Tuesday, February 9, 2010

HRP may challenge Nizar in possible Perak elections - Malaysiakini

The Human Rights Party may pose a candidate against former Pakatan Rakyat menteri besar Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin in Pasir Panjang, Perak, should state elections be called.

HRP pro-tem secretary-general P Uthayakumar announced at the Sitiawan Recreation Club over the weekend that the party - the political wing of Hindraf - will also contest in six other seats.

These are Buntong, Hutan Melintang, Jalong, Changkat Jong, Jelapang and Sungkai.

As a result, there will be a likelihood of a three-way contest in these seats. There are 59 state seats in Perak.

The Federal Court will rule tomorrow as to whether to allow Nizar's appeal to challenge Barisan Nasional's Zambry Abd Kadir as the menteri besar.

Nizar has promised to call for state elections to resolve the political imbroglio if he wins. Zambry, however, will continue to lead the silver state if he emerges victorious.

Perak's constitutional crisis has been going on since Feb 6 last year.

Buntong has 46.2 percent Indians

Uthayakumar said it is likely that the HRP may contest, either under its own banner or field Independents.

Of the seven state seats, Buntong has the highest number of Indian voters, comprising 46.2 percent of the electorate.

It is followed by Hutan Melintang (32.1 percent), Jalong (26.7 percent) and Changkat Jong (26 percent)

Jelapang, Pasir Panjang and Sungkai have fewer than 20 percent Indian voters.

Uthayakumar announced the formation of the HRP, which he described as a multiracial party, on July 19 last year.

"We will fight our own cause... we can't count on others to do so for us," he said, adding that Pakatan Rakyat, like Barisan Nasional, is not addressing the needs of marginalised groups.