Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that 10 of the 11 polling stations in Ayer Kuning the party lost at the 2022 general election had returned to Barisan Nasional’s fold at the by-election today.
Zahid said the return of these polling stations were the icing on the cake following BN‘s victory tonight.
“This win proves that the people rejected the politics of hate and voted for stability and development. It also sends a strong signal that the unity government is accepted because it could administer the state and country well.”
BN candidate Yusri Bakir was declared the winner of the by-election tonight with a 5,006-vote majority, more than double the 2,213-vote majority obtained in 2022 by Ishsam Shahruddin, whose death on Feb 22 caused the by-election for the state assembly seat.
Zahid, who is BN chairman, said he believed that the coalition’s victory would carry on the legacy left by Isham, whom he said was a dedicated assemblyman. “His spirit lives on and will continue to inspire us,” Zahid said.
Umno information chief Azalina Othman Said described Yusri’s victory as a reflection of the people’s faith in Umno and BN as well as their confidence in the unity government.
“It is sends a signal that the people want a stable government that can perform,” she said.
