KUALA TERENGGANU: Azharudin Mamat @ Adam, the Independent candidate in the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election, said Tuesday (6 Jan) he decided to enter the fray as he wanted to help the poor in the area.

Azharudin, 46, a traditional medicine practitioner from Kampung Ladang Pasar, here, said he had thought of contesting in the by-election several days after the death of incumbent member of parliament Datuk Razali Ismail in Nov.

"I want to help the poor. I've seen too many leaders making all kinds of promises but did nothing when they won," he told reporters at the nomination centre here.

Asked why he kept his intention secret, Azharudin said, he had little time to make the announcement because he only made the final decision several days ago.

On his chances in the 17 Jan by-election, the father of nine children said, Allah would determine his fate.

Azharudin, whose father Datuk Adam Taib was a former political secretary to former Terengganu Menteri Besar Tan Sri Wan Mokhtar Ahmad, said he would spend RM15,000 to run his campaign.

"I will be distributing 5,000 pamphlets from house to house and install banners in strategic places," he said.

The by-election will see a three-cornered fight involving Azharudin, Barisan Nasional's Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh and Pas' Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut. (Bernama)