All’s fair in love and war for married nominees
SEREMBAN: Rembau PKR branch chief R. Tanggam has no problems being pitted against his 45year-old wife, the branch Wanita head, when both their names were nominated as potential candidates for the upcoming Rantau by-election.
Tanggam, 55, said he supported K. Bathmavathi’s nomination by branch members fully.
“The Rembau PKR branch unanimously voted Bathmavathi as one of the prospective candidates besides Dr S. Streram and I.
“I feel that this decision is timely because in the 14th General Election (GE14), PKR did not put any female candidate to contest in Negri Sembilan.
“This is contrary to the party’s constitution, which has outlined that 30 per cent of PKR candidates must be women,” he said.
Tanggam said if the party’s leadership chose Bathmavathi as the candidate for the Rantau byelection, he would not be discouraged and would continue to help the party’s machinery to ensure a PH victory.
“As a Rantau native who has lived in Felda Sendayan for a long time, I hope I will be selected to contest the by-election.
“However, we will respect all decisions made by the party’s leadership,” he said.
Besides Tanggam and Bathmavathi, other names include Rembau PKR branch deputy head Dr S. Streram, lawyer Datuk Hanif Hasan and Rembau PKR branch committee member Saparin Musa.
For Bathmavathi, who is state Wanita PKR deputy head and state Wanita PH chief, said there was no rivalry or tension between her and Tanggam.
“He has been fighting with the party since 1998.
“He is also a local and has the right to be nominated and contest in Rantau.
“I have an equal right to contest.
“I don’t see any issues with our nomination as we have a husband and wife and even daughter holding high positions in the party,” she said.
When asked about the party’s chances of winning the Rantau state seat, an Umno stronghold won by former Negri Sembilan menteri besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan for three consecutive terms, Bathmavathi said she was confident PH could win the seat.
“In politics, anything can happen.
“I’m not afraid to face Tok Mat (Mohamad) although many assume that his influence is strong in Rantau.”
I don’t see any issues with our nomination as we have a husband and wife and even daughter holding high positions in the party. K. BATHMAVATHI Negri Sembilan Wanita PKR deputy head