AYER KUNING BY-ELECTION: BN CANDIDATE LOOKS SERIOUS, BUT FRIENDLY AND APPROACHABLE - COLLEAGUE

TAPAH,  April 20  (Bernama) -- Behind the serious demeanour, Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Ayer Kuning state by-election, Dr Mohamad Yusri Bakir, is a friendly and approachable person, according to his former colleague.

Retired teacher Mohd Nor Bahari Baharudin, 58, said he got to know Mohamad Yusri in the 1990s when they were both teaching at Sekolah Kebangsaan Toh Tandewa Sakti.

“He was always helpful and easy to approach. Whenever we had problems, he would do his best to help. One of his standout qualities is his excellent memory—he could recall students’ names, car plate numbers, you name it,” he said when met by Bernama at the Rahmah MADANI Sales Programme in Tapah Road.

Sharing a lighthearted memory, Mohd Nor Bahari recalled how the two of them once missed part of Friday prayers because they were too engrossed in discussing life and plans.

“Back when we were still single, we used to hang out a lot. We often gather at the homes of our married friends,” he added with a laugh.

The former Computer Science teacher said that as soon as he found out that Mohamad Yusri was announced as the BN candidate, he felt proud and confident in his friend's ability to represent the people in Ayer Kuning.

Mohd Nor Bahari said Mohamad Yusri also comes from a family that values ​​religion, as his father is an ustaz (religious teacher).

The Ayer Kuning by-election, called following the death of its Ishsam Shahruddin last Feb 22, will be a three-cornered contest between Mohamad Yusri, Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Abd Muhaimin Malek and Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) candidate Bawani KS.

The Election Commission has set April 26 for polling day, while early voting is on April 22

-- BERNAMA