PETALING JAYA: Lawyer and activist Siti Kasim has joined Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM), marking her first move into formal party politics.
Siti, who contested the Batu parliamentary seat as an independent candidate in the 15th general election (GE15), said she had previously stayed out of political parties because she valued the freedom to express her views and act according to her conscience.
She said she decided to join PBM after its leadership agreed to respect her independence.
“I agreed to join PBM because its leadership has agreed to respect that 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.
Siti stressed that joining the party would not prevent her from criticising those in power, including members of her own party.
“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,” she said.
She added that she would continue advocating for the Orang Asli community, constitutional freedoms, equality and marginalised groups in her new role as a PBM member.
During GE15, Siti led a group of independent candidates known as Gerak and contested the Batu parliamentary constituency.
She received 653 votes and lost her election deposit, while PKR’s P Prabakaran retained the seat with a majority of 22,241 votes.
Siti has been a vocal critic of conservative policies and has previously advocated separating religion and government.
In July 2023, police confirmed that improvised explosive devices had been found under her car during a routine vehicle service.
