PSM to contest in only BN strongholds, not targeting Harapan seats

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) has revealed that it will only be vying for seats in BN strongholds in the upcoming 15th general election, avoiding Pakatan Harapan incumbent seats.

The party will be targeting the state seat of Ayer Kuning in Perak and the Rembau parliamentary seat in Negeri Sembilan.

PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan told reporters at a press conference today that the decision to still contest came after much deliberation within the party’s central committee.

"Even though PSM has failed (in the electoral pact with Pakatan Harapan), we are still taking the stand that we will not join other electoral groups," said Arulchelvan (above), citing examples such as BN and Gerakan Tanah Air, among others.

He added that the party was willing to support candidates from other progressive parties.

PSM will be fielding Negeri Sembilan party state secretary S Tinagaran in Rembau and Perak PSM chairperson K S Bawani for Ayer Kuning.

Ayer Kuning is a BN stronghold, held by outgoing Perak state exco Samsudin Abu Hassan since the 2004 general election.

In the 14th general election in 2018, the Rembau parliamentary seat was won by BN's Khairy Jamaluddin by a majority of 4,364 votes.

Khairy had beaten PKR's Roseli Abdul Gani who received 31,732 votes and Mustafa Dolah (6,028 votes) from PAS.

Further, the party has also decided that it will not clash with Harapan in seats contested by the coalition - to allow Harapan to focus on winning the seats.

This comes after its electoral pact with Harapan fell through - after the coalition did not make way for PSM to reclaim the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat in GE15.

PSM also announced that it will not be contesting the Sungai Siput seat.

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