PSM PRESS STATEMENT

14 NOVEMBER 2007

STOP BEING SOUR GRAPES AND STOP
BULLYING SCHOOL CHILDREN !

We refer to the Statement by Deputy Education Minister, Datuk Noh Omar that children detained on Saturday’s BERSIH rally will be send for rehabilitation and the parents investigated under the Child Protection Act.

The only people who need to be investigated are the police and the Government for creating chaos in dispersing a peaceful assemble using chemical water. This would have hurt the children more than their presence at the assemble. These children would be baffled on why the authorities were acting in such a manner when it has been described by most parties that the assembly was peaceful. Even RTM 1 showed a peacefully assemble to counter Al-Jazeera version of the assemble which saw the people bombarded with chemical water. It is the State which teaches these children violence.

When we see Palestinian children stoning the Israelis tanks, we don’t blame the children but the aggressor. In the Bersih rally, it is clear who the aggressor was and who was the victim. Similarly when we see urban settlers homes demolished by the authorities brutally, we see once again how the authorities show no mercy to these children whom
lose their homes. Nor do they talk about the Child Protection Act.

Rights to assemble is a right as well as freedom enshrined in our Constitution under Article 10. The State has repeatedly violated these acts and now they are trying to bully school children into submission. While the Government on one hand wants to amend the University Act to give more freedom to students and lecturers, yet on the other hand, they want to continue to bully school children into submission to their wimps and fancies.

We think it is time that the Government accept the will of the people and accept defeat gracefully. The BERSIH’s rally on 10^th. November 2007 clearly illustrates the frustration of the rakyat. The only people who need rehabilitation is Noh Omar, Nazri and others who don’t seem to understand, or come to terms on the outcome of the BERSIH rally.
The Government should not turn into sour grapes just because all their intimidation and bullying did not work. They should in fact look for the reasons behind the frustration expressed by the people.

S.Arutchelvan

Secretary General.

Circulated: Nov. 14, 2007

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SOCSO AND THE APPELLATE BOARD

NoV. 14, 2007

En M was a 49 year old supervisor at The Belton Factory in Sg Siput U Perak in 2003 when he sustained a disc prolapse in his cervical (neck) spine. He was fastening a die to a machine at about head level, when the 8 kg die slipped and he had to support it. This sudden exertion precipitated severe pain in the neck and the right shoulder and he wasn’t able to continue working.

MRI done in the University Hospital in PJ showed that he had sustained a disc prolapse, and it took him six months to recover. However SOCSO refused to pay him temporary disablement benefits as Dr Azman, the SOCSO in-house doctor, had classified his injury as due to aging. Dr Azman, whose brief appears to be to deny benefits to as many cases as is possible, pounced on a phrase used by the UN Orthopaedic Specialist to describe En M’s cervical spine x-ray, to declare that “adalah jelas penyakit orang berinsurans disebabkan oleh”cervical spondylosis“ia-itu satu keadaan”degenerative“, akibat proses penuan –’” En M appealed to SOCSO but was turned down.

En M then brought his problem to the PSM Service Centre in Sg Siput and a case was filed against the SOCSO decision at the Social Security Appellate Board. After a 3 year wait, the case came for hearing on 26 th October 2007. Dr Kumar acted as En M’s counsel. Dato Dr Ramanathan, the Head of the Orthopaedic Department from Hospital Ipoh appeared as an expert witness for En M. Dato Rama stated clearly that in his opinion, En M’s symptoms were due to disc prolapse precipitated by the sudden effort he exerted, and that the underlying cervical spondylosis was just a co-existing problem – being present in around 20% of the population at the age of 50 years. Socso then fielded their own expert witness, Dr Siow. However to their chagrin, Dr Siow said almost the same things as had Dato Rama a little earlier.

“It is quite clear isn’t it,” remarked the Appellate Board Chairperson. “That is why you should get proper medical opinion before turning down cases.” “I don’t think you need to submit Dr Kumar,” she added.

“I would like to bring up one point,” Dr Kumar replied. “Even though the patient will be getting his disability benefit payment now, we should not forget that when he was laid off and in need of medical treatment, he did not get the support that SOCSO was set up to provide. The Board must give a clear directive to SOCSO to be very careful before turning down such cases. If there is any doubt, the case should be referred to a properly constituted medical board to determine whether or not the case is an occupational injury.”

