KUALA KUBU BAHARU – Former Penang deputy chief minister II, P. Ramasamy, is adamant that his current campaign against Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the Kuala Kubu Baharu poll is not motivated by revenge but rather by a desire to reveal what he perceives as the coalition’s hypocrisy.
Speaking to Scoop, Ramasamy stressed that his aim is to prevent alleged misperceptions about PH and its component parties, particularly DAP and PKR, being viewed as bastions of virtue and unity when, according to him, they fail to uphold their multiracial identity.
As chairperson of the United for the Rights of Malaysians Party (Urimai), Ramasamy pointed out that while some Malays and Indians are members of DAP, they are merely “window dressing” without actual influence within the party.
“The whole idea of being a multiracial party is fake. In the end (for DAP), it is (about) Chinese dominance, so they cannot hide (behind) the facade of being multiracial. Same goes to PKR, which is trying to become Umno.
“(My efforts) are not based on revenge, I just want to expose the fakeness of PH, DAP, and PKR. They have not been fair, or true to themselves.”
Last week, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke characterised Ramasamy as lacking direction and being vindictive over DAP’s decision not to field him as a candidate for the Penang state polls last year.
Ramasamy also dismissed the notion that he should be grateful to DAP for his political roles, citing his previous career in academia in Singapore.
Recently, Scoop reported on several Indian voters in Kuala Kubu Baharu taking issue with Ramasamy’s call to vote against PH in the poll.
He clarified that he did not advocate for a boycott of the upcoming by-election but rather advised against voting for what he termed the “fictitious” PH, expressing his acceptance of votes for any other candidate.
Asked about the timing of his campaign, Ramasamy said that he has been raising these concerns for years, even predating the state polls last year, which he believes led to DAP’s attempts to remove him.
Other leaders who have criticised Ramasamy include Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, PKR deputy information chief Datuk R. Ramanan, and Jelutong MP R.S.N. Rayer.
The Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election on Saturday will witness a four-cornered contest between PH-DAP’s Pang, Khairul Azhari Saut (Perikatan Nasional), Hafizah Zainudin (Parti Rakyat Malaysia) and Nyau Ke Xin (independent).
Lee Kee Hiong had held the seat for DAP since winning it in 2013, until her death in March due to ovarian cancer, which prompted the by-election. – May 7, 2024