PSM unveils first candidate for Selangor state polls

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) has unveiled its first candidate for the upcoming state polls.

PSM central committee member Sivaranjani Manickam, 42, will be contesting in Meru, Klang.

“Born in Klang and raised for the most part of her life in Port Klang, where she lives with her family, Sivaranjani - also affectionately called Jani - is well placed to serve the people of Meru, having tackled community problems through the PSM Klang branch for over 15 years, which included cases from the Kapar parliamentary constituency, where she is a voter.

“The Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) graduate brings a wealth of experience as a social activist and a deep commitment to championing the rights of ordinary people, particularly on labour rights and grassroots empowerment.

“Sivaranjani has passionately advocated for the rights of the economically poor, especially the often unheard voices of blue-collar workers. She is able to speak from the experience of having helped hundreds of them obtain justice for everyday violations of their rights or discriminatory acts against them,” the party said in a statement.

PSM said Sivaranjani’s work had led to the implementation of the Minimum Wage Act in 2013 and the Employment Insurance System in 2018.

She previously served at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and currently works as a community outreach manager at Asylum Access.

The two-term incumbent for Meru is PKR’s Mohd Fakhrulrazi Mohd Mokhtar, who is not expected to defend his seat.

He won the seat by 9,608 votes in the last election.

Fakhrulrazi first contested the seat under Amanah but exited the party to join PKR in 2020.

Selangor Amanah announced earlier today that it would field a candidate in Meru, alongside candidates in eight other seats for the state elections.  - Mkini