Her name is Kumutha Raman, a 29 year-old law graduate.
(She is seen with Johor Pas commissioner Mahfodz Mohamed.)
This is an unprecedented move in the history of Pas (Parti Islam Se-Malaysia) to field a non-Muslim candidate.
Kumutha will be contesting the Tiram state seat under the Parti Keadilan Rakyat symbol. This is made possible under an electoral pact between the two parties.
She is a member of the one-month old Unity Bureau under the Johor non-Muslim Pas Supporters Club.
Pas is contesting 34 state seats and nine parliamentary seats in Johor.
No second-guessing her chances in this Umno stronghold. In the 2004 general election, Umno's Maulizan Bujang defeated Pas' Roslani Sharif in a straight fight, by a margin of 15,595 votes.
No prizes for the right guess -- but the BN will win again.
In fielding Kumutha, Pas has nothing to lose. It will not win, that's for sure, but it hopes to win the Indian votes, which make up 14.39 per cent in the constituency.
But will the Indians trust an Indian who represents an Islamic party?
Tebrau MIC thinks it is political suicide for her.
Division chief M. Soorianarayanan warned that the Indian community is going to hate her for aligning with the opposition.
I dont think the Indians are going to hate her. I am an Indian myself and i feel hat we hte Samy Vellu even more. PAS is smart. By endorsing Kumutha they are trying to potray a more liberal image and I personally think it will be a good move for all.
ReplyDeleteSurinder Kaur
at least PAS is fielding a non-Muslim Indian. let's wait for the day that DAP fields a Malay :)
ReplyDeleteFor some reason Kak Ena, my heart leaped with joy! I am so happy for Kumutha and PAS of all people is showing the way.
ReplyDeleteAnd Polytikus, maybe thatday will come too...
Nuraina,
ReplyDeleteFully agree that its unprecedented. Under the present circumtances it is worth trying given the high wave of dissent moving across the nation. If she can halve the margin of majority, she can be considered to have won given the might of the ruling coalition.
I wish her success.
Has she said why she supports PAS?
ReplyDeleteI would vote for her. Anything BUT BN is the right party
ReplyDeleteDivision chief M. Soorianarayanan needs to be warned that people hate Samy Vellu even more but he is still running :)
ReplyDeleteDear Polytikus,
ReplyDeleteLooks like we don't have to wait after all. DAP has indeed fielded Malay candidates. For example, the late Ahmad Nor, former national voce chairman of DAP, was the DAP MP for Bayan Baru. So the day actually came long ago.