“I have said that many times already,” replied the chairperson. “You ask her,” referring to the SOCSO counsel. “Then maybe you should award damages this time. That will make them take notice,” Dr Kumar suggested. The Chairperson replied that that is beyond her powers.

En M was lucky that there is a PSM Service Centre in his town. But there are many more injured workers who are denied SOCSO protection because of the cavalier attitude of certain officers who make decisions that adversely affect the injured workers without taking due care! One case has been set right, but the procedural weaknesses that allowed it to happen have not been corrected.

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PARTI SOSIALIS MALAYSIA

PRESS STATEMENT : 31 October 2007

RIMBA JAYA DEMOLITION OF URBAN SETTLERS HOUSES AND PLACES OF WORSHIP:
IT WAS THEIR CLASS, NOT THEIR COLOR

This morning, Shah Alam City Hall workers with the help of the police demolished houses of 274 families in Kampung Rimba Jaya, Shah Alam. Currently there is a dispute between the settlers and a Private Developer - Khidmat Tulen Sdn Bhd who has been trying to evict the people since 2003.

The developer than used the services of the local authority (MBSA) who used the Draconian Emergency Regulation– Clearance of Squatter Ordinance 1969 to forcefully evict the people. This is a mixed residents with around 50 Indian families while the remaining over 200 are Malay families. They have been living there for the last 20 years. Many attempt to negotiate with the State Government failed. Today the authorities demolished their houses.

Also demolished with the houses was a surau and a Hindu temple. PSM Subang Branch member, S.Kumarvel who was there at the scene reported that the authorities were brutal in carrying out the demolition process. The authorities were armed with weapons and this resulted in injuries to those opposing the demolition. He has lodged a police report on his account.

PSM is sad that certain quarters have used the occasion and given it a racial slant. They have enraged certain section of the community to look into this incident in a very narrow, racist and perverse angle. We deplore such actions as it will further create hatred and divide the people.

The truth of the matter is the Urban Settlers – both Malays and Indians are victim of a system which supports the rich and oppresses the poor. The settlers have lost their homes and their places of worship, not because of their ethnic or color but because of their class. The MBSA was aiding the developer to evict the people. They used the Emergency Ordinance which is still used today, in spite of celebrating 50 years of Independence.

PSM condemn the demolition and the forced eviction. The Selangor State Government has once again shown its true color when dealing with the Urban settlers. The people were not provided with alternative houses and have been made homeless in their own country. It is time to unite as a single class for the future of all the oppressed people irrespective of race and religion.

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PSM AIDIL FITRI BANNER BROUGHT DOWN BY AUTHORITIES

Sungai Siput, 17 OCtober 2007

All the Banners put up by PSM in-conjunction with the Aidil Fitri celebration was Brought down by the Town council after receiving orders form the Police Special Branch.

The reason according to the Town Council officials were that PSM’s banner were instructed to be brought down by the police as it contains a message which is Anti-Government. The Message was, “ Let’s together oppose privatization of water and Health”. (Bersatulah menentang Pengswastaan air dan hospital)

Though PSM obtained the necessary permits to put the Banners in public place yet such messages are seen offensive by the police. Though most banners were taken down, PSM continue to oppose the ban and raised the Banner at the party’s office. The Town Council instructed it to be taken down as well but did not dare to bring it down themselves. PSM has since lodged an official complaint on the incident/

Perhaps the Malaysian Government were so worried that the banner would disrupt the nation’s first astronaut who was returning from space. The State used the festival slogan to instill patriotic slogans and propaganda to drown the growing public unhappiness over rising prices of basic goods. Therefore such a message can become very sensitive

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PARTI SOSIALIS MALAYSIA

PRESS STATEMENT : 10 October 2007

TAKING US FOR A RIDE IN SPACE !

 How would the space mission solve our problems?

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) is amused by the fanatical atmosphere and the publicity generated on the launch of the first Malaysian to space. It is yet another desperate move by the ruling party to beat up the drums on this space mission after the 50 years Merdeka celebration fizzled out and when people came back to reality. Now it is a space fantasy which is taking us on another ride of the Malaysian Boleh trip.

