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THE recent by-election victory in Ayer Kuning is a strong indication that the Unity Government’s MADANI framework has resonated with voters in Perak, said Communications Minister and government spokesperson Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
Fahmi highlighted that Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Dr Mohamad Yusri Bakir won with an increased majority, while support for Perikatan Nasional (PN) had significantly declined.
“Of the 20 district polling centres, 19 were won by the MADANI Government. This is a positive sign but we must not be complacent… there is still a lot we must strive to do to ensure this victory can be consolidated,” he said at a press conference after launching the Community Day Programme (HBK) at NADI Sim Sim.
He attributed the victory to the mature and constructive campaigning style adopted by the coalition, in contrast to the opposition’s approach.
“The voters in Ayer Kuning rejected campaigns that were racist and divisive. It’s clear this is a rejection of that kind of politics. Malaysians, especially in Ayer Kuning, chose unity over division,” he said.
Meanwhile, political analyst Prof Dr Mohd Izani Mohd Zain said the outcome came as no surprise, noting that Ayer Kuning has long been considered a traditional UMNO seat. He added that the smooth cooperation between Pakatan Harapan (PH) and BN at the state level contributed significantly to the win.
“The result was expected. BN had the advantage, and with PH supporters backing them, they secured a comfortable victory,” said Izani, who is Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Student and Alumni Affairs at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.
He noted the political maturity evident in Perak’s landscape.
“The political landscape in Perak is unique because the collaboration between BN and PH is functioning well. This was reflected in the Ayer Kuning by-election. There were no major national issues raised—only local matters shaped the campaign,” he said on Bernama TV’s *Ruang Bicara* programme.
Senior Political Science lecturer at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Mujibu Abd Muis, said the persistently low voter turnout in recent by-elections remains a concern.
“In the context of by-elections, we need to find ways to reignite voter enthusiasm and reinforce the idea that every election is a civic responsibility,” he said.
Dr Mohamad Yusri, who is also UMNO Tapah Division Secretary, secured the Ayer Kuning seat with 11,065 votes, defeating PN’s Abd Muhaimin Malek, who received 6,059 votes, and Parti Sosialis Malaysia’s Bawani KS, who garnered 1,106 votes.
The result reaffirms BN’s longstanding hold on Ayer Kuning, which it has retained since 1986. The by-election was held following the death of the incumbent, Ishsam Shahruddin, on 22 February due to a heart attack. - April 27, 2025