The resignation of V Arumugam as Kedah state exco and Bukit Selembau assemblyperson has been described as a “sacrifice” for the state government led by Pakatan Rakyat.

PAS Kedah secretary Muhamad Yusof Husin told Malaysiakini that Arumugam’s resignation was caused by more than the threats he has alleged to have received.

Arumugam Vengatarakoo pkr kedah “It is an indication of Arumugam’s unwillingness to let issues in his private life be used as ammunition to destabilise the Pakatan-led government,” he said.

In recent weeks, certain details of his personal life have allegedly been used to force him to step down as an elected representative.

Asked what he thought of Arumugam’s refusal to announce the resignation himself, Muhamad Yusof said: “Probably he was too embarrassed to face the public.”

The resignation, coming after weeks of speculation that he would be giving up politics altogether, was announced yesterday by Kedah Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak.

Although Arumugam has tendered his resignation, Muhamad Yusof believes that the former remains loyal to his party, PKR, and the Kedah government.

Early this month, Arumugan had lodged a police report claiming that there was an attempt to kidnap him and that he and his officers had received numerous threats.

Arumugam in India

It is learnt that Arumugam - who has not been seen since last week - is currently in Chennai, India, with his family. The arrangement, funded by PKR, is for security reasons according to party members.

It is also learnt that the threats against Arumugam were not made by BN or Umno but were from the Indian Malaysians in his former constituency.

Sources claimed that those involved were members of the re-branded Hindu Rights Action Force movement, now known as Makkhal Sakthi or People’s Power.

“They are mad at him because he hasn’t performed as their state representative. That is why he has been receiving threats - not from BN or Umno, the threats are from people in Makkhal Sakthi , ” sources said.

Arumugam contested as an Independent in the last general election. He emerged as candidate at the last minute when the returning officer rejected the nomination papers of Saiful Izham Ramli of PKR on technical grounds.

Arumugam won the Bukit Selambau seat by defeating Barisan Nasional/MIC candidate S Krishnan with a majority of 2,362 votes.

He then joined PKR and was appointed state exco in charge of domestic trade and consumer affairs, Siamese and Indian affairs, unity and plantation workers.