THE campaign for the Ayer Kuning state seat by-election has begun on a rather subdued note, with candidates actively meeting voters on the ground but without the usual energy associated with election season.
A survey by Bernama around the constituency revealed a lack of visible campaign paraphernalia such as party flags and posters, and no large-scale political rallies have been held thus far.
Dr Siti Noranizahhafizah Boyman, a political analyst and Senior Lecturer at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), described the campaign's first phase as “lukewarm”, with candidates favouring direct engagement through door-to-door visits—an approach she noted is often more effective in building voter rapport.
“All candidates and political parties appear to be adopting a cautious campaign strategy, avoiding any controversy,” she said.
Siti Noranizahhafizah observed that sensitive issues involving race, religion, and the monarchy—commonly referred to as “3R” topics—have not been raised by any candidate or party, marking a shift from previous by-elections.
“However, I would like to highlight that local and domestic issues have yet to be given adequate attention,” she added.
With the campaign entering its second week, she anticipates a shift in strategy as parties prepare to unveil their “main weapons” starting Saturday, likely leading to a more charged atmosphere in Ayer Kuning.
“The decision by Barisan Nasional (BN) not to hold large-scale rallies gives Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) the opportunity to use such platforms to capture voter attention,” she explained.
BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had previously announced that the coalition would not conduct major rallies, instead focusing on grassroots engagement through personal visits.
Siti Noranizahhafizah noted that the current momentum appears to favour BN’s candidate, Dr Mohamad Yusri Bakir, who has been buoyed by strong support from the ruling coalition throughout his campaign trail.
Echoing her view, Dr Jamaie Hamil, Senior Lecturer in Political Science at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), said the relatively quiet campaign is not unusual, given that Ayer Kuning has long been a BN stronghold, making it challenging for opposition parties to gain traction.
“Opposition parties may be lacking in substantial issues to challenge the incumbent, which is why we might see them resorting to major rallies during the second phase,” he said.
“At the moment, on social media, they’re mostly engaging in petty attacks,” Jamaie added.
The Ayer Kuning by-election is a three-cornered fight featuring BN’s Dr Mohamad Yusri Bakir, Abd Muhaimin Malek of PN, and Bawani KS from PSM.
The Election Commission has set polling day for 26 April, with early voting scheduled for 22 April. – April 18, 2025
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