PRM-PSM: The emerging third political force?

Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) and Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) are keen to rekindle old ties and resurrect their common socialist struggle for the betterment of Malaysians.

And, it could spell danger for both existing political blocks, the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat.

The cooperation among the socialist parties could well pave the way for the formation of a third political force in the not too distant future.

Leaders from both parties did not rule out such possibility, although currently they maintain that their respective parties would remain independent entities friendly to Pakatan.

For both PSM and PRM, the common enemy remains the Umno-controlled BN.

PSM president Dr Mohd Nasir Hashim said his party are in serious discussions with PRM on ways and means to work on a common ground and strengthen leadership and grassroots support for both parties.

Our short term goal is to strengthen both the parties and work out a common socialist formula for Malaysians, he said.

When prodded on their long-term goal, Mohd Nasir refused to be drawn in to make a prediction but hinted that a third force could emerge if so desired by the people.

But if people were unhappy with existing political blocks, a third force could emerge to provide the people with an additional optional to choose from, Nasir told Malaysiakini.

Progressive and viable political choice

A rejuvenated PRM vice-president Gary Nair concurred that there was a high probability of PRM and PSM forming a third political force which would accommodate parties with a similar agenda.

He indicated that the third coalition could include the Human Rights Party (HRP) and other minority-based parties, especially from Sabah and Sarawak.

However, he said making the third force a political reality was still far away

We need to have greater dialogue sessions and build on a common agenda that would provide a different, viable and progressive political choice for Malaysians, Nair told Malaysiakini.

He said the PRM leadership's immediate goal was to revive the party and strengthen its grassroots support.

He said PRM was recovering from the recently concluded court battle over its legitimate existence.

When asked on why PRM did not want to join Pakatan, Nair said such a move could be resisted by certain ex-PRM leaders in the coalition. He declined to reveal the names of the leaders.

Moreover, he said Pakatan needed to prove that it was different from BN.

Nasir and Nair said although their parties were friendly with Pakatan, nonetheless they know the limitation of the cooperation.