Bn S Choice Of Ustaz Will Go Well With Ayer Kuning Voters Says Umno Youth Leader

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Yusri Bakir with Umno president and BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (right) and Perak menteri besar and state BN chief Saarani Mohamad after he was named as BN’s candidate for the Ayer Kuning by-election yesterday. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional’s decision to field a former teacher with an Islamic education background as its candidate for the Ayer Kuning by-election could pay off, particularly among Malay-Muslim voters, says an Umno Youth leader.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the leader said 54-year-old ustaz Yusri Bakir’s candidacy for the April 26 by-election was well-suited to the current ground sentiments.
This is especially in light of dissatisfaction among Malay-Muslim voters with the ruling unity coalition, he told FMT.
“That could work given the ruling federal coalition’s current rapport (with Malay-Muslim voters), particularly on issues related to religion, is generally not that good,” he said.

The Umno Youth leader said Yusri’s background as a teacher and an ustaz may give him an edge among the community.
“Someone who is a teacher and ustaz has a special and respected place in the community. If throughout his teaching career he has been based in Tapah, that might be another advantage,” he said.
Yesterday, Perak BN chief Saarani Mohamad announced Yusri, the Tapah Umno secretary, as its candidate for the by-election.
Based on 2018 election data, Ayer Kuning is a mixed seat with a demographic of 58% Malay voters, 23% Chinese, 14% Indian and 5% others.
Malay voters are expected to be crucial with non-Malay voter turnout often lower in by-elections.
However, the Umno Youth leader cautioned that BN’s campaign must not overlook the non-Malay voters in the state seat, which falls under the Tapah parliamentary constituency represented by MIC deputy president M Saravanan.
“Tapah is a mixed constituency. We still need to convince the non-Malays with the right narrative, although the turnout of non-Malays is usually low in state elections and by-elections,” he said.
He said Umno Youth’s priority now must be on ensuring victory for BN, despite earlier speculation that the candidacy would be given to someone from the youth wing.
“The decision has been made. Like it or not, we have to make sure we win. The party’s interest is the priority,” he said, adding that the Umno Youth rank and file will toe the party line as they were disciplined.
The Ayer Kuning by-election was called following the death of Ishsam Shahruddin on Feb 22. Ishsam won the seat in the last general election with a 2,213-vote majority in a five-cornered contest.
It was previously speculated that Perak Umno Youth vice-chief Fahmi Ahmad Jakhisi was among the frontrunners to be fielded as a BN candidate for the by-election. - FMT

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