BN to ‘campaign without candidate’ in Kuala Kangsar by-election, DPM says

(Bernama) – Barisan Nasional (BN) will adopt the ‘campaigning without the candidate’ strategy for the Kuala Kangsar parliamentary by-election as its candidate, Datin Mastura Mohd Yazid, is observing ‘iddah’ (the waiting period following the death of a Muslim woman’s husband). 

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the newly adopted strategy of the BN machinery ever since its inception, took into consideration the fatwa or edict according to the qat’ie law (definitive source of Islamic law) on the ‘iddah’ period.   

Umno had consulted several Muslim scholars including those who are members of the National Fatwa Council, besides discussing with Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria, to clear the air among differing views on the position of BN candidates who are observing the ‘iddah’, he told Malaysian reporters here.

The Deputy Prime Minister said as such, several methods had been sought to introduce Mastura to the voters including broadcasting records of her speech at all district polling centres and targeted locations, besides non-verbal communication methods. 

“Rest assured that we (BN) have well-thought out this strategy to ensure that due respect is given to Islamic law and hope that the voters in Kuala Kangsar, comprising almost 60 per cent Muslims, will understand the needs of the situation,” he said.