PSM announces youth member as Semenyih candidate

SEMENYIH POLLS | Parti Sosialis Malaysia today announced Youth member Nik Aziz Afiq Abdul as its candidate for the March 2 Semenyih by-election.

The announcement was made by PSM chairperson Nasir Hashim at a press conference in the constituency tonight.

Earlier this month, Malaysiakini reported that the party could be fielding the 25-year-old traditional masseur in the seat.

Also present at the press conference were PSM central committee member and former candidate S Arutchelvan, along with party Youth chief Khalid Ismath.

Speaking at a press conference later, Nik Aziz asked Semenyih voters to give PSM a chance to place its only representative in the state legislative assembly.

"We need a vocal opposition, but what kind of opposition do we want?

"Is it someone who can split the rakyat with racial rhetoric, and tarnished by corruption and scandal?

"Or do we want a principled opposition which has contested in this area three times, and lost, but still has not closed its service centre to serve the rakyat?" he asked, referring to his party.

Nik Aziz pointed out that Selangor needs an opposition which can provide check and balance to Pakatan Harapan lawmakers, who make up more than 90 percent of the state government.

"In the last general election, Harapan won 51 out of 56 state seats. We worry that such absolute power would steer the Selangor state government towards corruption," he added.

The best candidate

Arutchelvan, the PSM election director for the Semenyih polls, said Nik Aziz is a worthy candidate.

He said contrary to the popular belief that socialism is synonymous with the older generation, more youngsters – including Malays – are embracing the system, as they do not agree with the way things are being done at present.

"Nik is a young, handsome candidate, and he is still single," he quipped.

"We in Semenyih are happy to put forward a candidate we think the most worthy to carry the PSM flag."

No hurdle

When asked about his educational background, Nik Aziz, who runs his own traditional massage centre in Semenyih, admitted that he did not complete his Islamic Studies diploma in the Sultan Ismail Petra International Islamic College.

However, he does not see this as a hurdle for him to contest in the upcoming polls.

"I predict a negative impact only when one is not honest with one's academic qualifications. But I'm honest, there is nothing to hide.

"If we look at the last election, of the 17 candidates PSM fielded, there were degree holders, Orang Asli, farmers, lorry drivers, and even activists who are not party members, who we allowed to use our logo to contest.

"PSM is not an elitist party, it encompasses people from all walks of life," he stressed.

The Semenyih by-election was called after its Bersatu incumbent Bakhtiar Mohd Nor of Bersatu died on Jan 11 of a heart attack.

PSM began contesting the seat in the 12th general election with Arutchelvan. He also contested in the 13th and 14th general elections, but lost each time.

For the coming polls, the party is set to face off against Harapan and BN, both of whom are due to announce their candidates tomorrow. 

Activist Kuan Chee Heng has also expressed his interest in contesting as an independent.

Nomination for the by-election takes place on Saturday, and early voting ten days later.

 - Mkini