The Malaysian government’s New Economic Model (NEM) is based on the neo-liberal model whereby the role and responsibility of government are transferred to the private sector, and people’s interests are traded off for corporate gain, warned Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM).

The party said the world is in deep crisis due to the contradictions and crisis within the capitalist system that swears by the free market to resolve all problems.

ipoh ktm land title dispute k kunasekaran “We are seeing today how the fierce competition among capitalists to secure profits has resulted in hardship for people the world over,” said PSM national coordinator K Kunasekaran ( left ).

“Why then must Malaysia still wish to dance according to the neo-liberal tune? he asked.

What is the way out for Malaysia in the socio-economic sense? PSM is holding a Socialism Forum 2010 themed “Business First-People Last”, which is set to give critical answers to this neo-liberal assault and is to be an avenue for the debate and discussion of critical economic and political issues affecting the Malaysian people.

This two-day informative forum from Oct 23-25 to be held at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, Kuala Lumpur, is for all people across the board, and will touch on the current bread and butter/rice-bowl issues of all Malaysian people.

Socialism 2010 will provide the opportunity to discuss in depth the Malaysian economic situation, analysing various aspects including the government’s economic policy, the impact of neo-liberalism on ordinary people, the effects of privatisation and the free market, explained Kunasekaran.

“The forum will also facilitate discussion on how to build a people’s movement to fight the assault of the ‘business-first people-last’ neo-liberal policy.”

He pointed out that some of the few remaining minimum safeguards are being rolled back - the withdrawal of subsidies on certain basic essential goods, the imminent implementation of the GST and the proposed labour law amendments which are the most discriminatory to workers in the last 40 years.

The two-day forum will provide answers to questions like: ‘The NEP to the NEM ... where are we heading?’ ‘Is the free market the way out?’ and ‘Can the people halt the neo-liberal assault?’

psm declare asset 120309 jeyakumar A panel of experts and politicians will debate on the withdrawal of subsidies and implementation of the GST - effects and alternatives; privatisation and the role and responsibility of government.

The experts include economist and Aliran excutive committee member Dr Y Subramaniam, researcher and former Gerakan assemblyman Toh Kin Voon,  Petaling Jaya Utara MP and DAP national publicity secretary Tony Pua, a representative from the Venezuela embassy, PSM Sungai Siput MP Dr D Jeyakumar ( right ),  Kuala Krai MP and PAS national treasurer Hatta Ramli and human rights activist and Chinese educationist  Kua Kia Soong.

The registration fee is RM10 per head, and for further information the public can contact Madhavi (012-6045807), Bawani (016-9008202), Segar (016-5582644)and S Arutchelvan (019-2537791) or visit their website at http://parti-sosialis.org .