NOMINATION Day for the Ayer Kuning state seat by-election was carried out in an orderly and peaceful manner on Saturday morning, according to Perak Police Chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin.
Speaking at a press conference following the event, Noor Hisam confirmed that police were satisfied with the level of cooperation from all contesting parties and that the process, which took place at Dewan Merdeka in Tapah, concluded without any untoward incidents.
"So far, we have not received any reports of election-related offences," he said.
A total of 778 police personnel were deployed to ensure traffic control and security throughout the nomination proceedings, which officially ended at 10.00am.
Following the completion of nominations, the Ayer Kuning by-election is now set to feature a three-cornered fight between Barisan Nasional (BN), Perikatan Nasional (PN), and Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM).
Representing BN is Dr Mohamad Yusri Bakir, 54, the UMNO Tapah Division Secretary. PN has fielded 44-year-old Abd Muhaimin Malek, Chairman of PN Tapah, while PSM is represented by its Deputy Secretary-General, Bawani KS, aged 40.
Noor Hisam also announced that police had approved five campaign permit applications as of now, as the 14-day campaigning period officially begins, leading up to polling day on 26 April.
“We advise all contesting parties to refrain from raising sensitive issues related to race, religion, or the monarchy — the 3R issues — during the campaign period,” he said.
He added that police officers will be stationed at each campaign venue and ceramah location to ensure compliance with regulations, including restrictions on campaigning beyond the designated hours.
The Election Commission (EC) has set early voting for 22 April, with polling day scheduled for 26 April.
The by-election was called following the death of the incumbent assemblyman, Ishsam Shahruddin, 58, who collapsed during a football match in Penang on 22 February.
The Ayer Kuning constituency has a total of 31,897 registered voters, including 31,315 ordinary voters and 582 police personnel and their spouses. – April 12, 2025
