Teluk Intan campaigns put on hold following Sultan's death

Both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat have halted all campaigning in the Teluk Intan by-election due to Perak Sultan, Sultan’s Azlan Shah’s death earlier today.

Despite it being just three days before polling day on Saturday, DAP campaign director Tony Pua said that the Opposition’s campaign has been put on pause indefinitely.

“Campaigning has been put on hold as mark of respect to the passing of the Perak Sultan and there will be no press even until further notice,” Pua told the media in a text message.

Similarly, the BN-Gerakan campaign has cancelled most of its programmes, or scaled them down, BN candidate and Gerakan president Mah Siew Keong reportedly said.

This was confirmed by Gerakan by-election campaign director Datuk Chang Ko Youn, who said that programmes will only resume after tomorrow evening.

DAP was supposed to hold a press conference, a book launch, and a ceramah at Kg Bahagia here tonight; while BN-Gerakan was to have two ceramahs at a temple in Jln Laksamana and Nova Scotia here.

This afternoon, Perak Menteri Besar Zambry Abdul Kadir announced that the nation will observe seven days of mourning while tomorrow, when the sultan's funeral will be held, will be a public holiday.

Sultan Azlan Shah passed away at 1.30 pm today. His Royal Highness was 86.

On another matter both Mah and Dyana expressed their sadness over the Sultan's passing.

Mah said that the state ruler had greatly contributed to the people in various aspects, especially the welfare and development of the state of Perak.