SEREMBAN: Parti Orang Asli Malaysia (Asli) will make its electoral debut in the Negri Sembilan state polls, fielding 40-year-old Dayana Dal to contest the Jeram Padang seat.
As of Thursday (July 16), Dayana, who is from the Semelai tribe and a mother of three, will be up against Barisan Nasional incumbent Datuk Mohd Zaidy Abdul Kadir and Pakatan Harapan's G. Manivannan.
"I have decided to contest so I can bring the voice of the Orang Asli to the state assembly.
"Although there are not many Orang Asli voters in the constituency, I believe I will get the support from the other voters," she said after receiving her letter of appointment from Asli president Rashid Ka.
Rashid said the party was confident of doing well despite its defeat in the recent Johor polls where it also made its debut contesting the Endau seat.
"Our decision to run for office stems from the widespread challenges facing the Orang Asli, most notably the ongoing encroachment on our native customary lands across the country.
"If we win, we will work with the state government to resolve issues at the state level," he said.
At the same media conference, Parti Sosialis Malaysia deputy chairman S. Arutchelvan said the party will field 49-year-old S. Tinagaran in Rahang as the party's objective had always been to uplift the working class.
"Although we have been working throughout the state, we have picked Rahang as this is the only place where we have an office in the state.
"Also, our intention is to offer voters an alternative as being a leftist party, we will bring a different narrative compared to the other parties," he said.
Tinagaran, who had unsuccessfully vied for the Rembau parliamentary seat in the last polls, said he hoped to raise issues affecting the common people if elected.
"There are many issues affecting the working class or those from the lower-income group in Rahang which include security guards, cleaners and others.
"PSM has always fought for the wellbeing of these people," he said.
Tinagaran, better known as Cikgu Tina as he runs a tuition centre, will be up against Pakatan Harapan's Rahang incumbent Desmond Siau Meow Kong and Barisan's Yap Siok Moi.
MUDA president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz, who was also present, told reporters the party would stay out of the state polls.
"We have decided to sit out as we want to focus on the next general election.
"But we will activate our election machinery and support both the Asli and PSM candidates," she added.
