Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj is a unique man on the local political scene. A medical doctor with no little knowledge of the law and economics, the former Sungai Siput MP has dedicated his life to helping the downtrodden with a socialist model as his guide.

His commitment to his principles and his party PSM meant that he made the difficult decision in 2018 that he would not defend Sungai Siput under the PKR logo, which he had won twice, but that he would contest under PSM’s own flag against a Pakatan Harapan candidate.

He promptly lost the seat that he was wrested from MIC heavyweight and long-time cabinet minister S Samy Vellu.

As he turns 67 this weekend...