“After my announcement, I received calls, text messages and comments on social media, threatening to hurt me or kill me.

“Some even threatened to set my food stall on fire,” the Taman Cempaka Umno Youth assistant secretary told FMT.

Syed Rosli believes that the threats came about as many were unhappy with his intention to contest in the by-election, which could spoil Barisan Nasional’s chances.

He went on to reveal that he would soon lodge a police report over the threats.

Syed Rosli also dismissed speculation that he was sponsored by former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in a bid to split the votes.

He went on to explain that the main reason he wanted to contest in the by-election was to send a message to Umno’s top leadership that they should consider fielding locals in Kuala Kangsar instead of naming an “outsider”.

Syed Rosli yesterday announced he will contest as an independent candidate in the Kuala Kangsar by-election.

The election was called after the incumbent, Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad, was killed in a helicopter crash in Sarawak last month.

On Saturday, Wan Mohammad’s widow, Mastura Mohd Yazid, was named as BN’s candidate.