Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan has pledged to defend the Rantau state seat in the by-election which will be held soon.

Mohamad, who has been standing in the seat since 2004, added that he was prepared to face former Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli who was said to be considered by Pakatan Harapan to contest in the by-election.

“It is up to them to nominate their candidate...I am prepared to face anybody.

"Of course I will be going all out (in Rantau by-election)," he told reporters after a meeting between Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Pahang Umno at Pahang Foundation Complex in Kuantan today.

Also present was Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail who is the state Umno liaison committee chairman.

The Rantau by-election is scheduled to be held after the Seremban High Court yesterday nullified Mohamad’s unopposed victory.

Judge Azimah Omar made the decision after the PKR candidate for the state seat, Dr S Streram filed a petition on May 23 to challenge the win by Mohamad who was the former Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan.

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim at the party’s 13th Congress today confirmed Rafizi’s name was raised as a possible candidate for the Rantau by-election.

However, he added that the decision on PH’s candidate from PKR for the by-election was still at the discussion stage.

- Bernama