Mohamad Yusri Bakir

Summary

Dr Mohamad Yusri bin Bakir (born 1971) is a career educator and UMNO politician who won the Ayer Kuning state seat in Perak at the April 2025 by-election with a 5,006-vote majority on his electoral debut, representing the BN coalition under the Unity Government. Holding a PhD in Islamic Education from UPSI, he brings over three decades of teaching and teacher-education experience to the Perak State Legislative Assembly. His stated agenda focuses on education quality, TVET development, and community welfare for Ayer Kuning's residents.

Biography

Dr Mohamad Yusri bin Bakir (born 1971) is a Malaysian educator and politician who has served as the State Legislative Assembly Member (ADUN) for Ayer Kuning, Perak, since April 2025, representing the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) under the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition [1]. A native of Ayer Kuning itself, he holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Islamic Education from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), obtained in 2017 [1]. His professional career spans more than three decades in education: he taught at Toh Tandewa Sakti National School, Tapah, from 1992 to 2005, and at Batu Tiga National School, Temoh, from 2006 to 2007, before joining the Institute of Teacher Education (IPG) Ipoh Campus as a lecturer in 2007, rising to Head of the Department of Islamic and Moral Education [1]. Within UMNO, he served as Division Information Chief for Tapah from 2018 to 2020 and has held the post of Division Secretary of BN and UMNO Tapah since 2020 [1]. Outside party politics, he served as a Member of the Tapah District Council for Zone 10 of Pekan Temoh from 2023 to 2026, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Islamic Education Teachers' Cooperative of Perak Berhad since 2022, and Chairman of the Children's Education Organisation of Tapah since 2021 [1]. He entered electoral politics for the first time in the 2025 Ayer Kuning state by-election, called following the death in office of incumbent Ishsam Shahruddin on 22 February 2025 [2]. He won the seat on 26 April 2025 with a majority of 5,006 votes in a three-cornered contest [3]. Mohamad Yusri is married and is a father of four children [4].

Known for

Mohamad Yusri is primarily identified as an Islamic education specialist-turned-politician, having built a decades-long career as a government teacher and teacher educator before entering elected office [5]. He is the first-time winner of the Ayer Kuning state seat for BN in the April 2025 by-election, achieving the largest winning margin in the constituency's recent history with a 5,006-vote majority [6]. His candidacy was marked by a seven-pledge manifesto centred on education quality, youth development, TVET, and community welfare under the theme 'Ayer Kuning Sejahtera Bersama' (A Prosperous Ayer Kuning Together) [2].

Political positions

Mohamad Yusri's stated political priorities centre on education as a foundation for community development. On nomination day, he publicly committed to continuing the education agenda of the late assemblyman Ishsam Shahruddin, describing education as the foundation for developing an educated and high-quality society [1]. His election manifesto included seven pledges covering economic uplift, improvement of people's livelihood, infrastructure development, youth agenda, strengthening of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme, well-being of the elderly, women and the Orang Asli community, and quality education for Ayer Kuning children [2]. He has also indicated support for a planned TVET institution within the Ayer Kuning constituency as a priority agenda to improve the quality of life of the community [5]. He has pledged to open a Public Service Centre with extended operating hours, including on weekends, and to conduct regular visits to villages and residential areas [2]. As a BN candidate under the Unity Government framework, his campaign was supported jointly by BN and Pakatan Harapan (PH) machinery [2].

Education

1. 2017Graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Islamic Education from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI).⛓

Before politics

1. 1992–2005Served as a teacher at Toh Tandewa Sakti National School, Tapah.⛓
2. 2006–2007Served as a teacher at Batu Tiga National School, Temoh.⛓
3. 2007Joined the Institute of Teacher Education (IPG) Ipoh Campus as a lecturer; subsequently attained Grade DG52 (excellent lecturer) and served as Head of the Department of Islamic and Moral Education.⛓

Political career

1. 2013Appointed Branch Chief of UMNO Kampung Sekolah, a post he has held since.⛓
2. 2018–2020Served as Division Information Chief of UMNO Tapah.⛓
3. 2020Appointed Division Secretary of BN and UMNO Tapah, a post he continues to hold.⛓
4. 7 April 2025Announced as the BN candidate for the Ayer Kuning state by-election by Perak BN chairman Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.⛓
5. 26 April 2025Won the Ayer Kuning state by-election with 11,065 votes and a majority of 5,006 votes in a three-cornered contest, becoming ADUN for Ayer Kuning.⛓

Election history

• 2025Ayer Kuning (N.48), PerakWon60.7%⛓

Perspectives on key issues

• GovernmentPerak BN Chairman Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said Mohamad Yusri's victory was clear evidence of voters' support for the stability agenda brought by the Unity Government, and that Ayer Kuning voters had chosen to reject politics of slander and division in favour of unity and harmony.⛓
• ExpertUniversiti Malaysia Terengganu deputy vice-chancellor Prof Dr Mohd Izani Mohd Zain said BN's victory gave a clear picture of the political situation in Perak, noting that 'Ayer Kuning is a traditional UMNO stronghold' and that BN had the advantage of PH supporters' votes under the Unity Government cooperation.⛓
• ExpertPolitical analyst Dr G Manimaran, writing in Sinar Harian, said Mohamad Yusri's PhD in Islamic Education made him the best candidate BN could field against a PAS opponent who also had a religious education background, and that his selection would meet the preferences of the majority Malay and Muslim electorate in Ayer Kuning.⛓
• IndustryBFM reported that while BN retained Ayer Kuning with a 5,000-vote majority, BN's vote share had slipped compared to previous contests, PN gained ground, and PSM doubled its support, with turnout plunging to 58%, suggesting voter fatigue and a shifting political undercurrent.⛓
• VerifiedFactsThe Election Commission confirmed official results: Mohamad Yusri Bakir (BN) 11,065 votes; Abd Muhaimin Malek (PN) 6,059 votes; Bawani KS (PSM) 1,106 votes; spoilt votes 289; majority 5,006; total voter turnout 58.07%.⛓

Asset declarations

According to Harian Metro, Mohamad Yusri Bakir declared his assets prior to entering the Ayer Kuning by-election contest. The specific values and details of the declaration were not publicly disclosed in available reports (Source: hmetro.com.my).