Anwar: Rafizi’s name among those proposed for Rantau by-election

(FMT) – There is a possibility of a new candidate for the upcoming Rantau by-election other than Dr Streram Sinnasamy.

PKR’s incoming president Anwar Ibrahim said former Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli was among those whose names have been suggested to be fielded as candidate.

Anwar, who was present at the PKR Congress today, said the candidate will be chosen after going through a proper process.

“Yes, Rafizi’s name was suggested. But he is more qualified than that,” Anwar told reporters.

Yesterday, the Election Court allowed the petition by PKR man Streram to declare the election for the Rantau seat in Negeri Sembilan invalid and ordered a fresh election be held.

Streram had on May 23 filed a petition to nullify the Election Commission’s (EC) decision to declare former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Mohamad Hasan as the winner of the Rantau state seat.

The court held that Streram was prevented from submitting his nomination papers during the May 9 general election.

When asked if the party would allow Streram to contest, Anwar said this would depend on what the party decides.

“We will have to study and ask the party leadership on this matter,” he said.

PKR’s Zuraida Kamaruddin had yesterday indicated her opposition to Streram being fielded again.

Instead, she proposed that a woman contest the seat.

Streram has since dismissed the call by Zuraida and has insisted that he stand in Rantau as he has been on the ground there for the past two years and knows the voters well.