He said the almost equal number of Malay and non-Malay voters in the constituency augured well for a candidate like Streram.

Rantau’s voters comprise 52% Malays and 48% non-Malays.

The Election Commission is expected to determine the election date at a special meeting tomorrow.

“The past six by-elections after GE14 showed that about 75% to 80% of Chinese and Indian voters, and 30% of Malay voters supported Pakatan Harapan,” the source told FMT.

“Based on this, most are hoping for Streram to stand in Rantau.”

He said Umno and PAS would not play the race card to avoid angering the non-Malays.

However, the negotiations were on-going and a decision is expected this week before the final name is proposed to the PH leadership.

Yesterday, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim said several names had been proposed but no decision had been made.

The Port Dickson MP said the party would discuss the matter in detail at a political bureau meeting today or tomorrow.

In the general election last year, Umno’s acting president Mohamad Hasan won the seat unopposed after Streram, his proposer and seconder were denied entry to the nomination centre on nomination day.

Streram succeeded in getting the Election Court to nullify the result. Last month, the Federal Court affirmed the Election Court’s decision.

Mohamad, who is the former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar, has indicated his readiness to re-contest the seat.

Yesterday, Streram said it was up to the party leadership to decide who would represent PH.

“I am ready to contest but the party is studying the best option to take on Barisan Nasional,” he told FMT.