Human rights lawyer Siti Kasim has announced that she will contest as an independent candidate in the Batu parliamentary seat in the next general election.
She is one of the candidates unveiled by Gerak Independent in a press conference today.
The political reform group also announced four other candidates including activist KJ John (for Petaling Jaya), former journalist Charles CJ Chow (Subang Jaya), Wangsa Maju resident Raveentheran Suntheralingam (Wangsa Maju) and Sabah-based lawyer Roland Cheng (Kota Kinabalu).
There are all seats currently held by opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan - three were won by PKR and two by DAP in the last general election.
Siti said Gerak Independent has identified 15 seats but it will contest in less than 10.
She stressed the importance of being elected into Parliament in order to change the country.
"Why is it that they (civil society groups) fight for these issues but nothing has changed? Or there’s only been a little change despite them making a lot of presentations to the government, meeting with ministers, being involved in roundtable discussions, and all that. Why?
"Because only Parliament can change the policies and laws that are being implemented," Siti was quoted as saying by The Malaysian Insight.
"This is why I keep saying, if you want change in Malaysia, you have to have good people in Parliament then only will you get good policies," the activist added.
Tawfik Ismail undecided on seat
Meanwhile, former Sungai Benut MP Tawfik Ismail was quoted by The Star as saying he is still undecided which constituency to contest.
"I could contest in Pontian or Simpang Renggam, which was my former constituency of Sungai Benut.
"I could also contest in Mersing, Pagoh, Ampang or Langkawi," said Tawfik, who is also the son of former deputy prime minister Ismail Abdul Rahman. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.