PETALING JAYA: A Malay NGO has called on Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim to pledge his support for Hulu Selangor parliament seat independent candidate Dr R Santhara Kumar.
Malay Development Association’s representative Bakri Harun said PKR’s candidate Khalid Jaafar is already out of the race.
“Khalid has no support at all. Even PKR members are unhappy with him,” he told FMT.
Bakri said that Khalid was fielded in Hulu Selangor just because of his relationship with Anwar.
He added that being a good friend of Anwar is not enough to win over the people in Hulu Selangor.
The Hulu Selangor parliament seat comprises 85,853 voters. Malay voters form the majority with 56.8%, followed by the Chinese and Indians with 23.5% and 17.6% respectively.
MIC’s P Kamalanthan, who is the incumbent, is facing a four-cornered fight. Apart from Santhara and Khalid, there is also another independent in the race, Radzali Mokthar.
Well-liked by all races
Bakri said Santhara, who is better known as Edmund Santhara, stands a better chance than Khalid to wrest back the seat from BN.
“He is a not only famous among Indians but also Malays and Chinese as well,” he added.
Santhara was the founder of Masterskill University College, a leading provider of health science education in Asia-Pacific.
Recently, he resigned from all his positions in Masterskill due to health reason.
“For the betterment of the Hulu Selangor people, we want Anwar to throw his support to Santhara to vote out BN in the election,” said Bakri.
Meanwhile, Sg Choh Indian Welfare Association member S Balasubramaniam said that the majority of Indians are supporting Santhara.
“We support him not because he is an Indian but he is the best chance we have to kick out Kamalanathan,” he added.
Subramaniam also pointed out that a large turn out of Chinese voters at his functions indicated that Santhara can win in Hulu Selangor.
Recently, about 2,000 Chinese voters attended a dinner organised by Santhara in Ulu Yam.
‘It is time to give back’
Contacted later, Santhara insisted that he would not align himself with BN if he wins in the election.
“No. I will never do that mistake,” he told FMT adding that he might consider joining Pakatan Rakyat instead if the coalition makes such a proposal.
“I have no faith in the BN slogan for Indians – ‘Nambikkei’ (trust) or Pakatan’s ‘Urimai’ (rights)… I’m more concentrated on ‘kadamai’ (duty),” he added.
Santhara said that he wished to do something for the poor.
“I was in corporate life for the past 15 years. And now, it’s the time to give something back,” he added.
Asked why he chose Hulu Selangor, Santhara claimed that among the parliament seats located near Kuala Lumpur, Hulu Selangor is the most backward constituency.
“I was born in an estate in Kluang, Johor. And what I see in Hulu Selangor today… the situation reminds me of my estate some 30 years ago,” he said.
Anwar in a ceramah in Hulu Selangor last night urged the voters to back Khalid, saying that Khalid was a loyalist.
