The youth-based party said it will begin working with PSM at its Ayer Kuning operations room in the near future.

“This decision (by PSM to contest) provides an opportunity for the people to choose an alternative other than the two main coalitions that dominate national politics,” Muda’s political bureau said in a statement today.

“Muda supports efforts to fight for principled politics that are people-centred, especially on issues of cost of living, social justice, housing, the environment, and the rights of workers and marginalised communities.

“Muda is committed to working with political parties that share the aspiration to build a new politics that is more just, progressive, and with integrity.”

It called on voters in Ayer Kuning to choose principled politics and bring real change.

Yesterday, PSM deputy chairman S Arutchelvan said the party’s central committee had decided to support Perak PSM in its bid to contest for the Ayer Kuning state seat in the April 26 by-election.

“We will announce our candidate and launch the main operations room for the by-election on April 8 in Pekan Air Kuning,” he was quoted as saying.

“We decided to compete based on various reasons, including the fact that PSM contested for the seat in the previous general election.”

The by-election is being held following the death of Umno assemblyman Ishsam Shahruddin, 58, from a heart attack after taking part in a football tournament in Penang on Feb 22.

Ishsam, who had been the Tapah Umno chief since 2018, won the seat in the 15th general election in November 2022 with a majority of 2,213 votes in a five-cornered contest.