who we call, when we call, how long we talk, our IP address, and our GPS coordinates, the exact latitude and longitude, time and day, anyone with access to this data can easily match it back to our identities. Especially now, with e-wallets, CCTV, Touch 'n Go, and banking records, it's incredibly easy to pinpoint someone's identity,' he said in a video posted to Facebook on Saturday. From the opposition, Pejuang raised similar concerns. Pejuang information chief, Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, criticised the move as unjustified and questioned the true motive behind collecting such intrusive data. 'What exactly does MCMC intend to do with this data? Their excuse is to promote local tourism? But what is the real motive?' he said. 'Not only is this a privacy issue, but there is also the risk of this data being misused or leaked to other parties,' Rafique added. 'MCMC should stop trying to cover up a huge scandal with a tiny sieve,' he said via Facebook on Sunday. Both Pejuang and MCA, despite being on opposing sides of the political spectrum, are united in calling for greater transparency and accountability from the government on this issue. Their joint concern marks a rare moment of bipartisan unity in defending Malaysians' right to privacy and democratic safeguards. —June 8, 2025 Main image: Securiti
