PSM: Our struggle will persist as long as there is poverty, inequality

PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan said his party would not give up on its struggles despite negotiations for a potential pact with Pakatan Harapan falling through.

"As long as there is inequality, poverty, climate crisis and an uneven distribution of wealth, our existence is relevant.

"We are a party with a socialist ideology and our struggle is much bigger than contesting a general election every five years.

“This is why we don’t only appear during the general elections. We have an agenda and mandate to change the existing system in order to bring prosperity to the greatest number of people across all races and religions," said Arutchelvan in a statement today that was published on his party's socialist.net website.

"My disappointment is minor but the disappointment felt by many Malaysians - including some Harapan supporters, civil society and ordinary people who wanted to see PSM join Harapan to fight other parties - is much greater.”

Touching on the failed talks, Arutchelvan clarified the false perception that PSM failed in the negotiations because it only asked for the Sungai Siput seat won by Harapan, and did not seek other seats.

"This is not true at all. We asked for one Harapan incumbent seat, which is Sungai Siput. However, we are also sought for two more parliamentary seats and three state assembly seats - all of which are seats that Harapan lost in the last general election.

"However, as a bare minimum, we only asked for one parliamentary seat and two state seats. All negotiations are recorded by Harapan so if anyone disputes this, they can ask the latter to reveal the recording," he added.

Jeyakumar best candidate for Sg Siput

The Sungai Siput parliamentary seat used to be MIC’s stronghold since Independence – with party presidents VT Sambanthan and S Samy Vellu holding it for more than 50 years.

However, in 2008, Samy Vellu was toppled by the current PSM chairperson Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj, who ran under the PKR banner.

Jeyakumar won the seat again in the 2013 GE but lost badly to PKR’s S Kesavan in 2018 when he contested under the PSM banner.

Arutchelvan said that for the 15th general election, PSM was ready to use a common logo.

"So the question is, who is the best candidate? On average, many people, including NGO groups, political observers, research journalists and even Harapan's main challenger in Sungai Siput which is MIC, see Jeyakumar as a better candidate.

"Apart from having a good track record and image, Jeyakumar is also the person who has popularised the PKR logo in Sungai Siput since 2004, at a time PSM was not registered and PKR had no followers in the constituency," he said.

Arutchelvan said there were also some personal issues that might haunt Sungai Siput’s Harapan candidate throughout the election campaign, a possible reference to a lawsuit filed against Kesavan related to alleged sexual harassment.

"With all this in mind, there is no comparison as to who is the better candidate and has the best chance of winning.

“The strange thing is, we often hear that (PKR leaders) Anwar Ibrahim and Rafizi Ramli are looking for candidates who have a better chance to win.

“But their reason for refusing to give up Sungai Siput is that it is their seat," he added.

Muda got tough seats

While PSM was left out by Harapan, Arutchelvan noticed that despite Muda being given a substantial number of seats to contest, most of them are tough seats.

"I think Muda got difficult seats, although I'm glad they at least got some seats.

"In terms of bargaining power, Muda does have more clout than PSM because, in the last Johor state election, they did not lose their deposits compared to us during GE14.

"However, we have to understand that, in GE14, PSM ran solo but Muda got support from the Harapan parties in the Johor polls via a collaboration for all seats except Larkin," he added.

Given the recent developments, Arutchelvan said PSM would take some time to decide on its next move.

"Since PSM is no longer in an electoral alliance with Harapan, we are free to contest or support any individual or party in GE15. We will have a follow-up discussion with our members to get some insight on what to do.

"We only have five days left before nomination day. After that, only two weeks to campaign. It will all be over in less than 20 days.

"As a party that does not have the support of the capitalists behind it, we will decide in a day or two about what we will do and whether we will contest in GE.

“However, we feel that it is our responsibility and obligation to highlight the grievances and voices of the ordinary working people during GE15.”

PSM won't beg for seats

Arutchelvan said many took the position that Harapan was the best combination for his party to work with.

"But PSM decided not to join Harapan but merely asked for electoral cooperation to fulfil this popular demand. There are also Harapan supporters who give the idea that we have to meet with Anwar and Rafizi or the top leadership of Harapan to ask for a seat.

"Some also said they had to meet with some millionaires who sponsored Harapan to get a seat. However, apart from the official channels of correspondence and texting, PSM did not take any additional initiative to meet the sponsors or top leadership to get a seat," he said.

The former councillor reminded the public that PSM consists of activists who are known for their principles and fighting spirit.

"Begging for seats is not PSM's culture. The struggle for people's rights and against the system did not start from us and will not end with us," he added.

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