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Free Malaysia Today
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
‘Healthy campaign' led to Ayer Kuning victory, says Fahmi
Unity government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil said the victory in Ayer Kuning proves the unity government's current efforts should continue. PETALING JAYA : Government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil says a 'healthy campaign' is one of the reasons behind the victory by the candidate representing the unity government in the Ayer Kuning by-election yesterday. In contrast, he said, the opposition carried out a 'racist campaign' ahead of the poll and chose topics that did not go down well with the locals. 'The people, especially in Ayer Kuning, have rejected racist and divisive campaigning. '(The victory) is a rejection of racist politics. Malaysians, especially in Ayer Kuning, cannot accept it, and chose unity and to fight division,' he said. Barisan Nasional's Yusri Bakir won the by-election after securing 11,065 votes for a 5,006-vote majority over his closest rival, Perikatan Nasional's Abdul Muhaimin Malek (6,059 votes) and Parti Sosialis Malaysia's KS Bawani (1,106 votes). Earlier today, FMT reported political analyst Awang Azman Pawi as saying PN's over-reliance on PAS and the rhetoric of championing Malay-Muslim issues may have contributed to the opposition's loss at the Ayer Kuning by-election. He said the PN strategy had less effect on the moderate Malays and Ayer Kuning's multi-ethnic demographic. He added that PN had also campaigned on national issues, such as the cost of living and inflation, but still failed to win over multiracial and moderate voters who previously supported Pakatan Harapan. Fahmi, who is communications minister, said the victory proves the unity government's current efforts should continue. However, he also warned against complacency. 'Our majority has increased. Of the 20 voting districts, the unity government has won 19. 'This is a positive sign, but we should not become lazy. There is much we must do to strengthen this victory,' he said.
The Star
26-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Ayer Kuning polls: Barisan victory shows voters favour inclusive and progressive governance, says Dr Wee
PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional's victory in the Ayer Kuning by-election demonstrates voters' preference for an inclusive and progressive style of governance, says MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong. "After a fierce three-cornered fight, Barisan's Dr Yusri Bakir successfully won the Ayer Kuning state seat with a majority of 5,506 votes! "Perikatan Nasional's Abd Muhaimin Malek and Parti Sosialis Malaysia's Bawani KS, only garnered 6,059 and 1,106 votes respectively, which clearly demonstrates that local voters favour Barisan's inclusive and progressive style of governance. "Congratulations to Dr Yusri Bakir! May he continue to uphold the spirit of service and lead Ayer Kuning toward a more prosperous and united future!" Dr Wee said in a statement on Saturday (April 26). He also thanked Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon for his efforts. "I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the entire machinery which has been giving it their all for this campaign. "A special thank you to MCA deputy president and Perak MCA chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon for leading the MCA machinery in their tireless efforts over the past two weeks to ensure more Chinese voters came out to vote and secure Barisan's final victory. "Appreciation also goes to the teams from Election Commission, volunteers, safety and medical personnel and all who ensured a smooth campaigning and voting process," he said.
Free Malaysia Today
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Outstation, Indian voters could sway Ayer Kuning poll outcome, says analyst
Yusri Bakir (BN), KS Bawani (PSM) and Abd Muhaimin Malek (PN) are the candidates in the Ayer Kuning by-election today. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Barisan Nasional may hold a slight edge in the Ayer Kuning by-election today, but a political analyst warns that voter turnout, especially among outstation youth and disgruntled Indian voters, could shift the outcome. Sivamurugan Pandian of Universiti Sains Malaysia said BN benefits from the popularity of four-term Tapah MP M Saravanan and the legacy of the late assemblyman Ishsam Shahruddin. However, key demographic and political undercurrents could still sway the outcome. The 31,940 voters in Ayer Kuning comprise 55.97% Malay, 22.9% Chinese, 14.38% Indian and 7.5% Orang Asli voters. 'Looking at how actively Saravanan is campaigning, many Indian voters will still vote for BN, but some may stay home or support PSM candidate KS Bawani as a form of protest,' he told FMT. He said that 46% of voters aged 18 to 39 work elsewhere in urban areas, a significant proportion whose return to vote remains uncertain. 