PKR, PSM’s jostle for Kota Damansara seat

Selangor PKR chief Azmin Ali has apparently given the green light to a lawyer to campaign in Kota Damansara which is held by PSM.

PETALING JAYA: Parti Sosialis Malaysia’s (PSM) sole state seat in Selangor, Kota Damansara is likely to be taken away from them.

Their ally PKR wants the seat and apparently a lawyer, Razlan Hadri, has been the green light by Selangor PKR chief Azmin Ali to start campaigning in Kota Damansara.

This could stem from the fact that PSM chairman Nasir Hashim won the seat under the PKR banner in 2008. He did so because PSM was only officially recognised by the government recently.

In 2008, Nasir defeated Zein Isma Ismail of Umno. He polled 11,846 to Zein’s 10,771, and won with a majority of 1,075 votes. They were 29,701 voters of which 56% were Malays, 30% Chinese and 14% Indians then.

Nasir is at a loss on why PKR wants the seat.

“We’re friends fighting together against a common enemy. I don’t know why PKR is fussy about us.

“To say that they have an issue with our socialist ideology doesn’t make any sense… we never had any problems for the past five years,” said the 66-year-old founding chairman of PSM.

Razlan resides in Kota Damansara but is more active politically in Subang Jaya. The lawyer is known to be close with Taman Medan state legislative assembly member and deputy speaker Haniza Talha of PKR.

Kota Damansara is one of the three seats under Subang parliament constituency. The other two are Paya Jaras and Bukit Lanjan. The Subang parliamentary seat is held by R Sivarasa of PKR.

Kota Damansara state seat comprises of areas such as Ara Damansara, Subang airport, Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia, two new Chinese Villages, Sungai Buloh army camp and Dataran Sunway. It also has the second largest Malay village – Kampung Melayu Subang.

Currently there are 44,000 voters and the Malays make up 55% of them. There are 35% Chinese and 10% Indians.

PKR unhappy with PSM logo
Sources told FMT that PKR, at the decision making level, are claiming that the people are uncomfortable with PSM’s fist logo. PSM has a red flag with white fist.

There appears to be a lot of pressure from PKR for Nasir to use PKR’s double white crescent logo instead of the white fist.

“We know that they want us to run for elections under their ticket. Why should we when we have our own party with our own logo?

“Putting a PKR candidate here would only create a three corner fight with PSM and PKR going against BN. I am the incumbent. PKR’s presence would serve as a spoiler,” said the white haired, bespectacled Nasir who spots a goatee and walks with the aid of a walking stick.

In relation to this, there has been rumours spread via e-mail that Nasir is suffering from cancer.

“I have only underwent a whole knee cap replacement surgery about two months ago which requires me to use a walking stick. I have been given a clean bill health… no heart problem, cancer, or diabetes,” he said.

When asked whether PSM’s presence would dampen ambitions of certain PKR leaders in the event that Pakatan forms the next federal government, Nasir dismissed the notion.

“Two of us can’t make a dent or any major difference,” said Nasir in reference to his party secretary general S Arutchelvan who is contesting the Semenyih seat.

BN’s choice

Ironically there are attempts by certain PKR members to contest in Semenyih. Aside from the two of them, PSM deputy chairman M Sarasvathy is contesting in Jelapang whereas PSM central committee member Dr D Michael Jeyakumar is Sungai Siput MP.

Nasir gave an assurance that PSM would not be jostling for positions.

“We want to serve and empower people, not jostle for ministerial positions when Pakatan comes into power,” he said.

When asked on the possible opponent from BN, he speculated two names from Umno. There are Megat Firdaus Megat Junid and Halimahton Saadiah Borhan.

BN has not named its candidates in Selangor. Megat Firdouz Megat Junid is former home minister Megat Junid Megat Ayub’s son. He is Umno Youth secretary and BN Youth secretary. Halimahton is the Subang Wanita Umno chief.