In an undated letter addressed to DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, nine JKKK chiefs, claiming to be party grassroots members, said Kasthuri should not be fielded as she was nowhere to be seen.

“When we asked where she was, she always answers ‘I am in Parliament.’ But Parliament does not sit for the whole year.

“We are also asked by voters where our YB has gone. If we call the YB’s office, it is hard to get feedback. There are no officers to help us.

“This is a big problem for us in the Batu Kawan parliamentary constituency and many residents are disappointed with this,” the letter read.

The grassroots members also said if Kasthuri was fielded in Batu Kawan again, the seat “might not be safe” for DAP.

“We love DAP but our spirits are low. We will not have the push to go and canvass for votes,” the letter, copied to Batu Kawan DAP chief P Ramasamy, read.

FMT has contacted the signatories of the letter and confirmed the letter is legitimate.

Ramasamy, who is also Penang second deputy chief minister, said he was not aware of such a letter.

“I have yet to receive this letter, so no comment,” he said.

In an immediate response, Kasthuri denied the allegations that she had not shown up at her constituency.

She said she was at her service centre in Simpang Ampat every Thursday night.

She said it was always packed with residents from Prai, Bukit Tengah and Bukit Tambun.

Some from outside Batu Kawan had also sought her financial aid, legal advice and for many other issues.

Kasturi said she lives in Butterworth and not in Kuala Lumpur, as alleged by some parties.

“There is a third party working to deny me my candidature, should my party decide to field me as a candidate.

“I had spoken to some of the JKKKs and they said they had been pressured to sign the letter.

“Whatever it is, I will respect and abide by the party’s decision on where they want to field me in the coming election,” she said.