Mat Hasan to continue leading Umno even if he loses Rantau

RANTAU POLLS | Umno acting president Mohamad Hasan said a loss in Rantau will not end his political career.

"If I don't suceed in this by-election, it won't impact me to the point that it will kill my career in Umno.

"My career as the acting president and deputy president will continue. Winning and losing is normal, but my duties as the acting president must be continued to strengthen the party," Mohamad told reporters in Rantau today.

The former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar has held the Rantau state seat since 2004. Last year, he won the seat uncontested.

However, the courts invalidated his win. This stemmed from the returning officer's move to block PKR's Dr S Streram from filing his nomination papers in the 2018 general election.

While he has home ground advantage, this is the first time he will contest as part of the opposition after Pakatan Harapan captured both Putrajaya and Negeri Sembilan last year, among others.

Undaunted by the prospect of losing, Mohamad cited the careers of other politicians, including Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who bounced back from losing in the 1969 general election to become a two-time prime minister.

The Rantau by-election is a four-cornered fight between Mohamad, Streram, and independent candidates R Malar and Mohd Nor Yasin.

Polling day is on April 13.