I would argue that the merging between KeADILan and PRM is a win-win policy. KeADILan is a newly formed party. As a member of the Barisan Alternatif, I fully believed that KeADILan is fighting for the nation and for the equal rights of all Malaysians. PRM has very good leaders such as Syed Husin Ali. But the problem with PRM is that it is still not accepted by the people. If they merge with KeADILan, they can help guide the new party. The merger between KeADILan and PRM is good news to BA, but that is not enough. BA must also develop a common logo.
Christopher Chua
In my opinion, it is not only that PRM should merge with KeADILan. We should also consider merging all the opposition parties to form a truly and united opposition party that could offer to Malaysians a common platform that fights for justice for all Malaysians. By having PRM, PBS, DAP and KeADILan as one party, we could obviously eliminate the misconceptions and misunderstandings that the public have on the individual parties.
SiHapus Kotor
I strongly support the idea to merge KeADILan and PRM, which later can be called as KeADILan-Rakyat ( it is not like Bumiputra-Commerce). PRM leaders must be appointed into KeADILan excos, people such as Dr Syed Husin Ali, Sanusi Osman, etc. Remember two heads is better than one but it doesn't mean too many cooks will spoil the broth. PRM will be remembered in Malaysia history as the party which is willing to cooperate for the best interest of Malaysians and for the sake of justice. I will be the first person to declare my membership of Keadilan-Rakyat.
DDDPusat
I totally agree with the idea of combining the two cousins! As a new breed of Malaysians, I feel sick and tired of Umno, MCA, MIC and the like who are limited and confined to struggles along ethnic lines. It is the time to change to build a more just Malaysian society and I believe PRM and KeADILan have all the potential. A new image has to be created. Definitely the logos (of "lembu" and "mata" Anwar Ibrahim) have to be redesigned to reflect a more meaningful struggle of Malaysian. I would suggest a new name Partai KeADILan Rakyat (People JUSTice Party).
Abu Imran Chan
Whether merge or tak merge, it would not bring any big impact since PRM and KeADILan work and campaign under the same roof - Barisan Alternatif. Well, it is kind of sad and a pity anyway if PRM needs to merge with KeADILan since PRM's age is likely to be around 40 years old. Well, it is up to them. Everything has its own advantage and disadvantage. Finally, lawan tetap lawan!
Asgha Putra
No, I don't think so. What is more important is one common symbol for all parties within Barisan Alternatif (or Barisan Rakyat). I believe the more political parties under BA the better, rather than to merge member parties within BA itself. BA should try to include as many political parties as possible to strengthen itself.
Strategic Thinking Lecture
PRM should merge with KeADILan to establish something like "Parti KeADILan Rakyat". The merger should opportune Malaysians with a party with immense honesty and faith in justice and fairness for the rakyat as proven by PRM; and the resources, network and support enjoyed by KeADILan.
These two could help make the new party into a political powerhouse attractive to Malaysians of all races and religions. It would provide the ideal platform for Malaysian moderates, both Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Come next elections, it could be very attractive to the "cheated" non-Malays that voted Barisan Nasional and "protesting" Malays who voted for PAS or DAP.
The new party should be promoted as highly-rakyat-sensitive, caring, honest, intelligent, dynamic and a moderate. As an example, the rakyat has a specific view that PAS and DAP are on the extremes, whilst BN has a label of CNN to it.
I believe that there is now a vacuum for a really moderate party for moderate Malaysians.
Jalak P. S.
It goes without saying that a new logo should be designed. Please search (a design competition perhaps?) for a new one to reflect the renewed vigour. The logo must be representative and beautiful, not only to reflect its values and struggles, but also when printed as flags, stickers, on letterheads, envelopes and even ballot papers!
I think merging is the only way to survive in current political arena. Barisan Nasional with 14 component parties is too strong for Barisan Alternatif. PRM has failed to make its mark in Parliament for two decades and its influence among voters are relatively weak compare to 60s and 70s. Since the concept of political struggle of PRM and KeADILan is similar, a merger can bring benefits to both parties. From Malaysia's political history, the merger of Parti Pesaka and Parti Bumiputera made PBB the strongest party in Sarawak. Why not give it a try, let PRM and KeADILan become a strong opposition.
Tat Kean
Sejarah menunjukkan semakin besar parti, semakin banyak politik dalaman parti tersebut; semakin besar sesebuah parti, semakin berkuasa pemimpin parti. Rakyat tidak memerlukan pemimpin yang terlampau berkuasa. Lihatlah Dr Mahathir Mohamad, pemimpin Umno yang berkuasa itu, siapakah ahli dalaman Umno yang berani menegurnya? Ahli Umno sendiri terpaksa keluar parti untuk menegurnya. Rakyat mahukan beberapa pemimpin yang berkerjasama untuk kepentingan rakyat.
Lihat Umno/BN, mereka memusatkan kuasa kepada Dr.M. Anasir luar lebih mudah meresapi melalui peminpin yang berkuasa. Penjajah asing, sebagai contoh Bill Gates begitu mudah menguasai Malaysia apabila Dr. M secara personal menjemput Bill Gates untuk "menjayakan" MSC. Cuba kalau Barisan Alternatif memerintah, Bill Gates terpaksa pergi ke PRM, pergi ke DAP, pergi ke PAS pergi ke KeADILan untuk menjajah tidakkah itu menyusahkan dia? Berbanding BN, dia hanya perlu membeli Dr. M.
