PARTI Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) has confirmed it will contest the Semenyih by-election on March 2.

Secretary-general A. Sivarajan, in a statement today, said the party came to the decision after taking into account various factors, including the views of members and supporters, and believes that the people need a “third voice”.

He said PSM will announce its candidate before nomination day on February 16, adding that the party welcomes aid in the form of funds and volunteers to beef up its election machinery.

The polls were called following the death of Pakatan Harapan assemblyman Bakhtiar Mohd Nor, 57, due to a heart attack on January 11.

In the 14th general election, Bakhtiar beat S. Arutchelvan of PSM, Johan Abdul Aziz (Barisan Nasional) and Mad Shahmidur Mat Kosim (PAS) by polling 23,428 votes and winning with a 8,964-vote majority. – Bernama, February 6, 2019.