SEREMBAN: Pakatan Harapan will field 40-year-old S. Mugunthan to defend its stronghold of Seremban Jaya in the Aug 1 state election, says Anthony Loke.
The DAP secretary-general said Mugunthan, an electrical and communication engineering graduate, will replace four-term incumbent Datuk P. Gunasekaran.
Loke said 67-year-old Gunasekaran, who is also the state party deputy chief, has decided not to seek re-election.
"We feel that Mugunthan is the right candidate to be fielded in Seremban Jaya as he has served as a special officer to the incumbent previously and is also a research officer to state exco J. Arulkumar,” he said.
Loke said Mugunthan, who is Kg Pasir DAP chief, also had the necessary experience as he was the campaign manager for the Seremban Jaya seat in the last state polls in 2023.
He also thanked Gunasekaren for his contributions to the party.
"The DAP has a policy of not accepting titles while you are still serving in the government but we gave Guna an exemption due to his massive contributions to the party," he said.
Gunasekaren received the Darjah Setia Bakti Negri Sembilan from Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir during the state ruler's 78th birthday in January this year.
Mugunthan, who joined the party in 2012, said he was privileged to be named the candidate for the constituency and that he was familiar with the area.
"I have learnt a lot from Datuk Guna over the years and I hope to continue his legacy in Seremban Jaya," he said.
Gunasekaran, in his speech, said he decided to sit out this time around as he had been contesting in elections since 1995.
"I contested in Rahang in 1995 and 1999 and Bukit Kepayang in 2004 but lost on all occasions.
"The party then moved me to Senawang, which is now Seremban Jaya, in 2008 and I am happy that we managed to win here four times," he said.
In the 2023 election, Gunasekaran defeated Perikatan Nasional's Gary Lee with a 12,703 vote majority.
