Independent candidate denies being sponsored by Pejuang

SLIM POLLS | S Santharasekaran who is contesting as an independent candidate in the Slim by-election has denied accusations that he is being sponsored by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's new party Pejuang, to split the non-Malay votes in tomorrow's election.

On the contrary, the 44-year-old former teacher said that contesting for the Slim seat is the first step towards his political aspirations.

"No, I am not sponsored by Pejuang or Mahathir. I am not sponsored by any party.

"I have been told these rumours, they are incorrect," he told Malaysiakini today.

Although Slim has 75 percent of Malay voters, it also comprises 13 percent of Indian voters and 10 percent Chinese voters. 

The accusations centred on Santharasekaran draw after votes from Umno who has BN allies, while Pejuang is an unregistered Malay-first party with no formal coalition ties.

"Actually, I really have the intention to get involved in politics. In fact, I have already registered a party called Parti Rakyat India Malaysia (Prim) on May 29, 2019.

"Prim was registered as a political party soon after Ibrahim Ali's Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra). Now my party has more than 5,000 members throughout Malaysia, most of whom are former civil servants and their family members," he claimed.

Santharasekaran is seen as a surprise candidate after he resigned as a teacher to contest in the by-election.

However, he said that resigning was not the end but a new beginning in his career.

"After I found out that the Slim representative Mohd Khusairi Abdul Talib passed away on July 15, I submitted my resignation letter on July 17.

"So, that is proof that I am not sponsored or paid by anyone. This is my first step in politics.

"I will definitely contest in the next general election. Winning or losing is not important. What is clear is that we need to serve the people," he added.

The Slim by-election was called following the death of its incumbent Khusairi on July 15. Voting is set for Aug 29.

In the 14th general election, BN's Khusairi won with a majority of 2,183 votes defeating Bersatu candidate contesting on a PKR ticket, Mohd Amran Ibrahim, and PAS candidate, Muhammad Zulfadli Zainal.

In this by-election, Santharasekaran is viewed as the makeweight as he is contesting against BN candidate Mohd Zaidi Aziz and independent candidate Amir Khusyairi Mohamad Tanusi who is backed by Pejuang and Pakatan Harapan. - Mkini