‘THERE IS REAL POVERTY AMONG THE MALAYS, INDIANS & SOME CHINESE IN RANTAU – BUT WHAT CAN RACIST RHETORIC & RELIGIOUS EXTREMISM DO FOR YOU’: ANWAR REFUSES TO BE ‘HIJACKED’ BY UMNO, PAS – SHAMES MAT HASAN FOR LETTING HIS CONSTITUENTS SUFFER DESPITE BEING THE FORMER MB FOR YEARS

PAKATAN Harapan will not give in to the temptation to field a Malay candidate in Rantau, said PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.

He said the ruling coalition will not be railroaded into playing the race card by the threat of the PAS-Umno tie-up.

“It’s important to remain consistent as a party that represents all (races), which is to protect the poor and the marginalised, where the majority are also the Malays,” Anwar said, after announcing Dr S. Streram as the PKR candidate for the Rantau by-election today.

“Instead of resorting to race, we want to talk about justice. The race card is only used by opportunists and those who have lost as a last resort,” said Anwar.

Anwar was talking about the pressure to field a Malay candidate in the Rantau by-election against Umno acting president Mohamad Hasan, who is expected to be fielded for Barisan Nasional.

The voters in Rantau are 53% Malay, 27% Indian and 19% Chinese.

He said the by-election is a chance for PH to highlight the real poverty that exists in the area despite it being the former menteri besar’s seat.

Mohamad was formerly the Negri Sembilan MB and is the Rantau assemblyman of three terms.

“There is real poverty among Malays, Indians and some Chinese in Rantau. And it is more important for us to present our case to Malaysians then allow our struggle be derailed or hijacked by racists,” said Anwar.

He said that Pakatan is expecting a tough fight in Rantau as it is an Umno seat and the candidate is the acting Umno president.

“We know that the race card will be played against our candidate. But we will mobilise our machinery from Sabah and Sarawak to help him in Rantau,” said Anwar.

Mohamad won uncontested in Rantau during the last elections after Dr Streram was prevented by the returning officer from filing his nomination form.

Following Dr Streram’s petition, the Election Court decided to call for a by-election.

Nomination is set for March 30 while polling is on April 13.

In GE13, Mohamad won the Rantau seat by 4,613 votes, defeating PKR’s Aisah Lamsah. - Mkini