This will be his third attempt to dislodge the MIC strongman from the seat after having failed in 1999 and 2004.

In a statement issued today, PSM’s national election committee said it decided that Jeyakumar (right) is the best candidate for a duel with Samy Vellu in the coming general election.

“Jeyakumar is seen as the most serious, laudable and creditable candidate to take on Samy Vellu. The decision to field him again was achieved after many quarters felt that this is the right moment to oust Samy Vellu.

“It is important for the opposition to field a candidate with the capacity to defeat Samy Vellu who has been holding on to the seat for the last 33 years,” said the committee.

Hindraf effect

The MIC president has come under intense pressure following the emergence of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).

The situation reached a critical point when some 30,000 people took to the streets to participate in a rally organised by Hindraf on Dec 15.

While five Hindraf leaders have since been locked up under the Internal Security Act (ISA) after being slapped with a slew of accusations, including having terrorist links, the rally led to a widespread debate on the status of the Indian community in Malaysia.

MIC and its veteran president were also thrust into the limelight as critics blamed the party’s alleged ineffective representation as having contributed to the many woes faced by the community.

Political observers have noted that support for MIC at all levels has been waning and this in turn could translate into a loss of votes. There are also talks of internal splits in the party over this issue.

However, MIC leaders have repeatedly stressed that the party is strong, united and its support base unaffected.

Credible performance

Meanwhile, Jeyakumar, who is also PSM Sungai Siput branch chairperson, had put up a credible performance against Samy Vellu during the 2004 general election. He also contested against Samy Vellu in 1999.

In the three-cornered fight which also involved DAP candidate Samugam Ponmugam, the PSM leader who stood under a PKR ticket garnered 8,562 votes. Samy received 18,797 votes whereas Samugam 2,864.

Sungai Siput has 46,783 registered voters.

Contacted later, PSM pro-tem secretary general S Arutchelvan also reiterated that Jeyakumar is the best man for the job.

He also said that the yet-to-be registered party was still undecided on whether Jeyakumar should stand under a DAP or PKR banner.

However, Arutchelvan said PSM welcomes either option if it means a straight fight between the opposition and Barisan Nasional but in the event of a three-cornered fight, the party would opt for the PKR banner.

“We have an agreement in Selangor to run under the PKR banner. So we want to follow the same understanding in other states too,” he added.

Arutchelvan said he would be contesting for the Semenyih state seat while party pro-tem chairperson Dr Mohd Nasir Hashim will be contesting for the Kota Damansara state seat.

Both the seats are in Selangor and Arutchelvan believes PSM has sufficient grassroots support in these areas.

He also added that the party has reached an understanding with other opposition parties in Selangor and expects an agreement to be finalised in February.

As for the situation in Perak, he said things still “look messy.”