KAMPAR: With polling day just days away, Barisan Nasional candidate for the Ayer Kuning state by-election, Dr Mohamad Yusri Bakir, is calling on supporters, especially those working elsewhere, to return home and cast their votes.
The Tapah Umno secretary stressed the importance of voter turnout in what is expected to be a closely watched contest on April 26.
“I urge all Barisan supporters, especially those working outside the constituency, to come back and vote,” he said during a press conference following an interview session with MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon here yesterday.
The session was part of Barisan’s broader digital campaign, where Dr Mah interviewed Mohamad Yusri about his manifesto, priorities and hopes for the constituency, which was broadcast live on Dr Mah’s TikTok account.
Mohamad Yusri noted that while voter turnout is always a challenge, especially in rural areas, his team is ramping up outreach efforts through social media to engage both young and older voters.
“One of the ways to reach the younger generation nowadays is through social media. There is also the older generation (on social media), but the younger ones are more prone to using it.
“They will get to see what I can offer them.
“We will also continue with our door-to-door campaign until the final day,” he added.
Dr Mah and MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan had earlier said that their parties would work hard to persuade those working in other areas to return and vote.
The state by-election, which takes place on April 26, was called following the passing of Barisan incumbent Ishsam Shahruddin in February.
During the interview, Mohamad Yusri said he would give focus to issues touching on “LLT”, or Longkang, Lampu dan Ternak (drains, streetlights and farms).
He added these issues were often raised by the people he met while campaigning.
“Ishsam had already initiated discussions with the relevant agencies to address these issues, and I intend to follow through on his efforts,” said Mohamad Yusri.
In GE15, Ishsam polled 9,088 votes and won by a 2,213-vote majority, defeating Pakatan Harapan’s Mohd Nazri Hashim, Perikatan Nasional’s Muhammad Noor Farid, Pejuang’s Maziah Salim and Parti Sosialis Malaysia’s KS Bawani.
Mohamad Yusri will be up against Bawani and Perikatan’s Abd Muhaimin Malek.
