Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj said although PSM had yet to make a formal decision, it is highly unlikely it would contest the federal seat again.

PSM got only 680 votes in the May general election, which also saw candidates from Barisan Nasional (MIC), DAP, PAS and Berjasa contesting. PAS has said it would also stay out of the contest this time.

PSM also lost in all other parliamentary and state seats they contested.

“Our members and villagers in Cameron Highlands told us that they are not keen if we stand in the by-election,” Jeyakumar told FMT.

He said government supporters might accuse the party of trying to split the votes between MIC and DAP, adding that it was also counter productive for PSM.

The Cameron Highlands seat was declared vacant after the election court nullified BN’s victory, on grounds that there had been vote-buying during campaigning.

MIC’s C Sivarraajh, who won the seat for BN, has decided not to challenge the court decision.

DAP’s M Manogaran, who filed the petition, is tipped to stand again. He lost to Sivarraajh by a razor-thin 597 votes.