Indian candidates to break the calm

KUALA LUMPUR: Indian candidates are expected to turn the upcoming Tenang state assembly by-election in Johor into a multi-cornered fight.While Indian social NGO Astivaaram Foundation vice-president R Sri Sanjeev  remained tightlipped over his candidacy, sources within the foundation confirmed that he would be contesting the seat.On the same note, PKR Kluang member S Jeevan told FMT that he might be running for the seat as an independent candidate.

The 39-year-old scrap metal dealer is said to be popular among the Indian community there, especially with those living in the 12 estates located in the Labis parliamentary constituency, which encompasses the Tenang state seat.Twelve percent out of the 14,511 voters in Tenang are Indians, while Malays make up the majority.However, Human Rights Party (HRP) information chief S Jayathas said the party would not be contesting in the by-election.The Indian-based party was founded by Hindraf leader and former Internal Security Act detainee P Uthayakumar.

Grouses falling on deaf ears

Meanwhile, Astivaaram's president G Kumar Amaan would make the announcement on his party's candidate soon."The candidate is not a local boy. He is from Seremban and speaks fluent Tamil, Chinese and Bahasa," Kumar told FMT.The former MIC central working committee member said that Astivaaram would "become a political party within the next six to seven months".

He also did not discount the possibility of joining the Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) or any other coalition that would strive for the people.Kumar was expelled from MIC last year after he called on the party's former president S Samy Vellu to step down. He was also a coordinator of the Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu or GAS movement.GAS was disbanded after Samy Vellu resigned earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Sanjeev said Astivaaram's decision to enter the fray was because the issues raised by the foundation appeared to be falling on deaf ears."We always wanted to to contribute to the Indian community. We raised issues... but no one seems to be bothered. It is as if the government is not bothered with the Indian community," he told FMT.Quizzed on the foundation's chances, Sanjeev said he would leave that to God and the voters.

The Tenang seat fell vacant following the death of its two-term incumbent Sulaiman Taha from Umno on Dec 17.The Election Commission announced this morning that the by-election would be held on Jan 30 while nomination had been fixed for Jan 22.


Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/fmt-english/news/general/14654-indian-candidates-to-break-the-calm