Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi said the multimedia approach was necessary as Jamilah would not be able to go out to campaign (because of the mourning period).
“We will follow the campaign mould in Kuala Kangsar. The BN candidate will not go out, on the other hand, we will use multimedia and printed material in our campaigning,” he told the Malaysian media here today.
Zahid is on a four-day working visit to Qatar from today at the invitation of Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani.
He said the matter (whether Jamilah can engage in campaigning activities) had been referred to Sarawak Mufti Kipli Yassin and former Perlis Mufti Juanda Jaya to obtain their views.
The Tanjong Datu by-election sees a three-cornered fight between Jamilah, who is also the widow of former Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem, who was the incumbent, and Rapelson Richard Hamit from Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) Baru and Johnny Aput from Parti Reformasi Negeri (Star).
Nominations were made yesterday while polling will take place on Feb 18.
Zahid said he also hoped that voters in the area would continue to give their support to BN and place their trust in Jamilah, 61, to defend the seat.
In addition, he said the people of Sarawak must also ensure victory for the BN candidate to enable new Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Tun Openg to continue efforts to bring development to residents in the area.
The Tanjong Datu by-election is being held following the death of Adenan on Jan 11 due to heart complications.
The Kuala Kangsar by-election held on June 18 last year was also similar as the BN candidate Mastura Mohd Yazid lost her husband Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad when he was killed in a helicopter crash in Sarawak on May 5 that same year. She easily defended the seat for BN.
Under Islamic jurisprudence, widows must observe an “eddah” (mourning) period) lasting three months and therefore cannot leave their homes unless given permission.