Former Bkt Selambau assemblyman Arumugam returns

ALOR SETAR: V. Arumugam has returned home from Mumbai where he has been staying for two months, now that the Bukit Selambau by-election is over and will be looking for a new job.

The former Bukit Selambau assemblyman arrived here from Kuala Lumpur and was welcomed by his wife M. Mariaee, 36, and son A. Selan Tiran, seven at the Sultan Abdul Halim Airport in Kepala Batas here at about 3pm Wednesday.

Also at the airport to welcome him was the newly-elected Bukit Selambau assemblyman S. Manikumar and state speaker Datuk Dr Abdul Isa Ismail.

Arumugam said he was sorry that he had to vacate his seat but he had to do so to find a peace of mind.

“I had to escape as some quarters were disturbing me and my family. The police did not take action despite me lodging several reports,” he said.

“I decided to come back today from Mumbai because the by-election has ended and I want to see my family,” he told newsmen here Wednesday.

When asked if he was sorry for letting the people down in his constituency by resigning from the seat, Arumugam said he feared more for his life and that of his family.

Arumugam, who is still a PKR member, said that he was happy that Manikumar had helped to retain the seat for the party.

“I am still the state PKR deputy chairman and Merbok PKR deputy chief, so I still follow what happens in the state,” he said.

When asked of his plans for the future, Arumugam said that he needed to find job to support his family.

He said that he was willing to accept a post with the state government if Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak felt that he could contribute to the state.

Meanwhile, Mariaee when met said that she was happy to be finally reunited with her husband.

“He did call once to inform me that he was safe and told me not to worry,” he said.

However, he did not disclose his whereabouts to me, she said.

Mariaee also said that their son, who is in year one at SK Ibrahim, would continue his schooling at the same school.