PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has urged all quarters to use proper channels amid party grassroots objecting to Dr S Streram (above) as PKR's candidate for the possible Rantau by-election.

"It's okay, the division is expressing their views [...] follow the proper channels.

"The division can give their views so can the political bureau and then we will decide," he told journalists after an event at Universiti Malaya in Kuala Lumpur today.

PKR Rembau division chief R Tanggam was reported to be lobbying for Rembau PKR Wanita chief A Bathmavathy - who is also his wife - to be fielded instead of Dr S Streram who was the party's candidate in GE14, according to The Star.

The report said Tanggam opposed expected plans by the party to field Streram on grounds that the latter is not a local resident.  

Tanggam reportedly said that during a meeting on Wednesday that a majority of the party members had agreed that a local, and preferably a woman, should be fielded for the Rantau seat, located under the Rembau parliamentary seat.

"Our top choice is division Wanita chief A Bathmavathy, a local from Sendayan.

"Being the state PKR deputy Wanita head, she fulfils the criteria for a winnable candidate," he said.

Tanggam said the division would also propose Bathmavathy since no woman candidate was selected by PKR Negeri Sembilan to contest in the May 9 general election.

Five names submitted

Aside from his wife, Tanggam said the PKR Rembau division had also proposed him as one of their five shortlisted candidates submitted to the PKR headquarters for a final decision.

Streram had previously dismissed Tanggam's reported claims of his lack of support in the area, alleging instead it was a tactic to secure the position either for himself or Bathmavathy.

With several names already listed as potential candidates for the Rantau by-election, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim had told members at the party's national congress last weekend that Streram's claim to contest the seat cannot be ignored.

PKR vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin in her final speech as outgoing PKR Wanita chief had said that she will propose two women candidates to be considered for the seat.

The Election Court in Seremban has ruled on Nov 16 that the Rantau state seat is vacant and a new election must be held.

The seat was won uncontested by former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Mohamad Hasan in the last general election, after Streram was not allowed to submit his nomination papers on April 28.