Lawyer and activist Siti Kasim has joined Larry Sng’s Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM), marking her first entry into a political party.
Siti, who contested as an independent candidate in the 15th general election (GE15), said she had previously declined to join political parties because she regarded the freedom to express her views and act according to her conscience as essential.
She said she agreed to join PBM after its leadership agreed to respect her independence.
‘I will remain free to express my views and pursue the causes I believe in. My principles and my voice are not conditions I am prepared to surrender for political membership,’ she said in a Facebook post.
‘Joining a party does not mean giving anyone a free pass. I will continue to speak up against injustice and hold those in power accountable, including those on my own side.’
Siti vows to continue advocacy work
Siti said she would continue advocating for the Orang Asli, constitutional freedoms, equality and marginalised communities as a PBM member.
Her move into party politics comes after she led a group of independent candidates known as Gerak during GE15.
She contested the Batu parliamentary seat in a 10-cornered contest, receiving 653 votes and losing her election deposit. PKR’s P Prabakaran retained the seat with a majority of 22,241 votes.
Siti had previously said she was wary of joining political parties, citing concerns over party loyalty and the freedom of elected representatives and politicians to act according to their convictions.
Longtime critic of conservative policies
Siti has been a vocal critic of conservative policies and has previously raised the issue of separating religion and government.
In July 2023, suspicious objects were discovered under her car while it was being serviced at a workshop in Bangsar.
Police subsequently confirmed that the objects were improvised explosive devices. The devices were found to be real but had not been activated.
Siti’s entry into PBM now marks a new phase in her political involvement, after her previous role as an independent candidate in GE15.
