He said it would also not do justice for PKR hopeful Dr Streram Sinnasamy who was prevented from submitting his nomination papers to contest the state seat in Negeri Sembilan during the May 9 general election.

The Election Commission had subsequently declared former menteri besar Mohamad Hasan, who was the sole candidate, as the winner.

Ramasamy said Streram, like others denied a chance to contest, could have dropped the case and moved on, but had fought tooth and nail by filing the election petition.

The Election Court yesterday ordered fresh polls for the Rantau seat.

“We are all for equal gender representation at all levels of government, but I feel we should not invoke women’s representation to fulfil anyone’s own agenda.

“I don’t know why Zuraida should blurt out such remarks. She should have taken it up to the party level, internally.

“Let the Pakatan Harapan leadership decide. I am sure they won’t overlook Streram’s efforts in going through his tedious effort in court,” the Penang deputy chief minister told FMT.

Zuraida, speaking after the PKR’s women’s wing congress yesterday in Shah Alam, had said Steram should be replaced by a woman candidate since PKR had not fielded any women candidates in Negeri Sembilan.

Mohamad, who is now Umno’s deputy president, will stand again in the race for the seat. PAS has said it will not contest the by-election.