THE Justice Alliance, a loose pact made up of former Malacca DAP leaders, said it was ready to put its candidates up for the upcoming state polls if the voters want it.

Former Kota Melaka MP Sim Tong Him, who formed the Justice Alliance with three former DAP state assemblymen, said they were waiting to see if it was necessary to contest in the November 20 election.

The alliance contested in the last general election but without success.

“We do not rule out that we will go into battle. We need a reason and purpose for participating in the election. If we stand up, what do we want to defend?

“What kind of speeches to promote, and then, taking into account our resources, how many state seats can be contested within our capacity,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

He said they were currently collecting opinions from voters and supporters.

“There is still time to decide, as the nomination is only on November 8, and it remains to be decided whether or not to go into battle again,” he said.

He also said that voters may vote against the established parties to vent their frustrations, thus allowing “outsiders” like Justice Alliance to make inroads.

“This time, voters can express their dissatisfaction with the political situation by voting for a third power, and vent their dissatisfaction with the culture of party-hopping.

“These elected MPs have betrayed their voters. Can the voters teach them through their votes?” Sim said.

Former Duyong assemblyperson Goh Leong San, also part of the Justice Alliance, told The Malaysian Insight that they were still in discussion on their participation.

“As long as we can protect the interests of the people, we will do it,” he said.

“It is too early to say (deciding on the election) at the moment. We are already living a comfortable life and we don’t have to defend politics from nine to five,” Goh said.

However, he said that he will still consider it as long as voters want the alliance to defend the interests of the people, and to correct political deviations.

“We hope to use votes to correct the current unhealthy political trends. Unfortunately, our manpower is weak,” Goh said.

Unhappy with DAP

Sim said the arrangement of the Justice Alliance was not complicated and did not require political alliances over the distribution of seats.

After a decision is made before the nomination day, their participation could be announced the next day.

“I believe that independent contestants will come forward in the Malacca election. Whether we need to join in the fun again, whether the people need our third force, we will first observe.”

Sim reiterated that Justice Alliance’s ultimate goal of standing up for the election is for the good of Malacca and its people.

In the 14th general election, Sim and Goh, former Bachang assemblyman Lim Jak Wong and former Kesidang state assemblyman Chin Choon Seong withdrew from DAP and formed the Justice Alliance to compete in one parliamentary and four state seats, as four independents.

Sim contested in the Kota Laksamana state seat whereas Goh went for both parliamentary (Kota Melaka) and state seat (Kesidang). Lim and Chin contested the Ayer Keroh and Bandar Hilir state seats respectively.

They lost in all seats.

Sim explained that in GE14, he and his colleagues withdrew from the DAP because they were discouraged by the DAP’s hegemony at that time.

Polling for the Malacca election has been set for November 20, with nomination day fixed for November 8. Early voting will be held on November 16.

The Election Commission said 495,196 voters are eligible to vote.

The state legislative assembly was dissolved on October 4 after four representatives withdrew their support for Chief Minister Sulaiman Md Ali.

The four former assemblymen were Idris Haron (Sg Udang- Barisan Nasional), Nor Azman Hassan (Pantai Kundor-BN), Norhizam Hassan Baktee (Pengkalan Batu-Ind) and Noor Effandi Ahmad (Telok Mas-Bersatu). – October 26, 2021.