PSM backs Harapan over BN, but rejects 'spoiler' accusation

GE 14 | PSM central committee member S Arutchelvan (above) has expressed support for a Pakatan Harapan government.

He said although the opposition coalition had snubbed PSM, the socialist party would never throw its weight behind BN.

"We will never support BN.

"Even at the national level, people are demanding change, to change the government...So in that sense, we are quite clear," he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Arutchelvan also revealed that PSM is campaigning for Harapan candidates in the seats which it is not contesting.

Quizzed on the party, which is contesting four parliament and 12 state seats, being regarded as a spoiler by Harapan supporters, the PSM leader said the label was unfair.

He pointed out that its candidates have been serving in their respective areas.

"To say we are being spoilers is unfair. Actually, 100 percent of PSM seats are being spoiled," he argued.

Citing the Cameron Highlands and Sungai Siput parliament seats as examples, Arutchelvan said PSM had requested Harapan to refrain from contesting so that its candidates can take on BN.

PSM's sole incumbent lawmaker Dr Michael Jeyakumar, who was also present at the press conference, said Harapan never consulted his party on seat negotiations for the 14th general election.

"So wherever we stand, we will be seen as spoilers.

"We have been asking for negotiations since two years ago. We don't like three-cornered contests as well but to blame us is entirely unfair," Jeyakumar stressed.

Jeyakumar first won the Sungai Siput seat in the 2008 general election by defeating its long-term MP and former MIC president S Samy Vellu. He retained the seat in the last national polls.

Meanwhile, PSM secretary-general A Sivarajan said the party would support Harapan to form the government in Selangor if it finds itself in a position to do so."That alliance is very clear for us. That is what we will do," he told the same press conference.

He said this when asked to respond to a hypothetical scenario of a hung state-assembly in Selangor after the 14th general election and PSM finds itself to be in the "kingmaker" position.

Four of the 12 state seats which PSM would contest are located in Selangor. These are Semenyih, Kota Damansara, Kota Kemuning (previously Sri Muda) and Pelabuhan Klang. - Mkini