After PKR refuses to budge on Sg Siput, PSM scraps pact with Harapan

Despite some positive signs earlier about an electoral pact with PSM, it appears that Pakatan Harapan will not make way for the party to reclaim the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat in the upcoming 15th general election.

Harapan chairperson Anwar Ibrahim said the decision was made at a meeting with the coalition’s top brass yesterday.

“It has been decided that Sungai Siput, Tapah and Sembrong are for PKR.

“Hasni (Mohammad) will be contesting in Sembrong, (M) Saraswati in Tapah and (S) Kesavan in Sungai Siput.

“I had the discussion with Rafizi (Ramli), (Anthony) Loke, Steven Sim, Mat (Mohamad) Sabu and Dr (Mohd) Hatta (Ramli),” he told reporters after meeting villagers in Chemor, Perak.

Previously, PSM renewed its call for Harapan to make a decision soon on whether party chairperson Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj can contest in the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat as part of an electoral pact with the coalition.

Its deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan had earlier said the party's chairperson was expected to contest the seat in the national polls.

For the record, Jeyakumar was the Sungai Siput MP for two terms from 2008 to 2018.

In the 2018 general election, he lost the seat to Kesavan.

Upset PSM calls off pact

Arutchelvan said that PSM had just been informed of the snub through an official letter from Harapan dated Oct 30.

"PSM’s minimum request for an electoral pact with Harapan has been totally rejected.

"Without a single seat given, we understand that Harapan does not desire an electoral pact with PSM.

"We regret the matter being informed to us so late in spite of the statement by Rafizi on Friday that certain seats were allocated for PSM and Muda," said a disappointed Arul.

He said that PSM requested an electoral pact with Harapan because it was the desire of members, supporters as well as civil society members that PSM should not stand alone but join a coalition.

"PSM members after evaluating all the existing coalitions - BN, PN, Harapan - decided then to start the process of an electoral pact with Harapan which is seen as the most multiracial and progressive coalition among the three.

"The Harapan negotiation team of MPs Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Sim said that our issues can only be resolved by the presidential council which finally informed us today - six days before nomination, of this disappointing outcome.

"We are disappointed that there was no serious effort made by Harapan to hasten this process or find a way in spite of numerous efforts on our part.

"We would just like to tell our members and supporters that we have tried. The pact is over but not the struggle," added Arutchelvan.

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