‘PSM the better choice for Jelapang’

The socialist party says its member Sarasvathy is the 'better candidate' than DAP's in the tussle for Jelapang.

SEMENYIH: Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) said today M Sarasvathy was a “better candidate” for the Jelapang state seat in Perak than the DAP.

PSM secretary-general S Arutchelvan said this today in response to the longstanding tussle between his party and DAP over who should contest the Jelapang seat.

“We think [Sarasvathy] is the better candidate. She was an EO [Emergency Ordinance] detainee and has won an international human rights award from Japan,” Arutchelvan told FMT .

However, he admitted the issue was still unresolved and that PSM would meet with top DAP leadership to “find a solution for Jelapang”.

“We’re trying to meet up with the top leadership to find a solution so there is no three-cornered fight in Jelapang,” he said.

Asked when PSM would meet with DAP top brass, Arutchelvan answered, “as soon as possible”.

The Jelapang state seat was won by DAP in the 2008 general election by Hee Yit Fong before she quit the party to become an Independent BN-friendly representative.

Hee cited her grouses as poor treatment by Ngeh Koo Ham and his cousin Nga Kor Ming (Taiping MP and Pantai Remis assemblyman), which caused her to leave the party. This then led to the collapse of the Pakatan-held Perak government.

In a previous report, Ngeh was quoted as saying: “There is no negotiation going on. I do not know but maybe PSM is appealing to national [leaders], but as far as Perak Pakatan Rakyat is concerned, we have made a very firm decision. We have informed PSM that in solidarity with Pakatan Rakyat, they should not field a candidate [in Jelapang].”

Ngeh, who is Beruas MP and Sitiawan assemblyman, also believed that PSM would be “irrelevant” in a three-cornered fight, taking away about 1,000 votes as before.

“Jelapang is our traditional seat and we do not want PSM to rock the boat as there is only a 50% chance of regaining Perak,” he said.

Ngeh argued that DAP could not afford to give up even a single seat which might make the differences in winning the Silver State in the next general election.

He also questioned Sarasvathy’s ability to win this seat as she had lost her deposit when she first contested Jelapang in 2008.