Negotiations Still Going On For The Sungai Siput Seat Candidate Anwar

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Pakatan Harapan is still negotiating on who to field for the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat in the 15th general election (GE15), its chairperson Anwar Ibrahim said today.
"For now, the PKR candidate remains. But negotiations at the committee level are still ongoing.
"(The decision) is yet to reach me. I have delegated the task to my colleagues in the coalition," the PKR president told a press conference in Manjoi, Perak, today.
Anwar was commenting on the talks between Harapan and PSM regarding the parliamentary seat.
For the record, former MIC president S Samy Vellu served as Sungai Siput MP for eight terms from September 1974, until he lost to PSM chairperson Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj in March 2008.
Jeyakumar defended the seat in the 2013 general election but lost to PKR's S Kevasan in 2018.
Dr Michael Jeyakumar DevarajWhoever's chosen to contest in the seat would face off with MIC president SA Vigneswaran.
Harapan had recently said that the coalition will finalise seat negotiations with Muda and PSM, with which it has electoral pacts, this coming Saturday.
'Jeyakumar may get the chance'
Meanwhile, a source told Malaysiakini that Jeyakumar will highly likely be given the chance to contest in Sungai Siput, while Kesavan would be shifted to the Hutan Melintang state constituency.
"If Harapan forms the government in Perak and Kesavan wins in Hutan Melintang, he would be given a state exco member's position.
"This is a 'win-win' suggestion for all the parties involved. However, the final decision will be taken by the Harapan leadership," the source said.
According to Reformasi Rakyat Malaysia (Rapat), a coalition of Indian NGOs, Jeyakumar is Harapan's best bet in Sungai Siput.
Rapat' hairperson Rajaretinam ArmugganThis is because Jeyakumar had done an excellent job in the constituency during his stint, and the people missed him, said Rapat's chairperson Rajaretinam Armuggan.
"It is time Harapan considered fielding Jeyakumar in Sungai Siput again, if the coalition wants to retain the seat.
"The incumbent MP Kesavan is embroiled in several scandals that would enable MIC/BN to create a nightmare for Harapan. 
"Maybe Kesavan can be considered for other seats in Kedah, Selangor or Perak," Rajaretinam told Malaysiakini, referring to the sexual harassment allegations made against Kesavan by his former aide, R Indrani.
In 2019, the duo reportedly lodged police reports against each other. While Indrani claimed she was a victim of Kesavan's sexual harassment since 2018, Kesavan claimed that Indrani was causing him mental torture and trauma.
The case is still being heard in the Court of Appeal.
Rajaretinam also suggested that Harapan shares the 52 parliamentary seats and about 120 state seats left behind by Bersatu, following the party's departure from the coalition, with Muda and PSM since both these parties could "add value" to Harapan. - Mkini

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