KUALA LUMPUR (March 12): Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today PH has no plan to swap out its candidate Dr S. Streram for the upcoming Rantau by-election this April 13 despite news on his alleged debt.

Dr Mahathir told reporters today at the Parliament lobby that having debt does not prohibit a candidate from contesting in an election unless the individual is bankrupt.

"The debt issue with Rantau candidate, if it is against the law, we will not assign him to contest the by-election. Having debts is okay to be the candidate, unless he is bankrupt," Dr Mahathir said.

Dr Streram, who is Rembau PKR deputy chief, said he has repaid the debt in full.

Bernama, quoting Dr Streram, reported on Sunday (March 10), he did not rule out the possibility that the allegation that he has failed to repay his debt was made in connection with the upcoming Rantau state by-election.

Dr Streram was quoted as saying he had repaid the debt in full to Segamat Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Dr R. Santhara Kumar, and all the relevant documents and proof of payment had been submitted to party leadership after the issue was raised at its internal meeting.