KUALA LUMPUR: The Gerak Independent (GI) movement is targeting to contest in 10 seats in the 15th General Election.

       The group confirmed it will contest in Batu, Wangsa Maju, Petaling Jaya, Subang and Kota Kinabalu –constituencies that are currently under Pakatan Harapan.

       Lawyer Siti Kasim and Umno’s former Sungai Benut MP Tawfik Ismail are among 10 personalities who will be fielded.

       Siti, who has chosen to stand in Batu, said the movement is not against any party but instead is inviting voters to choose representatives who are independent.

       “We are not against any political party, but these seats we have chosen to contest are non-performing areas,” she said.

       “As MPs, they should be pushing for more legislation but we have seen how representatives eventually have to follow their political bosses.

       “The public should give a chance to new faces and vote for independents like us,” said Siti at a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

       Siti, who is known for her activism, said she is motivated to participate in an election as she feels there are limitations of being in a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

       “In my 10 years of activism, I have seen little changes even though Malaysia has many good NGOs.

       “These NGOs present a lot of proposals to the government but it has not resulted in much change,” she said.

       “This is because only in Parliament you can change policies and the law.

       “You want to bring change in Malaysia, you need good representatives in Parliament, and only then can you have good policies and law.

       “I have no ambition to be a politician but this is the only way to bring about change,” said Siti.

       Activist Ravee Suntharelingam will contest in Wangsa Maju, former public servant KJ John will stand in Petaling Jaya while retired corporate lawyer Charles Chow will contest in Subang.

       Sabah-based lawyer Roland Cheng will contest in the Kota Kinabalu seat.

       Tawfik, who is the son of Malaysia’s second deputy prime minister Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, is still undecided on where to contest.

       “I could contest in Pontian or Simpang Renggam, which was in my former constituency of Sungai Benut. I could also contest in Mersing, Pagoh, Ampang or Langkawi,” said Tawfik.

       The other constituencies that GI are targeting include Segamat, Tebrau, Batu Pahat, Bandar Tun Razak, Sandakan, Batu Sapi and Gombak.

       On whether GI will team up with other political parties, Siti said the group is open to working with “like-minded” entities – but it will remain independent.