PSM members to discuss, decide on pact with PN - Jeyakumar

All Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) members will be given an opportunity to discuss the party's future direction, including whether it would enter into a pact with Perikatan Nasional in the upcoming polls.

When contacted, PSM chairperson Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj said party members from all branches nationwide will be invited to participate in an internal discussion scheduled by year-end or early next year.

"It's almost like an annual general meeting, but it's not called one.

"PSM have already decided at our congress (in July) to hold the discussion among members," the former two-term Sungai Siput MP told Malaysiakini.

He said this in response to Perak PSM exco member K Kunasekaran, who yesterday reportedly called on the party to forge an electoral pact with PN, saying it could no longer continue to isolate itself from the political dynamics that determine national policies.

Online portal Free Malaysia Today quoted Kunasekaran as arguing that entering into an alliance to coordinate seats and avoid three-cornered fights did not mean the party was compromising its socialist ideals.

Two general views

Jeyakumar today noted there are two general views among PSM members, one side in support of Kunasekaran's concern that the party will not do well in an election when contesting as a single entity.

"Harapan had pushed us away in recent elections... Since PN has invited (to join), there are suggestions for us to accept," he said in reference to the larger opposition alliance mooted by Bersatu as the leader of PN.

Ties between PSM and Harapan had soured since the 15th general election after the then federal opposition rejected a request for Jeyakumar to re-contest the Sungai Siput parliament seat.

In July 2023, PSM entered into a formal pact with Muda - which also parted ways with Harapan - to face six state elections, an alliance which remains to date.

Commenting further, Jeyakumar said, "The other view is that PSM should stay committed to building a third force, upholding principles like anti-privatisation, fairer distribution of wealth, and to completely eschew race politics."

"Even if it means we don't do well in the next election, it doesn't matter," he said, adding that the role of party leaders in PSM will be to allow its members enough time to discuss and make a decision, which should then be accepted by all.

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