Better chances with Indian candidate, says PKR division chief

SEREMBAN: Pakatan Harapan must field an Indian candidate in the Rantau by-election, says Rembau PKR division chief R. Tanggam.

He said the candidate should be a local with strong grassroots and voter support.

“We want the central leadership to take note of this and not parachute in a candidate whom they assume will have a better chance of winning,” he said.

Tanggam was asked to comment on talk that Pakatan might field a Malay candidate, following a move by Umno and PAS to formalise ties.

There are 20,472 voters, of which 53% are Malays.

Tanggam brushed aside the speculation, saying that there was no guarantee a Malay candidate would be able to secure the Malay votes as some 46% of voters were non-Malays.

“On the contrary, we will only need between 15% and 20% Malay votes to win if we field an Indian candidate,” he said.

He added that Pakatan lost in Semenyih because the coalition had yet to fulfil some of its election pledges.

Tanggam of Felda Sendayan is said to be one of several candidates being considered.

In Petaling Jaya, PAS has vowed to support Umno, saying that it was a “mandatory obligation” in line with the “ta’awaun siyasi” concept or cooperation towards a common good.

PAS is confident that Tok Mat (Mohamad) will continue to be given the mandate.

“This is based on his excellent service and track record as a former mentri besar.

“We will combine our efforts to ensure a smooth and effective election machinery,” its secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan said in a statement.