2025 Ayer Kuning by-election

The 2025 Ayer Kuning by-election was a by-election for the Perak State Legislative Assembly seat of Ayer Kuning held on 26 April 2025. It was called following the death of incumbent, Ishsam Shahruddin on 22 February 2025.^[1][2][3] Ishsam served as Member of the Perak State Legislative Assembly (MLA) from 2022.

2025 Ayer Kuning by-election

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N48 Ayer Kuning seat in the Perak State Legislative Assembly
Turnout	58.06%（16.79%）
First party Second party Third party   BN PN PSM Candidate Mohamad Yusri Bakir Abdul Muhaimin Malek Bawani Kaniapan Party UMNO PAS PSM Alliance BN PN Popular vote 11,065 6,059 1,106 Percentage 60.70% 33.23% 6.07%
Ayer Kuning assemblyman before election Ishsam Shahruddin (deceased) Barisan Nasional (UMNO) Elected Ayer Kuning assemblyman Mohamad Yusri Bakir Barisan Nasional (UMNO)

Barisan Nasional's Mohamad Yusri Bakir defeated both Perikatan Nasional's Abdul Muhaimin Malek and the Socialist Party of Malaysia's Bawani Kaniapan by a majority of 5,006 votes.^[4][5]

Nomination

On 24 February, the National Trust Party (AMANAH), who previously contested the seat under Pakatan Harapan's (PH) banner in the last election, confirmed it would make way for the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate in the by-election.^[6] BN Chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the candidate will be selected among six shortlisted names chosen by Tapah UMNO, and is expected to be announced a week before nomination day.^[7] On 7 April, BN named Islamic academic and Tapah UMNO Secretary Mohamad Yusri Bakir as its candidate.^[8]

On 28 February, Perikatan Nasional (PN) Chairman Muhyiddin Yassin confirmed that the coalition's candidate will be from the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS).^[9] PAS' Tapah branch was also reported to have shortlisted three names as possible candidates, primarily young local candidates.^[10] On 8 April, PN announced Tapah PN chairman Abdul Muhaimin Malek as its candidate.^[11]

The Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM), who also contested the seat in the last election, was reported to be in consideration on whether to contest in the by-election. PSM Chairman Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj said the matter would be discussed among the party, and with electoral allies the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) and Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM).^[12] On 22 March, PSM confirmed it will contest in the by-election, with MUDA pledging to support their bid the following day.^[13][14] On 8 April, PSM once again fielded Bawani Kaniapan as their candidate for the seat.^[15]

Timeline

The key dates are listed below.

Date	Event
7 March 2025	Issue of the Writ of Election
12 April 2025	Nomination day
12 - 25 April 2025	Campaigning period
22 - 25 April 2025	Early polling days for postal and overseas voters
26 April 2025	Polling day

Results

Perak state by-election, 26 April 2025: Ayer Kuning
Upon the death of incumbent, Ishsam Shahruddin

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	∆%
	BN	Mohamad Yusri Bakir	11,065	60.70	21.97
	PN	Abdul Muhaimin Malek	6,059	33.23	3.93
	Parti Sosialis Malaysia	Bawani Kaniapan	1,106	6.07	3.57
Total valid votes			18,230	100.00
Total rejected ballots			289
Unreturned ballots			3
Turnout			18,522	58.06	16.79
Registered electors			31,897
Majority			5,006	27.47	18.04
	BN hold		Swing

Previous results

Perak state election, 2022: Ayer Kuning

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	∆%
	BN	Ishsam Shahruddin	9,088	38.73	8.90
	PH	Mohd Nazri Hashim	6,875	29.30	7.46
	PN	Muhamamd Noor Farid Zainal	6,812	29.03	29.03
	Parti Sosialis Malaysia	Bawani Kaniapan	586	2.50	2.50
	GTA	Maziah Salim	105	0.45	0.45
Total valid votes			23,466	100.00
Total rejected ballots			394
Unreturned ballots			46
Turnout			23,906	74.85	5.39
Registered electors			31,940
Majority			2,213	9.43	1.44
	BN hold		Swing