DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook has criticised Dr P. Ramasamy for urging Indian voters to avoid voting for Pakatan Harapan in the forthcoming Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) by-election.
Loke said this demonstrates the former Penang deputy chief minister’s vendetta towards the party for not fielding him in the previous general election, adding that Ramasamy was “directionless” and has no purpose as he did not provide any alternative for Indians to vote in the by-election.
“He is free to say whatever, but I believe that Malaysians are wise enough to judge and the right to vote is the right of every person,” he said to reporters in KKB on Wednesday (May 1).
“If we take a look at his arguments (for Indian voters to boycott PH), he seems directionless and has no purpose. He said to not vote for PH but did not answer when asked who else to vote for.
“What is his alternative? He does not have one and this means that his political activities are driven solely by resentment against DAP and PH as he was not nominated again (to contest in GE15).”
The former Perai assemblyman had previously urged Indian voters in KKB to avoid voting for PH in the forthcoming by-election on May 11 following purported dissatisfaction with the treatment given to the Indian community by the unity government.
Ramasamy, who had since founded Indian-based party Urimai, also stressed that Urimai has no relationship, official or otherwise, with opposition parties, particularly Perikatan Nasional.
According to Loke, the unity government component parties will continuously campaign for the by-election and provide in-depth insights for constituents on the plans to develop the area, moving forward.
“Right now, PH is also the coalition that represents the state legislative assembly (as state government), so the (PH) candidate is a representative of the state government when elected,” he was reported as saying.
“Hence, the representative is focusing on issues in the area and what are the ways that (the candidate) can do to help the people. This is not a question of what to boycott.
“He (Ramasamy) wants to boycott but what is his alternative? So let’s not follow those without direction or else we too will be lost.”
The KKB by-election is being called following the death of its incumbent, Lee Kee Hiong, 58, on March 21 due to cancer.
The Election Commission set May 11 as polling day while early voting is on May 7. – May 1, 2024
Main pic credit: Bernama
