Kajang, 15 & 16 July 2007
The People’s Forum (Forum Rakyat) or People’s Parliament as it is known to JERIT members commenced for two days of intense debate and new resolutions. The Forum this year was participated by less members due to a strict policy adopted by the National Committee to ensure that only key workers leaders and village leadership participate as key issues needs to be debated. This was also the first time when this Forum had to be held during the Ramadan month and this also did contribute to the lesser attendance this year.
Besides that shortcoming, the Forum was full of articulation from grassroots leaders and the debates very lively that the organizer had tough time maintaining the time schedule. A lot of people from the four main sectors participated lively in the debate. The Forum was participated by the delegates from the four main coalition of JERIT – The Urban Poor Coalition, The Plantation Workers Coalition, The Student and Young People Coalition and the biggest coalition the Workers and Trade Union Coalition.
One of the key decision of the Forum was the adoption of a new structure which would see further empowerment from below. The previous JERIT structure was two fold between what is called Sectorial Level and National Level. Under the new structure, a new level called the Local Level which will see that workers and village committees are formed at local level where all subscriptions, distributions of newspapers and mobilization will be done from below. This was perhaps the most significant change to the Structure since its inception in 2002.
Another key debating point was the decision to hold the People’s forum twice a year instead of currently yearly. Voting had to be done twice as members were divided on this question. Both parties got almost the equal number of votes forcing the moderator to call for more debates and re-voting. Finally after intense debating, the consensus was to organize the People’s Forum yearly but also to coincide the People’s Forum with Sectorial Coalition Forum’s.
On the question of General Election, JERIT resolved not to field candidates but come out with its own manifesto as well as support candidates who supported the JERIT’s demands.
A general appraisal of JERIT’s performance was conducted and members very honest to state that general mobilization of the people has declined and this seems to be National phenomenon affecting the country overall. Under this backdrop of continues repression by the state on public assemblies, free media as well as massive neo-liberal assault on the people. JERIT continues to be the only organization to go to the streets on issues affecting the working class.
At this year’s forum also, Dr. Nasir Hashim, PSM’s Chairperson was invited to give a special talk to the delegates. He saluted the delegates for their high spirits and their continues struggle for a better world. A world without exploitation and classes. Dr. Nasir was later given the honor the give away the first batch of JERIT’s membership cards.
As a normal tradition, the People’s Forum ended with the singing of the Internationale with the participants carrying the red flag.