KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12 — The Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) announced today it will not contest in the Kajang by-election, saying it did not want to cause a vote split.

The political party seen as allied to Pakatan Rakyat also pulled its support for the three-member opposition bloc, and called the poll due on March 23 “ethically wrong”.

“Therefore PSM does not wish to contest in a by-election that we ourselves do not bless,” PSM chairman Dr Mohd Nasir Hashim told reporters here.

“PSM also does not wish to divide the votes,” he added, saying the decision was made during an internal meeting on February 6.

PSM secretary-general S. Arutchelvan, who was also at the same news conference, said the party will not be endorsing any candidate, including from PR.

Arutchelvan was tipped to contest in the Selangor state seat, with campaign posters bearing his name circulating on social media.

He claimed the bulk of the support for PSM’s candidacy in the by-election came from non-members who disapproved of PKR’s decision.

Following multi-cornered fights involving PSM in Kota Damansara and Semenyih state seats during the 13^th general elections which saw PR losing votes, many now see the socialist party as an effective vote divider, he said.

Nasir also hit out at PKR for forcing the by-election, saying the party had set a bad precedent for democracy in the country.

He said Kajang voters will also decide whether or not to lodge any spoilt vote as a protest against PKR.

According to a 2013 electoral roll, Kajang has a total of 39,278 registered voters. Of those, 48 per cent are Malay, 41 per cent Chinese and 10 per cent Indian.

The Election Commission has set March 23 as the date for the Kajang by-election, giving all parties 12 days to canvass for votes after nomination day on March 11.

The socialist party chief said PSM will now be focused on carrying out its political messages in a roadshow of Peninsular Malaysia until March 23.

PSM also expressed its commitment towards forming a left-wing political alliance with persons and groups who shared its ideology, including Parti Rakyat Malaysia and youth movement, Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia.