BN wins Ayer Kuning with 60.7pct votes

AYER KUNING POLLS | Polling for the Ayer Kuning state by-election has closed.

The contest was a three-cornered fight between BN’s Yusri Bakir, Perikatan Nasional’s Abd Muhaimin Malek, and PSM’s Bawani KS.

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This concludes the live report for the Ayer Kuning by-election.

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It’s official: BN wins

9.40pm: It's official, BN has won the Ayer Kuning by-election with 60.7 percent of votes.

Perikatan Nasional's vote share increased to 33.2 percent, while PSM bagged six percent of votes.

The outcome confirms that PSM will be losing its deposit.

READ MORE: Madani wins Ayer Kuning, but PSM makes waves while PN's pig agenda fails

People recognise govt’s efforts

9.32pm: In congratulating BN candidate Yusri Bakir’s win, Umno information chief Azalina Othman Said says it reflects the people’s recognition of the coalition government’s efforts to uplift Ayer Kuning for the people’s wellbeing.

“I extend my appreciation to Ayer Kuning voters for your support and undivided faith in BN.

“We will continue to serve Ayer Kuning residents to the best of our ability,” she says in a statement.

Saarani: Voters reject divisive politics

8.40pm: Ipoh Timor MP Howard Lee says BN's win is yet another sign that alliances formed within the coalition government are a winning formula for any challenges presented by political opponents.

Perak MB Saarani Mohamad also notes that the win shows Ayer Kuning voters reject divisive politics capable of tearing up society.

Following short speeches of gratitude from other Umno and Pakatan Harapan leaders, Umno Youth members kickstarted a chant expressing gratitude to voters and Saarani.

"Terima kasih, terima kasih, undi BN" (Thank you, thank you, for voting BN) and "Terima kasih, terima kasih, Cikgu Saarani" (Thank you, thank you, Cikgu Saarani) reverberate through the venue.

Polling streams all accounted for

8.30pm: All polling streams have been accounted for, according to unofficial results.

BN appears to have won 60.3 percent of the vote, while PN's vote share is estimated at 33.9 percent.

As for PSM, while it has more than doubled its vote share, it is below six percent, far from the 12.5 percent needed to get its election deposit back.

Perak MB joins the merriment

8.07pm: Perak Menteri Besar Saarani Mohamad arrives at the BN command centre to cheers of jubilation from supporters gathered at the outdoor venue.

DAP's Ipoh Timor MP Howard Lee, who has been sitting beside Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki since around 7pm, earlier made a phone call once the latter declared BN's victory.

Lee is believed to have called Saarani or his aide, cheerfully telling the person on the other end of the line that the menteri besar must make his way to the venue to celebrate BN's win.

In an immediate response, MIC deputy president M Saravanan says the victory shows the people still have faith in BN.

“And they still remember our contributions to the constituency,” the Tapah MP adds.

BN crosses 50pct threshold

7.55pm: BN has crossed the 50 percent threshold of votes based on unofficial results and an estimated turnout of around 58 percent.

Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki also declares victory at the BN command centre in Ayer Kuning, leading those present into shouts of "Allahu Akbar".

PSM's performance has also improved markedly from the 2022 general election, but its vote share is still a distance away from keeping its deposit.

BN poised to win

7.45pm: Based on unofficial results, Malaysiakini is calling the Ayer Kuning by-election in BN's favour.

As of 7.45pm, BN is less than 1,500 votes away from crossing the 50 percent threshold, while maintaining a lead of over 4,000 votes against PN.

It is not likely that PN will catch up and make up the difference with just 16 polling streams yet to be accounted for.

PSM makes gains

7.40pm: PSM gains more votes in this by-election than in the last general election.

During GE15, PSM obtained 586 votes in Ayer Kuning.

So far, the socialist party has received 699 votes across 20 polling districts.

However, the party is likely to lose its deposit as it is still a distance away from the 12.5 percent vote threshold.

BN maintains strong lead

7:15pm: BN is maintaining a strong lead as the trickle of results from various polling streams starts to pick up.

With 17 out of 67 streams counted so far, BN has garnered 2,494 votes, compared to PN’s 751 votes and PSM’s 196 votes; giving BN a majority of 1,743 votes.

BN takes lead as results trickle in

6:15pm: BN has taken the lead as some of the first ballot boxes finish counting.

Based on the tally displayed at the coalition’s command centre, BN has garnered 557 votes so far, compared to 149 for PN and 27 for PSM. This gives BN a majority of 408 votes.

BN has managed to win most of the postal votes and the early votes, as well as the Kampung Raya polling district.

The outcome of another 62 polling streams is still pending.

Turnout trending below EC’s target

6pm: The turnout up to 4pm is trending towards about 58 percent, based on Malaysiakini’s estimate.

This is well below the Election Commission’s target of 70 percent, and the 74.85 percent turnout during the 2022 general election, though it is common for by-elections to have smaller turnouts than during general elections.

According to the EC, the turnout as of 4pm, an hour before polls closed, was 54.01 percent.

This is out of 31,897 people registered to vote in the constituency.

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