Will Rantau by-election proved Streram as the deserved state assemblyman?
PKR has announced Dr S. Streram as their candidate to go against Mohamad Hasan (UMNO) for the upcoming Rantau by-election, which was set to commence on April 13.
Previously, in GE-14, Streram was barred from entering the nomination centre to file his nomination paper.
On another note, PAS coincidentally did not send a candidate to contest for Rantau during GE-14.
Nevertheless, the electoral court has ruled out that Mohamad Hasan’s uncontested win in the past general election is null and void. This is because a pass is not required for a candidate to enter the nomination centre.
Before PKR announce Streram candidacy for the by-election, PKR vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin suggested that the party should nominate a woman candidate. In GE-14, zero-woman candidate was field for the seats in Negeri Sembilan despite being a state known for its matriarchy culture (adat perpatih).
However, Streram was selected as Anwar said that it is only right to field Streram because he was the original candidate to contest for the state seat.
Days earlier, Segamat MP Dr Edmund Santhara revealed that Streram still in debt with him, a total of RM62,000. Streram swiftly addressed the matter, stating that he has repay the loan. Overall, the issue doesn’t really matter as a candidate can contest if he is not bankrupt.
Regardless, being field as a candidate is just half of the battle. Streram will be going against a heavyweight, the acting president of UMNO Mohamad Hasan. Rantau is the eight highest Indian voters state seat in Malaysia, with the Indian population at 27%. Will this factor provide an advantage to Streram?