PN 'underdog' candidate ready to oppose Tok Mat

SEREMBAN - Pas Rembau deputy chairman, Rozmal Malakan, responded to Perikatan Nasional's (PN) challenge against Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan in the Rantau state legislative assembly election by stating that it is ultimately the voters' choice between a 'heavyweight' or 'underdog' candidate.

Rozmal expressed his comfort in being an 'underdog' candidate as it comes with less pressure.

He acknowledged Mohamad's status as a heavyweight candidate but stressed the uncertainty of the current political situation and its future outcomes.

"In our current political situation, we are not sure what will happen in the future.

"This is because it is up to the voters, and I don't feel pressured if I have to face Tok Mat (Mohamad). I would thank the party for giving me the trust instead," Rozmal said during the Negeri Sembilan PN candidate announcement ceremony yesterday.

Mohamad has been the incumbent assemblyman for Rantau since 2004 and served as the Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan from 2004 to 2018.

In the previous GE14, Mohamad was elected unopposed after Dr S Streram failed to submit his nomination form on 5 May 2018.

However, Dr Streram, who was the deputy head of PKR Rembau branch, filed a petition on 23 May 2018 to challenge the Election Commission's decision.

Despite the petition, Mohamad officially retained his position after defeating Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Dr Streram with a majority of 4,510 votes.

In the four-cornered competition during GE14, Mohamad secured 10,397 votes while Dr Streram obtained 5,887 votes.