The widow of the Kuala Kangsar Member of Parliament who died in a helicopter crash in Sebuyau, Sarawak on May 5, Mastura Mohd Yazid, has been named as the BN candidate for the by-election for the seat next month.

The announcement was made by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the BN Command Centre at the Safari Resort in Kuala Kangsar today.

Mastura, 55, is a law graduate from Lincoln's Inn in the United Kingdom and had served as a lawyer for six years.

The mother of four had also been active in politics and was a committee member of the Chembong Umno division, Negri Sembilan, before making the decision to rest and concentrate on her family and late husband.

The by-election for Kuala Kangsar is being held following the death of its MP, Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad, in the helicopter crash in Sebuyau.

The Election Commission has fixed June 18 as polling day for the Kuala Kangsar Parliamentary seat while nomination day was set for June 5.
   
In the 13th general election, Wan Mohammad Khair-il obtained a majority of 1,082 votes to beat the PAS candidate Khalil Idham Lim Abdullah and Independent candidate Kamilia Ibrahim. 
   
The Kuala Kangsar Parliamentary constituency has 32,949 registered voters comprising ordinary voters (32,632), early voters (312) and absent voters abroad (five).
   
Yesterday, PAS announced that the head of the Perak PAS Women's wing, Dr Najihatussalehah Ahmad, will be the party's candidate for the Kuala Kangsar by-election. 
   
Meanwhile, Parti Amanah Negara will announce its candidate on June 1.

- Bernama