Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj

Yang Berhormat Dr.
Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj
MP
Member of the Malaysian Parliament
for Sungai Siput, Perak
Incumbent
Assumed office
8 March 2008
Preceded by Samy Vellu
Personal details
Born March 28, 1955
Johor, Federation of Malaya (now Malaysia)
Political party Socialist Party of Malaysia
Occupation Politician
Profession Medical doctor

Dr. Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj (born 28 March 1955) is a Malaysian politician and is the current member of the Parliament of Malaysia for the Sungai Siput constituency in Perak.[1]

Jeyakumar is a member of the Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) but was elected to Parliament on the ticket of the People's Justice Party in the Pakatan Rakyat opposition coalition.[2] His win in the 2008 general election unseated the long-serving President of the Malaysian Indian Congress, Samy Vellu.[3] Vellu defeated Jeyakumar in Sungai Siput in the 1999 and 2004 general elections.[2]

Jeyakumar also practices as a medical doctor.[4]

In the run-up to Bersih 2.0 rally for electoral reform in Malaysia, Jeyakumar and other PSM members were arrested in June 2011, accused of trying to wage war against the king and revive Communism. In July 2011, he was arrested under the Emergency Ordinance, which allows for indefinite detention without trial. He remained in solitary confinement until July 2011, spending a total of 28 days in detention. Jeyakumar credits his release to a the support of the people.[5]

Election results

Parliament of Malaysia: P62 Sungai Siput, Perak[6][7]
Year Opposition Votes Pct Government Votes Pct
1999 Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj (DAP) 12,221 39% Samy Vellu (MIC) 17,480 56%
2004 Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj (PKR) 8,562 28% Samy Vellu (MIC) 18,797 61%
2008 Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj (PKR) 16,458 50% Samy Vellu (MIC) 14,637 44%
2013 Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj (PKR) 21,593 51.94% Devamany S. Krishnasamy (MIC) 18,800 45.22%

References

  1. ↑ "Micheal Jeyakumar Devaraj, Y.B. Dr." (in Malay). Parliament of Malaysia. Retrieved 27 June 2010.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Looi, Elizabeth (2 December 2008). "Sungai Siput is a PKR seat". The Nut Graph. Retrieved 27 June 2010.
  3. ↑ "Not so happy birthday for Samy". The Star (Star Publications). 9 March 2008. Retrieved 27 June 2010.
  4. ↑ "Taste for reggae". The Star (Star Publications). 11 April 2008. Retrieved 27 June 2010.
  5. ↑ "Jeyakumar: Detention was horrible". Free Malaysia Today. 11 April 2011. Archived from the original on 10 November 2011. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  6. ↑ "Keputusan Pilihan Raya Umum Parlimen/Dewan Undangan Negeri". Election Commission of Malaysia. Retrieved 27 June 2010. Percentage figures based on total turnout.
  7. ↑ "Keputusan Pilihan Raya Umum Parlimen 2013" (in Malay). Election Commission of Malaysia. Retrieved 6 May 2013.