CHEMPAKA Aslah Mamat, 64, one of the four independent candidates contesting the Chempaka state by-election, has ruled out witchcraft or shamans when he said he would be assisted by an ‘invisible force’ in the polls.

He said he had meant assistance from Allah (God) and angels, and nothing deviant.

“This matter has to be explained so that the people will not misunderstand me,” he told reporters.

Aslah said he was alone and not from any big political party. As such, he said, he had to depend on divine assistance.

Newspapers yesterday reported that Aslah, a businessman, would receive help from an ‘invisible force’ during the campaign period of the by-election, polling for which is on March 22.

Aslah is contesting the five-cornered by-election along with Ahmad Fathan Mahmood alias Mahamad, 42, of PAS and three independents, namely former lecturer Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary, 48; former Kelantan Perkasa vice-president Sharif Mahmood, 59, and Pertubuhan Keturunan Paduka Raja Cik Siti Wan Kembang president Fadzillah Hussin, 55.

The by-election is being held following the death of the assemblyperson, PAS spiritual leader and former Kelantan menteri besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, 84, on Feb 12.

- Bernama