PKR AGM | Incoming PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has confirmed that Rafizi Ramli was considered as a potential candidate for the Rantau state seat by-election.

"Yes, Rafizi's name was brought up," Anwar said during a press conference at the 13th PKR national congress held at Ideal Convention Centre (IDCC) in Shah Alam today.

He was responding to a question on whether Rafizi would be a good candidate for the by-election.

Earlier, Anwar joked that Rafizi was qualified for more than a state seat, prompting outgoing PKR president and his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to quip that she was also formerly the Kajang state assemblyperson.

Rafizi yesterday denied he will contest in the Rantau by-election and claimed that it was a "lie" spread by those aligned to deputy president Azmin Ali.

He said PKR should field Dr S Streram again for the Rantau seat.

Over the past week, there was talk of Rafizi (photo) being fielded for the seat and that he would replace Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun.

In the last general election, former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Mohamad Hasan had retained the seat uncontested after Streram was not allowed to file his nomination papers on April 28.

However, yesterday morning the Election Court in Seremban had nullified the result, which would trigger a by-election in Rantau.

Meanwhile, Streram urged PKR to consider fielding him again as he had worked hard in the past two and a half years in Rantau.

"I'm definitely interested (to be fielded as candidate) because I have a bond with the people there. My election machinery is already in place," he said.

"I think I am the most likeable candidate," he added.

Later, in his delegate's speech, Streram vowed to deliver another seat in Negeri Sembilan to the state if he were to be chosen as the candidate in the Rantau by-election.

"If I am given a chance by the president, I promise to win the Rantau state seat and we will add one more seat in Negeri Sembilan," he said. 

When met later at the PKR congress, Rafizi said he will not contest even if he is paid RM1 million to do so.

For him to contest in Rantau will be unfair to Streram who had worked so hard in the constituency, he said.

"The best person (to stand at Rantau) is Streram; even if I (were) paid RM1 million to stand (at Rantau), I will not take it," he added.

He described the proposal to field him at Rantau as the "most ridiculous" thing ever made.