Independent ‘speaks’ about silent protest
SEREMBAN: The sight of R. Malarvizhi distributing her campaign cards during a walkabout session at the Rantau night market, near here, was a rather unique one.
Upon closer look, the former radio deejay had a clothes peg clipped to her lips, and this attracted visitors to her presence.
The 51-year-old, who is one of the candidates in the upcoming Rantau by-election, yesterday launched her silent protest against Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional over her disappointment with the two coalitions for allegedly disallowing their previous election candidates from speaking.
“You didn’t speak up, I didn’t see you,” a seller was heard telling Malarvizhi at the night market yesterday.
Also known as Malar for short, she smiled before proceeding to deliver her cards to the public in her silent effort to introduce herself as an independent candidate for the by-election.
At a press conference held after the walkabout, Malar admitted that putting the clothes peg on her mouth was painful, but she intended to carry on with the protest.
“If it’s too painful, never mind I can still use a tape,” she said.
Malar said she would continue with the protest, not only to express her dissatisfaction but also to get her message across to the public.
“The candidates need to be given the space to speak up because people have the right to listen to their ideas and thoughts.
“If we aren’t allowed to do so, how can the public notice us? Just like when the seller said she couldn’t see me because I didn’t speak up,” she said.
Malar, who will be contesting under the “tree” logo said, her protest, however, would end yesterday and she would launch her manifesto today.
She refused to divulge details on the manifesto, which she only described would be beneficial for the people of Rantau.
Besides featuring her personal information, the campaign card also included her bank account number.
When asked, Malar said she hoped that the public could help fund her by-election campaign.
“I need about RM10,000 for the campaign.
“I will use it for the campaign and will refer to the Election Commission if there’s any balance from the funds once the campaign period ends.”