Defiant Umno Youth leader to contest as independent in Kuala Kangsar

(MMO) – Umno youth leader Syed Rosli Syed Harman Jamalullail has confirmed he is running in the June 18 Kuala Kangsar by-election as an independent candidate, despite possible disciplinary action from his party. 

The Taman Cempaka Umno youth assistant secretary said he was “disappointed” by Perak Umno’s decision to field a non-local Datin Mastura Mohd Yazid as he felt there were more capable candidates who should have been selected.

“My decision has been made. I am disappointed with Perak Umno’s decision to field Mastura. She is still observing the iddah, why the desperation in fielding her?

“Furthermore, she is not from Kuala Kangsar, she is from Negri Sembilan,” he told Malay Mail Online.

“I am prepared to be sacked for my actions in going against the party, I am taking a risk by contesting as an independent,” Syed Rosli added.

Mastura, the widow of former Kuala Kangsar MP Datuk Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad, was nominated as the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate on Saturday to replace her recently deceased husband.

She was reported to have said in a video recording that she would not be able to actively hit the campaign trail as she would be observing “iddah” for a period of four months and 10 days as stipulated in Islam following the death of her husband.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said BN will adopt the “campaigning without the candidate” strategy for the Kuala Kangsar contest.

He also reportedly told the press in Tokyo that Umno had consulted several Muslim scholars on the matter to answer questions raised over how those observing the “iddah” can join the by-election race.

The Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar by-elections will be held on June 18, and were triggered by the death of the incumbents in a helicopter crash ahead of the May 7 Sarawak poll.