Kuala Kangsar by-election: Zahid denies Mastura a forced candidate

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today denied that Datin Mastura Mohd Yazid was forced to contest in the Kuala Kangsar Parliamentary by-election as claimed by the opposition.

He said that the matter is not true, instead, it is the opposition's tactic to poison the minds of voters.

"I wonder how the allegation could have cropped up since I myself was the one who announced her name as the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate.

"In fact, before making the announcement, I have met with her and listened to the consent given. So, the term forced candidate should not arise here. We see this totally as a psychological game by the opposition."

Ahmad Zahid was speaking to reporters after attending a gathering with residents at the Ulu Kenas district polling centre here.

Previously, Mastura's nomination was disputed by some quarters since her 'iddah' term is still not over following the death of her husband, Datuk Wan Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad, who is also the incumbent for the Parliamentary seat.

In this by-election, Mastura faces Dr Najihatussalehah Ahmad of PAS, Dr Ahmad Termizi Ramli of Parti Amanah Negara and Independent candidate Izzat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary.