RANTAU POLLS | Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun said Pakatan Harapan will probe any claims of sabotage in the Rantau by-election, which saw the ruling coalition suffer a heavy defeat.

"If there are sabotages, we are ready to investigate, but we need proof.

"If our friends can prove it then we will take action against those involved," he told journalists after the conclusion of the by-election tonight.

He said this in response to claims of internal sabotage that allegedly took place during the by-election campaign.

Aminuddin congratulated BN's Mohamad Hasan on his win over Harapan's Dr S Streram, admitting that Rantau was BN's stronghold.

"We knew it would be tough," he said.

However, Aminuddin said he believed Harapan can do better in future.

"Tok Mat's votes did not increase significantly from the 13th general election. We see potential for Harapan to increase its votes in future," he said.

Mohamad won the by-election with a 4,510-vote majority. It was slightly lower than the 4,613-vote majority he won in the 2013 general election.

However, even though there was no contest in Rantau during the 14th general election, BN lost the area at the parliamentary level.

Mohamad succeeded in reverting Rantau to a safe area for BN in this by-election.

The Umno acting president garnered 10,397 votes to Streram's 5,887 while independent candidates R Malar and Mohd Nor Yassin received 83 votes and 79 votes respectively.

Streram: It is an honourable defeat

Meanwhile, Streram congratulated Mohamad on his victory.

"I had not expected this results, I had hoped for the best. However, I accept people's decision.

"To me, it is an honourable defeat because I have given my best to the people of Rantau," he said.

He added that the losing in a contest was better than being barred from being contest altogether.

The Rantau by-election was called after the Federal Court upheld a decision to void Mohamad's walkover in the 14th general election.

This was after the Election Commission's returning officer at the time preventing Streram from filing his nomination papers.

Streram pledged to continue working for the people of Rantau despite the defeat.

"I wish to rest first... but defeat does not mean I should forget the people of Rantau. I will do my best to resolve the issues here," he said.

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