Ipoh, 22 September 2007

More than a thousand, two hundred people packed the Tow Boo Keong Hall in Ipoh making it the most successful annual Fund raising dinner organized by PSM Perak since its first annual dinner started seven years ago. The dinner was a resounding success and was so overwhelming that for the first time in its seven-year span, tables had to be placed upstairs to accommodate the guests. Supporters came from all walks of life – urban pioneers, factory workers, plantation workers, farmers, students, all organized by the PSM and its fronts, as well as representatives from NGOs and political parties, friends and professionals.

The programme itself was vibrant, starting with the singing of the Internationale, by representatives of the different sectors, all holding the red PSM flag high. Speeches were made by PSM Chairperson, Dr Nasir Hashim who said that workers must realize that without capitalism, the workers can prevail but without workers, capitalism will collapse. This speech was followed by many other speeches and many more performances and songs.

The highlight of the day which got the most thunderous applause was when PSM National Election Director, Comrade Segar, took the stage to introduce the PSM comrades who will contest in 7 seats in the next general elections. Comrade Nasir Hashim handed over red flags to the election director of each of these area’s election machinery, to symbolize the trust and immense responsibility the party placed in each area the party would be contesting. The seven areas are all in the state of Perak and Selangor. As said by the Party’s Secretary General, the party’s target and strategy is to think small but try to win big in one or two seats to bring back socialist assemblymen back in electoral political scene.

This announcement was followed by another significant announcement - the opening of the PSM Jelapang Branch in Ipoh. Two pro-tem members of the branch, Heam Miew Seam and Chin Ko Youn, came onto the stage to receive the party flag.

No PSM dinner event is complete without its drama which gives an analysis of current issues. This year’s drama portrayed the endless assaults by the pro-capitalist government on the people in the form of oil-price hikes, privatization of water and hospitals, the FTA, anti-worker laws etc, and exhorted the people to vote courageously for change. The cast of 15, largely from the youth wing of the PSM, put up a commendable performance.

The many banners, all used in demonstrations in the last one year, and displayed inside the hall resonated with the message of the drama. The PSM in the course of the last one year had led many campaigns against the neo-liberal assault on the people and had mobilized to protest on many of the issues.

PSM Party leaders such as Comrade Saraswathy, Rani Rasiah, Kumar, S.Arutchelvan and area representatives gave speeches on numerous issues. PAS and Keadilan leaders also presented a speech each.

50 years on Independence of Malaya as well as suppression and continues assault on the socialists over the years had created a huge gap and fear among the people. The suppression of the left though massive failed to eradicate the ideas and the historical truth of classes and class struggle. Socialism as an ideology returned with the formation of the Parti Sosialis Malaysia in 1998. Socialism had become taboo, systematically misrepresented, and its proponents forcefully suppressed by the ruling elite. But to the founders of the PSM, it was the only ideology that could free the working class from the shackles of economic and political exploitation, and build a more humane society. There were many critics, and even some members of the Malaysian left who called us a foolhardy bunch destined to die a premature death.

The PSM dinner in its seventh year was a confirmation of the relevance of socialism and an indicator of the extent of public support for the programmes of the PSM.

Long Live Socialism

Long Live PSM

R. Rani

International Bureau

Socialist Party of Malaysia / Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)

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No.22A, Lorong Vivekananda, 50470 Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA.

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