I refer to the malaysiakini report The left wing's vanishing dream .

Either Terence Netto is very much concerned about the future of PSM or he just can't wait for the party to die. That's how I perceive the first few paragraphs of his article.

Well, as a member of Jerit, a grassroots-based people's action network, we work closely with PSM because it is the only party that fights to resolve fundamental issues affecting the public and workers in Malaysia and they the only party able to mobilise people for such causes.

Such a capacity to mobilise and create awareness among the people is not the doing of a 'tiring' Dr M Jeyakumar or a an 'ageing' Dr Mohd Nasir Hashim alone. It is the work of the entire party and front-line members. My salute to these people who strongly believe in socialism and for their courage and commitment in fighting for the downtrodden and the oppressed.

I find that Netto's comments that the party will see its demise once Nasir and Jeyakumar are gone rather slanderous rather than being constructive.

I find PSM is growing in its membership (though very strict membership), in its activity (with solid party programmes), in its mobilising capacity and in its popularity among workers, settlers and the young. This is proof that socialism is growing and to think that all this work continues though the party is not registered. PSM doesn't need a license to fight for justice and the truth.

Never mind if they lost in the past general election through their independent candidates. At least the candidates did not lose their deposits and more importantly, PSM was the only principle party to declare its candidates' assets - something which no other party will dare do till today.

I suppose Netto's perception that only 'high profile' figures can promote the party is very typical of the 'mainstream perception' of his thinking. His comments would have had more substance if only he had done some real research work on the ground like the two doctors in PSM who have chosen to fight for the downtrodden.

I see in PSM committed activists (from all age groups) with full of courage and charisma building the party because they believe the workers and people can be liberated one day. They dare to dream. Long live the people's struggle!