Streram is expected to face Umno acting president and former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Mohamad Hasan, who won by default in the general election last year.

Streram, the Rembau PKR deputy chairman, is an anesthesiologist by profession.

He was prevented from filing his nomination papers during nomination day for the May 9 polls last year.

He later succeeded in getting the election court to nullify the election result.

The announcement today puts to rest speculation that Streram would not be given another chance to face Mohamad who had held the seat when he was the menteri besar.

Rantau has 20,926 voters, some 27% of whom are Indians, and 21% Chinese.

The by-election is the seventh to be held in the country since last year’s national polls, and will be keenly watched following PH’s defeat in Cameron Highlands and Semenyih.

‘Streram deserves to contest’

Anwar today said Streram was chosen after party leaders took into account all factors, including a resurgent Umno-PAS alliance which has been out to woo Malay votes.

Anwar said the party felt that Streram deserved to contest as he had fought hard to challenge the election result, as well as for his academic credentials and grassroots work.

He said he believed Streram would give a good fight to Mohamad.

“We will work hard. We know it is his fortress and Umno’s fortress,” said Anwar.

Anwar also rubbished criticism against the decision to field an Indian candidate. He said PH always protects the marginalised, the poor, underprivileged and the Malays.

He said Malays and Indians were “actually in real poverty” in Rantau. Also included were “some suburban Chinese”.

“The race card will always be used as the last resort by opportunists or those who are not thinking rationally.”

He said PH “will not allow our struggle to be derailed or hijacked”.