Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email Rivals say locals left out of development
SUNGAI SIPUT: Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj is taking on Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu for the third time and his theme this time is that locals are being left out of mainstream development. “Samy Vellu has failed the community although there is physical development here,” Dr Jeyakumar said.
Locals are suffering because of the rising cost of living and competition from foreign workers, who are also a strain on the local economy. “Even healthcare costs are a cause of concern.”
He said the recent incidents of Indians taking to the streets were a clear manifestation of poverty among the working class.
“This constituency is a good example of people left out of mainstream development although they are represented by a senior cabinet minister and a community leader,” said Dr Jeyakumar, a protem committee member of the yet-to-be-registered Parti Sosialis Malaysia. He is contesting on a Parti Keadilan Rakyat ticket.
He said voters would send a strong message to the government if Samy Vellu, one of the longest serving cabinet ministers, was defeated.
Independent candidate, Nor Rizan Oon, sang the same tune. He decided to contest as he felt locals were losing out, citing the example of a large tract of land which was alienated to outsiders.
