Uthayakumar to stand as independent in polls

(The Star) – Human Rights Party (HRP) secretary-general P. Uthayakumar will contest as an independent candidate in the Kota Raja parliamentary and Seri Andalas state seats in the coming elections.

Uthayakumar, who is also leader of Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), said the decision was made by the Hindraf supreme council members after Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim failed to meet them to discuss issues faced by the Indians.

“We have asked for a meeting with Anwar but never got one. It shows Pakatan Rakyat only wants the votes from the Indians, not their problems.

“Without the Indian voters, Pakatan would not have won the (four) state seats,” he said after addressing a crowd of more than 200 at Padang Chetty yesterday.

Uthayakumar said the purpose of contesting in both the state and parliamentary seats was to fight for the Indian community.

The Kota Raja parliamentary seat is currently held by PAS’ Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud while PKR’s Dr Xavier Jayakumar holds the Seri Andalas state seat.

On what was HRP’s stand on Barisan Nasional and Pakatan, Uthayakumar said: “We won’t support Barisan. As for Pakatan, it is up to the people. You have a choice not to vote.”

He added that the party would field more candidates in two more parliamentary seats and three more state seats in Selangor.

The parliamentary seats that HRP intends to field its candidates are Kuala Selangor and Kelana Jaya while the state seats are Ijok, Bukit Melawati and Seri Setia.

“We have yet to finalise the candidates for these seats. All HRP members contesting in the elections will be independent candidates.

“We hope Pakatan will give way to our candidates as we want to contest directly with Barisan,” Uthayakumar said.

On whether he was expecting the Malays and Chinese to vote for HRP’s candidates, Uthayakumar said he was sure the candidates would get the people’s support.