BN candidate Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu's physical absence in the ongoing campaigns in the Tanjong Datu by-election is a new experience for the voters here.

State BN back bencher club (BNBBC) chief Abdullah Saidol said Jamilah's absence to observe 'tempoh iddah' had drawn some amount of curiosity particularly among non-Muslim voters in some remote rural areas.

"Even some Muslim voters had also asked about her absence. Of course they asked not out of any ill intention. They are just curious," he told Bernama when met during a brief visit to the media centre set up by the Information Department for the by-election.

Abdullah who is also chief political secretary to the chief minister said the BN here would soon release leaflets containing a private message from Jamilah to explain her absence.

"This will be done in various local dialects," he said.

On the whole, the majority of voters understand Jamilah's situation and the BN machinery had explained this on the ground.

"Even among non-Muslim bumiputeras and locals here, a wife is not supposed to be very visible socially for a certain period following the death of her husband.

"This is actually the norm and the culture observed by every community," Abdullah explained.

Meanwhile, he said the BN machinery would intensify its campaigns although these would be more on personal touch approach where they would pay visits minus the usual fanfare.

"We have all 48 members of the BNBBC who are elected state representatives on the ground now and assisted by the political secretaries.

"We have also mobilised many youth and women members of the Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) party," he said.

He said they had been assigned to every village in all 15 polling districts to campaign and gather feedbacks on the people's grouses and problems.

"We will relay them to our war room to be forwarded to the relevant agencies and department for remedies, no matter how small they are," he said.

On the usage of social media applications during campaigning, he said these were directed at voters working or staying outside Tanjong Datu.

"But our preference is for the more personal visits to the voters on the ground. This is much more effective in reaching out to them," he added.

The by-election is held following the death of its incumbent and Sarawak's fifth Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem on January 11 due to heart complications.

His widow Jamilah, 61, was nominated by the BN to defend the seat and is challenged by a candidate each from Sarawak State Reform Party (STAR) and PBDS Baru. -- Bernama