KOTA BARU, March 21 — Kelantan Umno members who will be voting in the Chempaka by-election tomorrow are free to make their own choice as to which candidate to vote for, said Kelantan Umno chairman Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.

“We encourage Umno supporters in Chempaka to come out and vote and they are free to decide on who (candidate) would best represent them,” he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the Kelantan Umno Liaison Committee here today.

He added that Umno was in no way involved in the by-election and did not sponsor any of the candidates.

The Barisan Nasional, of which Umno is the backbone, has given the by-election a miss to concentrate on post-flood relief work in the state. Kelantan was hit by devastating floods, the worst in decades, at the end of last year.

The Chempaka by-election was called following the demise of its representative, former Kelantan Mentri Besar and PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat on Feb 12.

A total of 20,390 ordinary voters are expected to cast their votes tomorrow.

The Chempaka by-election sees a five-cornered fight between PAS and four independents.     

PAS is being represented by its Chempaka Ulama chief Ahmad Fathan Mahmood @ Mahamad, 42.

The four independent candidate are former lecturer Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary, 48, former vice-president of Kelantan Perkasa Sharif Mahmood, 59, president of Pertubuhan Keturunan Paduka Raja Cik Siti Wan Kembang Fadzillah Hussin, 55, and a retiree from the Ministry of Health, Aslah Mamat, 64. — Bernama