'The number is considered big. How many will return home to vote remains a question.' He said the turnout for the 2022 general election was 74%, but by-elections usually draw a smaller crowd. Ayer Kuning, a state seat in the Tapah parliamentary constituency, has been an Umno stronghold since 1986. Ishsam won the seat in a five-way fight with a 2,213-vote majority over Amanah's Nazri Hashim in 2022. BN is fielding Yusri Bakir, 54, the secretary of Umno's Tapah division. A former teacher, he holds a PhD in Islamic education and heads the Islamic education centre at the teacher training institute in Ipoh. MIC senator C Sivarajah also believes that voter turnout would be a problem. He said Saravanan's popularity and Isham's legacy alone would not guarantee a victory. 'The former assemblyman did well, and Saravanan has been speaking up on Hindu temples and issues affecting the local communities, but the turnout is the problem,' he said. BN is expected to win in Ayer Kuning due to MIC and Saravanan, but Urimai chairman P Ramasamy said there may be protest votes which will benefit PSM. 'Overall, the Indian community is upset. There's no Tamil minister in Anwar Ibrahim's cabinet, and the Jalan Masjid India temple issue hit a nerve,' he told FMT. PN's campaign misfires Sivarajah, a former MIC vice-president, said Perikatan Nasional has struggled to connect with voters in Ayer Kuning. 'PN's campaigning here has not been effective because their issues are not really relevant here,' he said. Sivamurugan said PN candidate Abd Muhaimin Malek's campaign, especially his focus on shutting down illegal pig farms, may have alienated non-Malay voters. The issue of pig farms has become a central campaign point for PN, with concerns raised over their presence in a predominantly Malay area. PAS claims Sungai Bidor was polluted by a pig farm, but the Perak state government insists all 85 farms are licensed and denies widespread illegal activity. Sivamurugan said PN's aim was to woo Malay voters, but their campaign would 'push non-Malay voters to BN and PSM, who see it as an attempt not to focus on other issues'. He said PAS may try to attract protest votes from BN supporters who are upset with BN for cooperating with DAP, but this matter may not drastically increase their support.
The Star
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Ayer Kuning polls: BN's final push before polling day
PETALING JAYA: With less than 24 hours to go before polling day for the Ayer Kuning by-election, the Barisan Nasional leadership is going all out in a final push to rally support for candidate no 1, Dr Yusri Bakir, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong. The MCA president said that on Friday (April 25), Barisan leaders gathered in the predominantly Chinese-populated Kampung Baru Coldstream, including Deputy Prime Minister and Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Barisan secretary-general Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir, Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, Perak Mentri Besar and Perak Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, as well as Perak MIC chairman Tan Sri M. Ramasamy. "The Deputy Prime Minister also criticised the opposition for playing up racial sentiments. He assured the people that all legitimate farming and agricultural activities in the area would remain unaffected and would continue to receive support from the state government. "During my speech, I called on local voters to support Dr. Yusri in order to preserve the multicultural and progressive society in the constituency," he said on Facebook on Friday.
Free Malaysia Today
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Negative views of Malays in DAP won't affect chances in Ayer Kuning, says Syahredzan
DAP national vice-chairman Syahredzan Johan said the party remains committed to supporting Barisan Nasional candidate Yusri Bakir in Ayer Kuning. PETALING JAYA : Negative perceptions of Malay leaders in DAP will not affect the unity government's chances of winning over voters in the Ayer Kuning by-election, says DAP national vice-chairman Syahredzan Johan. Bernama reported him as saying such perceptions stem from a lack of exposure and direct interaction with the local community, especially in rural areas. 'This is a question I'm often asked. I believe much of it arises from situations where people do not personally know the Malay leaders in DAP. 'As the saying goes, you can't love what you don't know. 'At the same time, Perak has DAP state vice-chairman Abdul Aziz Bari, so I think DAP is not unfamiliar to the people of Perak,' he told reporters in Tapah today. Together with him on the campaign trail for Ayer Kuning today was DAP assistant national publicity secretary Young Syefura Othman. Syahredzan said DAP remains committed to supporting Barisan Nasional candidate Yusri Bakir, with the campaign's focus on ensuring continuity of service and safeguarding development and welfare in Ayer Kuning. He said DAP had been assigned to assist in 15 polling districts, with the main priority being efforts to increase voter turnout. The Ayer Kuning by-election will see a three-cornered fight between Yusri, Perikatan Nasional candidate Abd Muhaimin Malek and KS Bawani of Parti Sosialis Malaysia. The Election Commission has set polling for April 26, with early voting on April 22.
