Delegates will address the issue at the party’s national congress next month.
PETALING JAYA: Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) will decide next month whether to continue collaborating with Pakatan Rakyat.
The issue, which arose from disagreements that resulted in multi-corner fights for two Selangor state seats and one Perak state seat in the recent general election, will be discussed at the party’s national congress, due on June 28.
“Of course, we are disappointed with what transpired,” PSM secretary general S Arutchelvan told FMT today in reference to the fiasco in Kota Damansara and Semenyih. Barisan Nasional won both seats.
In Kota Damansara, PSM president Nasir Hashim, who used the PKR symbol, had to fight not only Umno’s Halimaton Saadiah Bohan and three independent candidates, but also PAS’s Ridzuan Ismail. Several quarters, including elements in Pakatan, have alleged that a certain faction in PKR campaigned for Ridzuan.
In Semenyih, Arutchelvan used PSM’s own logo to contest against Umno’s Johan Abdul Aziz and PKR’s Hamidi Hassan. Pundits say Hamidi had strong support from PKR activists aligned with the party’s deputy president, Azmin Ali.
In Jelapang, PSM’s M Sarasvathy faced MIC’s S Mokan and DAP’s Teh Hock Ke. Ten won the seat.
Arutchelvan said PSM was seeking talks with PAS and PKR over their differences.
“PAS called us a communist party and we are not happy with it,” he said. “It’s the same accusation Umno had levelled against us in the past.
“As for PKR, we are not happy with what transpired in Kota Damansara and Semenyih.
“So we need to hold a dialogue session with both parties to thrash out the issues.”
PSM had only one victory in the election. It retained the Sungai Siput parliament seat.
Arutchelvan said PSM’s poor showing had a surprising effect on its popularity.
“The ironic part about the defeat is that more people are coming forward to express support for our cause and aspirations,” he said.
He said many voters were caught up with the “Ubah” and “In Kalilah” clarion calls and voted in favour of Pakatan, forgetting that PSM was aligned with the opposition pact and subscribed to both calls.
“They didn’t really see the candidates. For them, Pakatan represented the mood for change and they voted in their favour. It happened all over the country, not only Semenyih and Kota Damansara.
“But we are quite happy that many youngsters voted for PSM. Post election, many came forward and expressed their disgust over what Azmin Ali’s camp did to us.”
He said PSM remained committed to the belief that BN must be dislodged from federal power before any change could be initiated in Malaysia.
He added that it was pertinent for the Election Commission (EC) and BN to address allegations of fraud during the polls.
“As for PSM, we will work towards winning the hearts and minds of the young electorate,” he said.
PETALING JAYA: Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) will decide next month whether to continue collaborating with Pakatan Rakyat.The issue, which arose from disagreements that resulted in multi-corner fights for two Selangor state seats and one Perak state seat in the recent general election, will be discussed at the party’s national congress, due on June 28.
“Of course, we are disappointed with what transpired,” PSM secretary general S Arutchelvan told FMT today in reference to the fiasco in Kota Damansara and Semenyih. Barisan Nasional won both seats.
In Kota Damansara, PSM president Nasir Hashim, who used the PKR symbol, had to fight not only Umno’s Halimaton Saadiah Bohan and three independent candidates, but also PAS’s Ridzuan Ismail. Several quarters, including elements in Pakatan, have alleged that a certain faction in PKR campaigned for Ridzuan.
In Semenyih, Arutchelvan used PSM’s own logo to contest against Umno’s Johan Abdul Aziz and PKR’s Hamidi Hassan. Pundits say Hamidi had strong support from PKR activists aligned with the party’s deputy president, Azmin Ali.
In Jelapang, PSM’s M Sarasvathy faced MIC’s S Mokan and DAP’s Teh Hock Ke. Ten won the seat.
Arutchelvan said PSM was seeking talks with PAS and PKR over their differences.
“PAS called us a communist party and we are not happy with it,” he said. “It’s the same accusation Umno had levelled against us in the past.
“As for PKR, we are not happy with what transpired in Kota Damansara and Semenyih.
“So we need to hold a dialogue session with both parties to thrash out the issues.”
PSM had only one victory in the election. It retained the Sungai Siput parliament seat.
Arutchelvan said PSM’s poor showing had a surprising effect on its popularity.
“The ironic part about the defeat is that more people are coming forward to express support for our cause and aspirations,” he said.
He said many voters were caught up with the “Ubah” and “In Kalilah” clarion calls and voted in favour of Pakatan, forgetting that PSM was aligned with the opposition pact and subscribed to both calls.
“They didn’t really see the candidates. For them, Pakatan represented the mood for change and they voted in their favour. It happened all over the country, not only Semenyih and Kota Damansara.
“But we are quite happy that many youngsters voted for PSM. Post election, many came forward and expressed their disgust over what Azmin Ali’s camp did to us.”
He said PSM remained committed to the belief that BN must be dislodged from federal power before any change could be initiated in Malaysia.
He added that it was pertinent for the Election Commission (EC) and BN to address allegations of fraud during the polls.
“As for PSM, we will work towards winning the hearts and minds of the young electorate,” he said.
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