Hadi’s outburst affects PSM’s chances
Sungai Siput incumbent Dr Michael Jeyakumar says the PAS president’s remarks will affect Malay votes.
K Pragalath, FMT
Incumbent Sungai Siput MP Dr D Michael Jeyakumar is worried about his chances of winning over the Malay electorate following PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s outburst against PSM.
“We have problems over Hadi’s statement among the Malay voters but it is a non-issue for the non- Malay voters.
“We are taking the bull by the horn by addressing this issue in our ceramah sessions in the Malay areas,” said Jeyakumar whose constituency is made up of 33% Malay voters.
On Monday, Hadi described PSM as a party glorifying communism with photographs of Lenin, Marx and other communist personalities without naming the party.
Hadi said this while explaining the reason for the multiple candidates contesting from Pakatan component parties.
Another issue that affects Jeyakumar’s chances is DAP’s decision in dropping incumbent DAP representative Leong Mee Meng for Loh Sze Yee for the Jalong state seat, which falls under Sungai Siput.
“The Chinese voters are upset with DAP’s decision to drop Lee. They may not turn up to vote or they may vote BN,” he said.
He is however confident that his relationship with the Pakatan components will not impede his chances of retaining Sungai Siput.
“Here we have pragmatism, PAS needs our support to win the Lintang state seat and DAP works with us to retain the Jalong state seat,” said the first term MP.
He said this when asked about the party’s chances of retaining Sungai Siput while the party faces multiple cornered fights in three other state seats.
