With reference to Dr Peter Jesudasan's letter titled 'PSM should not expect help from DAP', I would like to give my views as I have been going to Sungai Siput and monitored the situation there.

Firstly, it is grave mistake to assume that PSM's support in Sungai Siput is only from the Indian community. Having been to their service centre, it is clear that PSM has worked with various communities in Sungai Siput, from the plantation community, urban settlers, farmers who are mostly Chinese, to residential and the orang asli communities.

PSM's involvement in various issues and support from non-Indian communities is the reason why incumbent MP and MIC president S Samy Vellu feels threatened by Dr Jeyakumar and PSM. If it is only the Indian community, then why should Samy be threatened after all? He will be able to garner the votes of the Indian community through influence and intimidation, as mentioned by the writer.

So it is obvious that PSM has good support from all communities in Sungai Siput through its consistent grassroots work. It is incorrect to say that PSM's appeal and constituency is with the Indian community only.

Furthermore, it is DAP who is talking like it owns Sungai Siput. Since the last election, PSM has established a service centre in Sungai Siput. Party members have actually been involved in local issues and worked with communities for more than 10 years.

In fact, most DAP grassroots members in Sungai Siput really admire the work done by Dr Jeyakumar and his team. If prestige and track record itself is sufficient to ensure victory, then DAP should have won all its seats based on that.

In the last elections, even giants like Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh were defeated. If DAP's track record and prestige will enhance PSM's chances in the last election, then why can't it help hardcore DAP leaders to win?

The seat requested by PSM are definitely not safe seats. The sole reason PSM is standing in this area is because of the work it has done, and is able to field the best candidates. DAP should start looking at PSM as a worthwhile partner rather an enemy.

Thirdly, it is rather unbecoming of Jesudason to say that PSM members are contesting in the elections for personal glory. PSM members have been doing grassroots work for over 10 years in various areas, namely Perak, Kajang, Subang, Klang, Kedah and Negeri Sembilan.

Until today, whoever had a chance to work with them will tell you that PSM members are sincere, committed, and will actually put the people before their own self.

They are not a party who has suddenly become active during the elections, or just release press statements for the sake of proving that the party is still alive. PSM is a party that believes in the people's rights and actually works for it. This can be seen in PSM's track record and in the work its members are doing until today.

Fourthly, it is unbecoming to say that PSM and DAP have the same ideology.

Claiming to be a socialist is one thing, practising it is another. PSM practises socialist principles - that is the difference. People who understand ideology will definitely know the difference between PSM and DAP, and I would not go further on this.

DAP has argued that it needs the Jalong seat because of the race/ethnic factor. That itself speaks for its ideology and its stand.

Lastly, PSM is not expecting a helping hand from anyone. PSM is saying that they have worked in Sungai Siput so they would want to be given a chance to contest there as they are the best candidate for both the seats.