Arul declares assets including 'priceless' bike, dares rivals to follow

STATE POLLS | PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan has challenged his opponents in the race for the Kajang seat in Selangor to declare their assets.

In a video titled “Asset Declaration - Nothing to Hide”, he said declaring assets is important because it would show that the candidate is honest.

“PSM has practised this every time we stand for election so that the public can monitor their candidates.

“Some people do asset declarations because the government forces them to. But PSM is the only party which voluntarily declares assets before an election,” Arutchelvan added.

As for his assets, they amounted to RM324,000. This included a house valued at RM200,000 and a Proton Saga 1.3 with a price tag of RM27,000.

“Of course, there is my favourite Honda EX-5 motorcycle, which was given to me, valued at RM500. But for me, it is priceless,” he said.

PSM’s candidate for Kajang S Arutchelvan on the campaign trail

Arutchelvan also revealed that he has two bank accounts, including one with Maybank which has more than RM86,000.

“But most of the money in this account is not mine. It belongs to ‘Tabung Bantuan Rakyat’ which I declare annually during the annual general meeting,” he added.

Arutchelvan said the other account with Bank Simpanan Nasional has a balance of RM2,752 which belongs to him.

“I am not working under somebody… (I’m) paid by my wife. She contributes RM2,000 monthly for my activism work. So that’s about it.

“We are now challenging the other two candidates in Kajang to declare their assets,” he added.

Arutchelvan will be facing Pakatan Harapan’s David Cheong and Perikatan Nasional’s Liew Sin Kim in the battle for Kajang.

PKR has controlled the seat since 2008.

Ambiga: He is relentless and persistent

Last week, Arutchelvan made a pledge not to use race when campaigning, saying that PSM’s focus is on social class as opposed to skin colour.

“I will not play on racial issues to gain votes or support from the people. I will refrain from using any racial elements in all election campaign activities.

“Our targeted groups for the manifesto and our endeavours are the oppressed communities, regardless of their racial background," he was quoted as saying.

In a separate video, former Bersih chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan (above) also wished Arutchelvan the best.

“I have known Arul for the longest time. I really got to know him well during the Bersih days. I remember standing outside Bukit Aman (federal police headquarters), where he would come faithfully every night holding a vigil…

“He was relentless and persistent. And he does not let something go when he believes in it strongly. He is fearless. He will fight if there is a cause to fight for. And he will fight even more if you are poor and downtrodden,” she said. - Mkini