BARISAN Nasional candidate Mohd Sharim Md Zain has acknowledged that standing in a by-election during the Covid-19 pandemic is extremely challenging.

He said the campaign for the Chini contest has to be run under the “new normal”, with strict standard operating procedures in place.

Voter meet-and-greets are usually a huge part of campaigning, but another approach must be taken now, he said.

Sharim apologised to Chini constituents, especially those who know him, for not being able to shake their hands, as per the SOPs set by the Election Commission.

“Today (yesterday) saw the first series of my campaign to meet voters. Because I’m so used to meeting people, I shook hands with them at first. But I was reminded (of the SOPs), and heeded right away.

“We also told voters about the SOPs. So, I’m sorry for that. It’s not that I don’t want to (shake hands),” he said after a campaign programme at Felda Chini Timur 1 last night.

The by-election was called following the death of assemblyman Abu Bakar Harun, 60, of a heart attack on May 7.

The July 4 vote is a three-way fight between Sharim, 41, and independents Tengku Zainul Hisham Tengku Hussin, 64, and Mohd Shukri Mohd Ramli, 49.

Early voting will be held on June 30. – Bernama, June 22, 2020.