PETALING JAYA: A David vs Goliath battle is shaping up in the Tapah seat as little-known PKR vice-president K Saraswathy will take on MIC deputy president M Saravanan in the Nov 19 general election.
While Pakatan Harapan (PH) announced the Penang-born lawyer’s candidacy last night, Barisan Nasional (BN) is very likely to name the human resources minister for the seat for the fourth time in as many general elections in a constituency where the number of Indian voters is the least in terms of racial breakdown, less than even the Orang Asli.
Surprisingly, while the first-time election candidate says she is confident of wresting the Malay-majority seat for PH, the three-term MP prefers to consider himself an underdog if BN decides to nominate him to stand in the seat.
“No election is easy these days and I will not underestimate whoever stands against me. But my track record over the three terms as MP is there for everyone to see. Tapah is basically a rural seat and you cannot build a twin tower there.
“However, there are now training schools and a university after I became MP in 2008. I spend time in my constituency on most weekends and carry out programmes that benefit the rakyat. There are no social problems there now,” he told FMT.
The constituency is made up of 28,000 Malay voters, Chinese (14,000), Orang Asli (9,700) and Indians (8,500).
Saravanan claims to know all the households by name although it is a difficult area to traverse with 55 Orang Asli villages and another 40 kampungs. “The terrain in some areas is really tough and we can only reach by motorcycle. And for a newcomer to do this in two weeks will not be easy.
“I welcome any challenge as long as they carry out a healthy campaign and do not hit below the belt,” he said.
Saraswathy, a UK-trained lawyer with a masters degree, said she would focus on fighting money politics and abuse of power and position.
“For example, Saravanan is organising a job carnival in Tapah. Although it is his ministry’s programme, his photos are placed prominently which appears to be a subtle form of campaign. Government funds are being used for election publicity.
“Voters are more mature now and can see through such abuses of power by BN leaders. I am confident that I can fight all odds and wrest the seat for PH,” she told FMT, promising to move to Tapah if elected.
