PKR, there's no issue with white fist logo, declares PSM

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) has rebutted Pakatan Rakyat supremo Anwar Ibrahim’s statement on possible confusion over its party logo, stressing there is no issue over the white fist symbol.

Instead, its secretary-general S Arutchelvan ( right ) said, PAS believes the PKR de facto leader may have come across several disgruntled PKR supporters during Anwar's visit to Sungai Siput, who wish to stand in the seat or for PSM to use their logo instead.

“Honestly, I don’t see the rural folk questioning PSM on who is Che Guevara or Mao (Zedong),” Arutchelvan said in a statement today.

“They (the majority of the rakyat) just want to know if you are with BN or not? Anything but Umno.”

Last night, Anwar said that the socialist’s party logo is not suitable if intended for use during the opposition election campaign as it may cause confusion among the people.

The opposition leader said that during a visit to Sungai Siput last month, he found that people perceived the white fist logo to symbolise different things.

“You know that with the current propaganda, (it is thought to be related to) communist-lah, (Che) Guevara-lah, Mao Zedong-lah,” Anwar had said.

In response, Arutchelvan said that the fist is popular among NGOs during the recent People’s Uprising Rally in Kuala Lumpur last month.

“The fist is also used by anti-Lynas groups, student groups, Anything But Umno (ABU) and others, but they have not been accused as communist.”

He reminded that despite its political rival the BN government trying to tarnish PSM during the Emergency Ordinance (EO) arrests in 2011, it failed because “the people did not buy the story”.

Six PSM leaders were re-arrested under the EO by the police after they were released from remand during an investigation on charges of waging war against the Agong.

It is believed that the arrests were related to the police massive crackdown prior to the Bersih 2.0 rally.

PSM logo may confuse people, says Anwar