Memusatkan politik kepada satu satu parti politik menyebabkan budaya politik Umno berulang. Sekarang, ahli perniagaan terpaksa melaui Umno jika perniagaannya adalah jenis bergantung kepada tender. Budaya ini perlu dihapuskan demi ketelusan dalam pemberian tender. Adalah tidak adil jika hanya orang yang kenal politician yang mendapat tender. Jika penggabungan berlaku, perkara berulang mungkin berlaku dan susah di tegur oleh orang lain.
Dari segi menumpuan isu, memusatkan kuasa kepada satu2 pemimpin menyebabkan ada isu kecil yang sering ketinggalan. Rakyat Malaysia membantah projek Bakun hanya kerana ianya diberikan kepada kroni setelah ianya disuarakan oleh beberapa parti politik. Tetapi, berapa ramaikah diantara kita membantah projek Bakun kerana ianya tidak mendapat kelulusan Jabatan Alam Sekitar? Berapa ramai diantara kita membantahnya kerana kita sendiri sedar ianya merosakkan alam? Isu Anwar keracunan arsenik, parti politik sibuk membantah tindakan meracun Anwar, tetapi apabila media melaporkan kadar arsenik rakyat Malaysia tinggi, berapa ramaikah diantara kita membantahnya secara terbuka? Disini parti politik kecil amat perlu untuk menyuarakan isu kecil yang sering ditinggalkan oleh parti politik besar.
Biarlah PRM lebih menumpukan isu alam sekitar daripada isu yang telah lama diulang ulang oleh parti BA yang lain. Bersama samalah kita untuk membentuk masyarakat yang tidak bergantung dengan politician.
Jiwa Merdeka
Definitely the merger between PRM and KeADILan is good for both parties and Barisan Alternatif. As to KeADILan, we can rest assured that the party will not suffer the same fate as Semangat 46, especially with the news of Chandra Muzaffar quitting. PRM's 40-odd years of consistent struggle says a lot about the meaning of "lawan tetap lawan".
KeADILan Member
Kami, ahli ahli KeADILan dari kawasan Ampang Jaya (seramai lebih kurang 112 orang) sebulat suara bersetuju agar PRM bergambung dengan KeADILan -- dan kami ingin menyusulkan nama baru parti tersebut -- iaitu 'Parti KeADILan Rakyat Malaysia (PKRM)
Pejuang Reformasi
I think PRM needs to rethink, revamp and restrategise first and foremost before it plans to merge. PRM in itself is a valid political party and should remain that way, but it needs a new image. The seladang on the red background is a throwback to the 60s socialist trends and that kind of imagery is long gone.
PRM should stand firm on its beliefs and assess its successes and losses. It has done well in this election, the margins are getting closer and there is a chance yet for PRM in the next election. It needs new blood, a new logo, a new manifesto. Merging with Keadilan may not prove to be beneficial to PRM in the long run.
After 44 years and untold experience, PRM has a lot to offer to newcomers in the field. Its questions should be directed internally and within the party. New, younger members are crucial to the next generation of leadership within PRM and may have the answers to the questions that are being asked.
Bernice Chauly
Yes! Yes! Yes! I fully agree that PRM should merge with KeADILan. It is time for the old tiger to be reinvigorated with the 'ummph' from KeADILan!
JS Thomas
I think all the Opposition parties should be merged and unite themselves to be a real Barisan Alternatif, which is a real alternative for the citizens of Malaysia. Malaysians long for a credible and reliable alternative front which is strong and sincere.
Y Z C Lok
I am very excited with this possibility and very much hope it comes to fruition. I have since early this year contemplated this and rumours that several key figures in PRM were thinking of contesting the general elections under the KeADILan ticket had me flushed with pure joy. The fact that it did not materialise is inconsequential.
I must admit that I do not have an intimate understanding of PRM's charter but a cursory glance shows that it has a lot of common with KeADILan: the fight for transparency, good governance, greater democracy and justice as a common denominator for all Malaysians to aspire to should provide a strong basis for a merger. The multiracial image which KeADILan seeks to foster will be given a boost by a merger with PRM.
Nevertheless, I do not discount the very delicate issues of posts to be offered (to the very least PRM's Dr Syed Husin Ali & Dr Sanusi Osman), in addition to the PRM's rank and file attitude towards KeADILan. They are completely justified in worrying that KeADILan may go the way of S46.
Despite KeADILan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail's assurances, it is still the rank and file of KeADILan which will dictate the course of the party. As a KeADILan member, I can only point to the fact that the leadership has been busy since Nov 30, strategising and executing the game plan for the coming years to pre-empt any negative effects of KeADILan's performance in the general election. This in itself is proof of KeADILan's commitment to forge ahead with the consolidation of its membership and continuation of its struggle for reformasi.
In the final analysis, I hope this merger materialises.
Anonymous
Yes, we strongly support PRM leadership's proposal to consider merging the party with component parties in Barisan Alternatif, especially KeADILan. You can do it in 2004.
Baharuddin Khalid
I think the death knell sounded for PRM a long time ago but it just went unheeded. There is no room in Malaysia for a de facto Socialist Party. As you can see from the recently concluded election, even though voters were disenchanted with the BN, they still could not stomach the thought of voting for PRM. I strongly suggest PRM dissolve and join KeADILan or Umno, then at least the party member will be of some use to society. It is just not feasible for them to carry on with their hopeless struggle and if you are not in Parliament, you don't have a voice.
Andre Bastianpillai
Yes, PRM should join the KeADILan and start afresh from there.
Idrus Abu Bakar
If after 44 years PRM cannot make an impact with voters, it is high time it reviews its existence. A merger with KeADILan can only strengthen Barisan Alternatif.
Tony
