Aminuddin: Any PKR member can offer to contest

SEREMBAN: Any PKR member can offer himself to contest the Rantau seat in the event a by-election is called, says state PKR chief Aminuddin Harun (pic).

“You can offer yourself and start the groundwork to gauge your support,” he said, adding the party was an advocate of democratic practices.

“But once the party leadership decides on the candidate, then every aspirant should accept the decision,” said Aminuddin, who is Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar and state Pakatan Harapan chief.

Last month, the Special Election Court here ruled that a by-election be held after it nullified the outcome of the May 9 voting which saw Umno’s Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan winning the seat unopposed.

Mohamad won unopposed because PKR candidate Dr S. Streram was barred from entering the nomination centre for not having an Election Commission pass.

However, Mohamad is appealing against the court’s decision.

Aminuddin told reporters yesterday that there was no rule that a party division head had priority over others to contest a seat.

“The final decision on who is made a candidate rests with the party’s political bureau.

“No individual can claim that a particular seat should be offered to him or her first,” he said.

Rantau is one of four state seats in the Rembau parliamentary constituency.

Rembau PKR chief R. Tanggam had earlier commented that grassroots members wanted a local to contest in Rantau if a by-election is held.

Tanggam said the majority of the members wanted division Wanita chief A. Bathmavathy, who is from Sendayan in Rantau and who also happens to be his wife, to be picked.

He also pointed out that the party had failed to field any female candidate in the state in the May 9 general election.

Tanggam alleged that Dr Streram did not have majority support as he was an “outsider”.

Aminuddin, when asked whether the jostling for the seat would weaken the party, said no.

“Like anywhere else, there will be some unhappiness on the part of those not picked.

“But this will not affect our chances of wresting the seat,” he said.

You can offer yourself and start the groundwork to g gauge your support. Aminuddin Harun