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DR MOHAMAD Yusri Bakir wasted no time assuming his new role as the assemblyman for Ayer Kuning, heading straight into the community by 8am the morning after winning the seat in a three-cornered fight during the recent by-election.
Echoing the lyrics of N.D. Lala’s song ‘Diari YB’ – “Jam baru pukul lapan, YB kena lawat kawasan, tapi di tengah jalan, pengundi tahan minta bantuan” (It’s only eight o’clock, but the YB must visit the area – on the way, voters stop to ask for help) – Mohamad Yusri embraced his new duties with immediate effect.
Among the locations he visited were Simpang Tiga, Air Kuning Selatan, and Kampung Tersusun Haji Tahir, where he made time to speak with residents, check on their welfare, listen to concerns, and gather direct feedback from the local community.
He stated that his immediate priority is to examine fundamental issues such as infrastructure, expanding local economic opportunities, and ensuring the welfare of all segments of society is preserved.
At the same time, he pledged to deliver on the manifesto introduced during the by-election campaign.
“I don’t have time to rest, considering the short term I have before the next general election. This requires me to quickly implement all plans and promises made to the people,” he told Bernama.
“With less than three years before the next general election, this period must be fully utilised to prove my capability in representing the voices and aspirations of Ayer Kuning residents.”
Mohamad Yusri, who also serves as the Secretary of UMNO Tapah Division, secured the Ayer Kuning state seat with a majority of 5,006 votes, receiving 11,065 votes in total. He defeated Abd Muhaimin Malek of Perikatan Nasional, who garnered 6,059 votes, and Parti Sosialis Malaysia’s candidate Bawani KS, who obtained 1,106 votes.
The result reaffirms Ayer Kuning as a Barisan Nasional stronghold, a status it has held since 1986.
The by-election was triggered by the death of incumbent assemblyman Ishsam Shahruddin, 58, on 22 February. - April 27, 2025