Since leaving DAP, the maverick politician, who had openly criticised the party leadership during Penang DAP conventions, has been busy pursuing a PhD in criminology from Universiti Sains Malaysia, which he completed last November.
Speaking to FMT, Shamsher said he was now planning to contest in Bukit Tengah, a state constituency in Bukit Mertajam.
“I volunteer to be the alternative candidate, at a time when voters are fed up with both sides of the political divide. I want to show people that politics is not always about the party,” he told FMT.
“If I am elected, I want to use my position to put some form of check and balance in politics. I will be a lawmaker who is people-friendly, not party-friendly.”
The last time an independent candidate stood in Bukit Tengah was in the 2013 elections, when Mohan Apparoo lost his deposit, receiving merely 182 votes. Then, PKR’s Ong Chin Wen defeated state BN chairman Teng Chang Yeow with a 5,190-vote majority.
Shamsher said he chose to stand in Bukit Tengah because it was here that he helped 20 families who were facing eviction.
Shamsher admitted that financing his campaign would be a problem, and one way is to use the “crowdfunding” method.
“I am not a wealthy businessman, but I have a passion for my work. I have given pro bono services,” said the law lecturer.
“I need at least RM50,000 for my deposit and campaign. If you are willing to help fund me, I will run. If I do not hit my target, I will give it all to charity,” he said.
Shamsher said a focus of his campaign is crime prevention, and promise of a “safe city”.
He is confident that supporters of the #UndiRosak campaign would also vote for him.
Shamsher has opposed Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s involvement in Pakatan Harapan (PH). The former strongman is the coalition’s candidate for prime minister.
But Shamsher said Mahathir had yet to apologise for his past misdeeds, adding that DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang and other prominent opposition leaders had well documented Mahathir’s actions.
“We were against Mahathir from day one. By bringing him to Pakatan, you bring along the problem as well,” he added.
He said people were now “tired” with both PH and Barisan Nasional (BN).
“The people are tired of both parties and both issues. People want an alternative. I want to be just that,” Shamsher said.