Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) is attempting to shed the perception that it is an anti-Islam party by explaining the similarities between the religion and socialism based on Prophet Muhammad's words.

PSM secretary-general S Arulchelvan said the party would be publishing a booklet on "Islam and Socialism" tailored for Muslims based on the prophet's statements, for example, on the emancipation of workers.

He said the party was embarking on the venture as more and more Malays are becoming members of the party.

Arulchelvan ( right ) said PSM was also reaching out to Malay communities like in Kelantan although the party may not be welcomed there with open arms.

"Recently, when we went on a road show in Kelantan, PAS felt very threatened. PAS deputy president Mohamed Sabu was told to stop us from  entering Kelantan.

"The argument of PAS in Kelantan was that no party can survive in Kelantan, only PAS and Umno," Arulchelvan told Malaysiakini , in an interview in Penang.

He said PAS probably felt intimidated as many Malay youths attended PSM’s programmes in the state, and there was good feedback to its published materials.

Arulchelvan claimed that Mohamed, better known as Mat Sabu ( left ), told his party that "the only way we can challenge PSM is to do as much work on the ground as they do".

He added that the last PAS muktamar in Johor also discussed how party members can work with PSM.

Mat Sabu had said, citing the example of Indonesia, that citizens voted for Jokowi for his work and not because he was an Islamic party leader.

PSM has simple leaders

Arulchelvan explained why the Malays may be attracted to PSM, which is led by "simple and grassroots" leaders.

"In the past, PAS had an icon like its spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat who has a simple lifestyle.

"Today, this kind of image you can find only in socialist party leaders, like Sungai Siput MP Dr D. Jeyakumar and former Kota Damansara assemblyperson Mohd Nasir Hashim.

"These leaders are simple, they still drive their old cars and are willing to declare their assets," he said.

PSM was hit the hardest in July 2011, when six of its top leaders were detained for 28 days under the Emergency Ordinance for being prime movers of the July 9 Bersih rally in Kuala Lumpur.

They were also alleged to have in their possession subversive documents and were accused of  attempting to revive Communism and waging war against the monarchy.

They were later released unconditionally and sued 82 individuals, mostly police officers for wrongful arrest and false imprisonment.

They agreed to an out of court settlement of M201,000 in compensation for the six who were detained.

"It was a good fundraiser for the party," Arutchelvan quipped.

"They tried to finish us off then. In the past, when left parties were attacked, they went underground, and  disappeared but PSM went above ground.

"We used it to campaign for the general elections. It was something the authorities did not expect," he said.

"It showed the confidence of the new left party, also the people didn't believe in the charges against us," he added.

Mixed reaction to new left coalition