Kuala Kangsar by-election: BN candidate meets five elements of party

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said apart from that, Mastura was also selected as she had an understanding of the constituency and was friendly to the people of Kuala Kangsar.

"The candidate also understands the party and supports the division leadership. We want to give priority to our backbone (Wanita UMNO)," he said when announcing the BN candidate and launching the BN machinery for Kuala Kangsar by-election, here today.

Mastura, 55, is the widow of the previous MP Datuk Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad who died in a helicopter crash in Sebuyau, Sarawak on May 5.

A mother of four children, she is also a graduate of Lincoln's Inn of United Kingdom and had worked as as a lawyer for six years.

Apart from that, she was also active in politics and was a member of the Chembong UMNO division committee in Negeri Sembilan before deciding to devote her time to the family and her late husband.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also UMNO deputy president, wanted all BN parties to give their undivided support to Mastura to ensure BN retained the Kuala Kangsar parliamentary seat.

"Our opponent (PAS) is fielding a professional who is also a woman, so we should find a professional.

"We are not infallible as there are weaknesses. But when a candidate is selected as the BN candidate, there should not be complaints and allegations among us.

"If some of us were disappointed with the existing or previous leadership, we should still stand behind and support the candidate," he said.

Elaborating further, Ahmad Zahid said the selection of the candidate was also made to ensure the continuous development planned and implemented by Wan Mohammad Khair-il earlier continued.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the continuity of development in Kuala Kangsar should proceed uninterrupted based on development politics and not solely on modern development in line with its name as the Royal Town.

"We should develop the Royal Town. Certainly we want to see something to have continuity, therefore there should be something for the old, young, women and men.

"We know young people here comprised 36 per cent of 32,949 registered voters, so their taste should be translated into development project activities," he said.

The Election Commission had set the Kuala Kangsar by-election for June 18 while the nomination day would be held on June 5.

The Kuala Kangsar by-election may see more than a straight fight should Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) announce its candidate on June 1.