Siti Kasim eyes urban seat in GE16 after joining PBM

KUALA LUMPUR – Human rights lawyer and activist Siti Zabedah Kasim has yet to decide which constituency she will contest in the 16th General Election (GE16) after joining Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM), but believes she stands a better chance in an urban seat.

Siti said she had not seriously considered a specific constituency but hoped to contest in an area where voters could understand her message regardless of race.

“I haven't thought about the areas that I'm going to contest. I believe there are people who understand my message, regardless of race.

“I think there are a lot more Malays who understand where I'm coming from, despite what people may think about me.

“Those who have listened to my podcasts actually understand that I'm not against Malays or Islam. I just want a better country for all of us,” she told Sinar Daily.

On her decision to join PBM, Siti said she was attracted to the party because she believed it had little political baggage and shared her vision for Malaysia.

“I know PBM's president, Datuk Larry Sng, had left Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and to me that shows he is principled.

“If you disagree with the party you supported because it is not doing what it is supposed to do and you decide to leave, I see that as a principled thing to do,” she said.

Siti said PBM's platform and identity also resonated with the principles she had advocated throughout her years as an activist.

“They are aligned with my vision of Malaysia. And I like the name, Parti Bangsa Malaysia, because I've always talked about bangsa Malaysia.

“So, I think the name and what it represents are something that I really like,” she added.

PBM today welcomed three new members as part of its leadership renewal, namely Siti, businessman and political commentator Shamsul Saad, and Global Human Rights Federation president S Shashi Kumar.

The move comes as the party seeks to strengthen its leadership and put forward suggestions and ideas for the upcoming national Budget.