Independent Kumar decides against contesting PD by-election

SEREMBAN: Former MIC secretary-general Datuk S Kumar yesterday announced his decision not to contest as an independent candidate in the upcoming Port Dickson parliamentary byelection.

He said the decision was made after discussions with a lawyer and taking into account that the MIC was not fielding a candidate in its traditional seat, previously known as Teluk Kemang, and Umno was also staying away from the byelection.

“Therefore, my candidacy in protest is now academic. I have taken the solemn initiative to go personally to the grassroots in Port Dickson and discovered that there are many woes and issues that the Indian community is facing which need to be resolved.

“Thisrequiresaheavymachinery ... I would kindly request ( PKR president- elect) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to look into this matter seriously,” he said, adding that he would offer his assistance in coordinating on the issues.

Nomination for the by- election is on Saturday and polling, on Oct 13.

Port Dickson MP Datuk Danyal Balagopal Abdullah of PKR vacated the seat on Sept 12 to pave the way for Anwar to return to the Dewan Rakyat.

Danyal Balagopal won the seat in the last general election with a majority of 17,710 votes, defeating Datuk V.S. Mogan of the Barisan Nasional and Mahfuz Roslan of PAS.

This is the fourth by-election since the 14th General Election in May. The three previous by- elections were for the Sungai Kandis, Seri Setia and Balakong state seats, all in Selangor. — Bernama