PETALING JAYA: Slamming a PKR leader’s "uncalled for, unethical and immoral" racial slur against Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said he will stand firmly with PSM.
When asked about former Kota Anggerik assemblyman Najwan Halimi’s remarks on PSM and its Meru candidate Sivaranjani Manickam, the Muda chief said it reflected badly on new politics, especially among young leaders.
The Muar MP said he knew Sivaranjani personally while working in the activist scene and they have also recently worked together in a select committee.
He added that Sivaranjani fought passionately for workers especially cleaners and security guards, in that select committee.
"She represented those who were truly underprivileged, those who have been suppressed having their wages and livelihoods taken away from them and you can sense that level of passion and she justified it well, strongly and resoundingly to a point that there was a consensus among the bipartisan MPs in the select committee," he said at a joint press conference with PSM leaders on Saturday (July 15).
"The fact of the matter is, it does not matter which race and religion or even background you come from.
"This country is beautiful because we are united and diversity shouldn’t just be tolerated but celebrated.
"On this front, I stand firmly together with our friend in PSM," he said.
He said the comments on social media also reflected how Sivaranjani worked hard and also the politics of service of PSM in resolving bread and butter issues.
He said Muda was looking forward to working closely with PSM and sharing the ideals with the party.
Najwan, who is Shah Alam PKR deputy chief, had shared a news report on Sivaranjani’s nomination and had also commented that the party was an "Indian estate party."
Najwan has since apologised for the incident.
A screenshot of the remarks in a chat group was also shared by PSM secretary-general Sivarajan Arumugam who went on to call out Najwan on Twitter.
In his apology tweet, Najwan said will be careful with his statements in the future.
"I apologise to all parties who may have been hurt and will be more careful in making any statements in the future," Najwan added.
He also said that such incidents would not be repeated in the future.
