IPOH: Perak Umno Youth vice-chairman Fahmi Ahmad Jakhisi has been backed to contest the Ayer Kuning state seat by-election.
Tanjung Malim Umno Youth chief Datuk Mohammad Fadil Kamaruddin said Fahmi, who is also Tapah Youth chief, would be a suitable candidate due to his ties to the constituency.
"He is a local, born and bred in Kampung Jawa, Ayer Kuning.
"He is the former special officer to former four-term Ayer Kuning assemblyman Datuk Samsudin Abu Hassan," he told The Star.
"He has vast experience in meeting and getting close with the locals, well-liked and accepted by all layers of the community in Tapah," he added.
Perak Umno Youth chief Nazirul Jamaluddin had reportedly said they would submit Fahmi's name to be considered by party leaders.
The by-election will be held after the passing of first-term assemblyman Ishsam Shahruddin, 58.
Ishsam collapsed while participating in a friendly football championship in George Town and died at the Penang Hospital on Feb 22.
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In the 2022 General Election, Ishsam polled 9,088 votes and won by a 2,213 majority, defeating Amanah's Mohd Nazri Hashim, Muhammad Noor Farid of PAS, KS Bawani from PSM, and Pejuang's Maziah Salim.
Fadil said Barisan Nasional should consider putting a candidate from its Youth wing to contest the by-election.
"The Perak state legislative assembly currently lacks a representative from the state Pemuda wing, and their voices cannot be heard at sittings.
"We hope the party leadership will consider our suggestion," he said.
"We hope that a young candidate can be put out for the Ayer Kuning by-election.
"We are still mourning the loss of Ishsam, but our struggle continues as urged by our party president and Barisan Nasional chairman to start working on the ground even though the Election Commission has yet to set a date for the by-election," he added.
