Barisan Nasional (BN), specifically MIC, had retained the seat since 1995 but the party has decided to sit out the coming elections this time round.

State MIC chairman and former executive councillor L Manickam won the seat in 2013 and defended it in 2018, though BN was ousted from power by Pakatan Harapan.

A source said Sanjeevan, 39, who was born in nearby Bahau town, had been serving the constituents since 2020 after joining Bersatu.

The businessman, who was earlier embroiled in several criminal and civil cases, was once in PKR.

“He stands a fighting chance to win the seat since MIC will not be nominating its candidate,” the source told FMT.

In the 2018 elections, Manickam won the seat with a 1,062-vote majority after securing 3,702 votes. S Musliadi Sabtu of PKR polled 2,302 votes while PAS’ Fairuz Isa secured 785 votes. Independent candidate S Surash managed to win 2,640 votes.

Malays make up 51% of the voters, followed by Indians (36%), Chinese (10%) and Orang Asli (3%).

It was recently reported that Negeri Sembilan Umno was ready to contest in Jeram Padang following MIC’s decision not to take part in the state elections on Aug 12.