Forty-four local non-governmental organisations and political parties today accused the worlds imperialists of causing global distress through their immense power over others.
This earth is not peaceful because of wars created by the power of the worlds imperialists. Our work and pay are not guaranteed, companies shut down at their whims and fancies, they declared in this years May Day declaration.
Your world and my world are threatened by a small group of rich people called the capitalist. Globalisation and liberalism do not guarantee our work, prices for essential goods are on the rise and public services are privatised.
Now our rights have been destroyed by this group of people... we have nothing to lose but our chains... we have one world to conquer, they said.
Ironically, their words about their rights being trampled on were proven true today when police arrested 17 people, including two women and key organisers, for illegal assembly while they were taking part in a peace walk to celebrate May Day this morning.
Among those held were Suaram coordinator S Arutchelvam, 35, Parti Sosialis Malaysia pro tem president Dr Nasir Mohd Hashim, 56, vice-president Dr D Jeyakumar, 46, Community Development Centre members V Selvam 41, and Seevan Doraisamy, 24.
The two women arrested were social activist Lee Siew Hwa, 33, and PSM member R Manorani, 46.
They are being held overnight at the Wangsa Maju police lock-up while the men are being remanded at the Dang Wangi station. All are expected to be released on police bail at the Dang Wangi station at 9am tomorrow.
As a result of the arrest, the celebrations that were to begin with a march from Chow Kit Road ending at the Kuala Lumpur City Centre park had to be aborted, and the tri-lingual declaration, meant to be read out at KLCC, was never given a public hearing.
Nine demands
The declaration, printed on the leaflets that some 150 marchers had been distributing along Chow Kit Road today, came with nine demands, including a fair minimum wage, 90-day maternity leave, the abolition of the Internal Security Act, Official Secrets Act, University and University Colleges Act and the Printing Presses and Publications Act.
The group is also demanding for the right and freedom to form unions, the building of quality homes, free health and educational services and price control on essential goods.
Other demands are to:
The Malaysian government recognised May Day in 1972, 15 years after Merdeka (Independence), granting workers a public holiday.
However, it was not mandatory for the private sector to recognise May 1 as a public holiday until seven years later, in 1980, when the government declared it a national compulsory public holiday.
