Dr M: Streram’s not bankrupt, he is free to run
Debt allegations against Pakatan Harapan’s Rantau candidate did not disqualify him from contesting, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Asked about accusations that Dr S Streram had unpaid debts to a PKR colleague, Mahathir said the candidate was never declared a bankrupt and as such retained his right to contest the seat...
Debt allegations against Pakatan Harapan’s Rantau candidate did not disqualify him from contesting, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Asked about accusations that Dr S Streram had unpaid debts to a PKR colleague, Mahathir said the candidate was never declared a bankrupt and as such retained his right to contest the seat.
"The debt issue with the Rantau candidate, if it is against the law, we will not field him to contest the by-election," he told reporters in Parliament.
"Having debts, it is still okay to be the candidate unless he is bankrupt," Mahathir said.
He also said Streram was denied his right to contest in GE14 and Harapan upholds the principle of fairness of allowing a qualified candidate to contest.
"We know that he was defeated through cheating.
"Now, the election result for the seat has been nullified and a by-election is being held to determine the elected representative. So, we field the same person," Mahathir said.
Streram's bid to contest in Rantau in GE14 was blocked after he was prohibited from entering the nomination hall for not possessing the Election Commission-issued pass.
Incumbent Mohamad Hasan, a former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar, retained the seat by default until the Special Election Court in Seremban’s declaration on Feb 18 that his victory was null and void, paving the way for a by-election.
Streram has denied allegations by his PKR colleague, Segamat MP Edmund Santhara, that he owes the latter RM62,000.
In a police report filed by Santhara, which made the rounds on social media, Streram had allegedly borrowed the sum in January last year to help pay for his daughter's college registration fees.
In denying the claims, he alleged that it was an attempt to slander him by some quarters within the party, ahead of the Rantau polls.
PKR president Anwar Ibrahim had yesterday officially announced Streram's candidacy against Mohamad, who is Umno acting president.
When met later, Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali said Streram's main challenge would be to convince voters of his ability to serve.
The PKR deputy president also said the party does not take into account the issue of race when fielding candidates for elections.
"He is a Malaysian, and I believe he will be able to represent all races as an assemblyperson,” Azmin told reporters in Parliament when asked on Harapan's chance amid mounting racial sentiments played up by BN and the new Umno-PAS alliance.
"Well, of course, they will keep harping upon that, since it is a matter of their survival.
"I remain confident the combined energies and election machinery of Harapan parties will put up stiff competition against the opposition in the by-election,” he said.
The Election Commission has set March 30 for nominations in the Rantau by-election. Early voting is on April 8, while polling day falls on April 13.
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