Running up to the Rantau by-election

Since the Rantau by-election was confirmed to proceed in February, its media exposure has not been consistent until reaching its peak on March 30. It was the nomination day for the by-election, which also meant its campaigning period officially began.

On the nomination day, supporters from Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional were seen gathered outside the centre, as early as 7 am.

The by-election however, is a four-way contest. One of the two independent candidates, R Malarvizhi had a clothes peg clipped on her mouth during her walkabout after being officially nominated as a candidate.

It was her silent protest against both PH and BN for allegedly disallowing their previous election candidates from speaking.

On April 1, the media was busy again after eleven police reports were lodged over alleged election offences.

BN’s candidate for the state seat Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Hasan now sits at the top of the Rantau by-election influencer chart.

The UMNO acting president previously won the Rantau seat uncontested during GE-14 because the then and now Pakatan’s candidate Dr Streram Sinnasamy was denied entry into the nomination hall and subsequently failed to file his nomination papers.

However, the second influencer who sits between Mohamad and Dr Streram is PKR President Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar is actively campaigning for Dr Streram, speaking about the by-election from Pakatan’s narratives.

The campaigning period for the by-election will end on April 12, before the election takes place on the next day (April 13).