LAWYER cum activist Siti Kasim hopes to bring her fight for the people to the national level by winning the Batu seat. 

The issues she plans to raise are on the Orang Asli, discrimination against minorities, prosecution against the LGBTQ community, freedom of religion and many others. 

“I want to speak up (in parliament)… the real concerns of the public. There are many issues that need to be raised.”

Siti also said the reason she was contesting in Batu was because she lives on the fringes of the area. 

“Why go to other places that will be harder for me to provide service?

“I have been in Batu for the last 10 years. The people all know me. I was shocked to get so much positive support when I went down to the ground. It felt really heartwarming.” 

“It is because the people know what I have done all these years, which is fighting for the oppressed.”

Batu is seeing a 10-cornered fight with four Independents in the race.

Apart from incumbent P. Prabakaran and former two-term Batu lawmaker Chua Tian Chang, others who are in the race are A. Kohilan Pillay (Barisan Nasional), Azhar Yahya (Perikatan Nasional), Wan Azliana Wan Adnan (Pejuang), Naganathan Pillai (Warisan) and Mohd Zulkifli Abdul Fattah (Parti Rakyat Malaysia).

The Independents are Siti, social media influencer Nur Fathiah Syazwana Shaharudin and social activist Too Cheng Huat.

For the 10-way contest, Siti said she neither feels like an underdog going up against Prabakaran or Chua, nor does she feel that it is a competition. 

“I don’t feel anything going up against the heavyweights as I have a proven track record of championing for the people. So I’m not worried. 

“For me the Batu residents are able to judge for themselves who has the track record… who has fought for the people. 

“The people need someone who can fight and speak up for them. I believe I’m the person for them.”

Siti added the people know what she has done as an lawyer and activist, such as speaking up on religious matters, hudud and other issues politicians deem sensitive. – November 8, 2022.