TAPAH: Tapah Umno secretary Dr Mohamad Yusri Bakir is set to be Barisan Nasional's candidate for the Ayer Kuning by-election, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
The Perak Mentri Besar, who is also state Barisan chairman, made the announcement during the launch of the coalition's election machinery by Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the Kampung Tersusun Haji Tahir multi-purpose hall in Temoh near here Monday (April 7).
The announcement was made during Barisan’s Tapah parliamentary constituency Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house.
Among those present were MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan, who is also the Tapah MP; MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong; MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon; PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar; Barisan secretary-general Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir; Parti Amanah Nasional (Amanah) president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu; Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah secretary-general Datuk Richard Kastum; and state DAP advisor Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham.
Mohamad Yusri, a Islamic Studies PhD holder from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, is currently the Moral and Islamic Studies Department chief at the Ipoh campus of the Teachers' Training Institute.
He is married and has four children.
Following the announcement, Mohamad Yusri expressed his deep gratitude to the party leadership and pledged to uphold the legacy of the late assemblyman Ishsam Shahruddin.
“I would like to thank Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid, Datuk Seri Saarani, and the entire Barisan leadership, especially Tapah Umno for placing their trust in me to represent Barisan in this by-election,” he said.
Mohamad Yusri emphasised the importance of unity and collective commitment in securing victory and serving the people of Ayer Kuning.
“God willing, with the cooperation and commitment of all of us, we can bring meaningful progress to the Ayer Kuning state constituency.
“We aim to continue the planning and initiatives laid out by the late assemblyman,” he added.
He concluded his speech with a message of hope, stating that this marks a good beginning, and hopefully with an excellent ending.
Ahmad Zahid, meanwhile, said the announcement of the candidate followed a thorough vetting process, where six names shortlisted were submitted to the top leadership for review.
He said after a careful evaluation of backgrounds and reports from multiple agencies, Mohamad Yusri was selected.
“Alhamdulillah, Dr Yusri has been chosen. He comes with a strong religious background and solid academic qualifications,” he added.
Ahmad Zahid said that both Barisan and Pakatan Harapan’s machinery would work hand-in-hand to ensure a win for Mohamad Yusri.
He said the campaign’s target remains 18,000 votes, and approximately 46% of voters in Ayer Kuning are youths, including many first-time voters.
“To reach them, we have tasked the Wanita, Pemuda, and Puteri wings to carry out such efforts.
“They will have their own programmes specifically designed to engage and attract these groups,” he added.
The Ayer Kuning by-election was called following the death of assemblyman Ishsam Shahruddin on Feb 22.
Since its inception in 1986, Ayer Kuning – which now has 31,897 voters – has always been won by Barisan Nasional, namely Umno.
In the 2022 general election, Ishsam won the seat with a 2,213-vote majority in a five-cornered contest involving Barisan, Perikatan Nasional, Pakatan Harapan, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) and Gerakan Tanah Air.
Nomination for the by-election has been set for April 12 and early voting is on April 22.
