Instead, the Pandan PKR chief stressed that Dr Streram Sinnasamy is the best candidate for the seat.

“No, I have said specifically before the GE14 (14th general election) that I do not wish to take active part for at least two years and I think the party understood that,” he told reporters at the 2018 PKR National Congress here.

Rafizi said this in response to speculation that he would become a PKR candidate for the Rantau seat after the Election Court in Seremban yesterday declared Mohamad Hasan’s victory in the Rantau state seat in GE14 as null and void and that a by-election should be held immediately.

Mohamad, who is Umno deputy president, was declared the winner after PKR candidate Streram was denied entry to submit his nomination form on April 28 because he had no pass issued by the Election Commission.

At the event earlier, PKR president-elect Anwar Ibrahim also confirmed Rafizi’s name had been brought up as a possible candidate for the Rantau state by-election.

Rafizi said Streram’s efforts in filing a petition against the EC’s decision, proved that the doctor was most qualified to become a candidate for the seat.

“He has worked so hard on the ground. He knocked on most of the doors in Rantau.

“So, the best candidate is Dr Streram. I think that should not be the subject of discussion again,” he added.