DR Streram Sinnasamy’s political career appeared all but ended in the 14th general election when he was barred by the Election Commission (EC) from entering the nomination centre to contest the Rantau state seat.

The decision resulted in a walkover for Barisan Nasional’s Mohamad Hasan.

But almost a year to the date, Streram will get a second chance at wresting the seat from Mohamad.

Streram, an anaesthesiologist by profession, is aware that he is facing against a veteran Umno politician who has not only been the incumbent for the past 14 years but is well liked by locals.

But he is unfazed in his hopes to be able to serve the people of Rantau as a representative who will fight for them without fear or favour.

Streram, the PKR Rembau deputy chief, has spent much of his medical career volunteering through the Doctors Without Borders programme in Afghanistan and Sudan in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

“I was determined to give my expertise to the best of my abilities as a medical expert to treat as many patients as I could.

“There is nothing more joyous than seeing my Muslim brothers and sisters recover and go back to their families,” Streram told The Malaysian Insight.

Streram said he helped Muslims abroad without a care for their race or religion, a practice he has adopted in Rantau for the past three years.

“As a doctor, when I treat people, I don’t see their race or religion. I have been equal.”

The Rantau by-election on Saturday pits Mohamad against Streram and two independent candidates – R. Malarvizhi and Mohd Nor Yassin.

Below are the excerpts of Streram’s interview with The Malaysian Insight:

TMI: Why did you enter politics when you had a successful career as a doctor?

Streram: I was in politics for the last 30 years, since the 1990s, in the MIC days. Then I came into PKR in 2008 and later was the deputy-treasurer in PKR Selangor and other positions in the party.

But I always worked for the people and the party in the form of its reformasi principles.

I never ran for elections, I was still doing my basic medical practice because that was my bread and butter, so when I was asked to contest in Rantau – I’ve been working in Negri Sembilan for the past 15 years and I’ve got relatives in Rantau – I took the challenge.

It’s a difficult challenge. It’s not because of anything, it’s because I wanted to follow party orders.

TMI: Do you think you would have had a chance to contest in Rantau again if Pakatan Harapan lost GE14?

Streram: If PH had lost, our chances in the courts would have been questionable. Depending on the judges, we may not have had the right to re-contest this election.

TMI: What changes can you make in Rantau if you win?

Streram: I want to solve housing, transport and unemployment issues. Also flood mitigation and education and skills training. All communities here – Malays, Indians and Chinese – are poor, so we must help them all. 

TMI: Do you think the Malays will warm up to you and how do you appeal to them as they make up 55% of the electorate?

Streram: As a doctor, I don’t see the race or religion of the patient when I operate. I don’t think it should be about race and religion. I will help whoever is in need. I have been equal and I have convinced every race to vote for me.

I have been going house to house for three years in the constituency and I know they will accept me. – April 10, 2019.