The reality is Malaysia exchanged palmoil for a space trip. In October 2003, the Malaysian Government signed an agreement with Russia where Russia will buy RM1.1 billion worth of palm oil and send a Malaysian into space as part of a multi-billion-ringgit deal for 18 Sukhoi 30-MKM fighter jets.

Besides that Capitalism has taken science to yet another new dimension with the introduction of space tourism. Space tourism is a new phenomenon of filthy rich individuals and private companies paying to go to space. The price for a flight brokered by Space Adventures to the International Space Station aboard a Soyuz spacecraft is now $30 million. Flights are fully booked until 2009. Among some of the people who have gone to space since Dennis Tito became the first “fee-paying” passenger in 2001 are South African computer millionaire Mark Shuttleworth and Gregory Olsen an owner of a company which produces specialist high-sensitivity cameras.

According to Alexei Krasnov, head of the Russian space agency’s manned programs said that four space tourists have paid about $20 million for the pleasure of spending a week on the orbital station and said that each tourist flight deal is discussed individually and is considered a commercial secret. The latest space tourist, Anousheh Ansari, 40, an Iranian-born American businesswoman, returned to Earth after paying around $20 million for about eight days in space. The Malaysian Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor (SMS) is the latest of the list of space tourist.

While the Malaysians are kept busy with news on roticanai in space and fasting in space which are seen as new breakthroughs in science, the truth is before this Malaysian, more than 400 people have traveled to space not including many monkeys, chimpanzees, mice, frogs, tortoise, fish and dogs. Many of them have sacrificed or being sacrificed in many missions.

The question before us is how this mission is going to resolve our problems in planet earth. PSM seeks answers on how can a space mission, worth billion of ringgit resolve the following problems faced by the nation :

1. Increasing Ethnic and racial disharmony

2. Increasing income gap of the rich and poor

3. Increasing corruption at all levels

4. Suppression of democratic rights – free and fair election, rights to assemble, expression and association, free media and others.

5. Increasing suffering incurred by the people with the rising of basic goods, fuel prices and controlled items.

6. The suffering incurred with the introduction of privatization and neo-liberal policies such as privatization of the health care, water and other basic amenities.

7. The suppression of workers through pro employer bills while workers are denied a basic living wage.

8. The continues decline of the Judiciary

Millions of ringgit is spent and wasted to send one person to space while the money could have been put in good use to improve the livelihood of the common people. While the ruling party points us to the star and takes us for a ride in space, this mission is just an ego trip by a Government which has lost its purpose and sense on what needs to be done for the betterment of the people.

Released by

S.Arutchelvan

Secretary General.

Tel : 019-2537791

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 MINISTRY SHOCKED! STATE GOVT FRAUD!

 18 years wait for low cost houses

The Taman Sri Raya, Housing Project

Kuala Lumpur, 4 October 2007

This morning around 30 purchasers from Taman Sri Raya, 9^th. Mile, Cheras held a peaceful protest as well as submitted a memorandum to the Officails from the Housing and Local Government Ministry. They were accompanied by PSM Kajang Branch members who have been assisting the house buyers since the issue was brought to their attention.

The protesters carried placards and banners and shouted a long line of slogans in front of the Ministry headquarters. Ministry Officials then referred the case to the enforcement agency which was situated 200 meters away. The people than walked to the Enforcement office carrying their banners and placards.

The Ministry Deputy Head of Enforcement – Dr. K.G.Param received the eleven person delegation. The delegation was led by the Committee leader Tharmalinggam and accompanied by PSM’s Central Committee Member V.Selvam and Kajang Branch Treasurer D.Sevan.

The Ministry’s Officers were shocked that the project is abandoned for 18 years and even more shocked that this is a joint venture with the Selangor State Government. Dr. K.G.Param said that he would go for their blood and would start investigation immediately. He was not surprised nor was he amused that the State Government has taken them the buyers for a ride.

On 29 June 1989, 8 years ago, Kausar Corporation Sdn. Bhd. with the State Secretary of Selangor signed a Sales and Purchase agreement with around 40 purchasers. The agreement was prepared by Advocate Rozali Ismail , who is now a Tan Sri and the Chief Operating Officer with Puncak Niaga- a crony of the Selangor State Government. The interesting aspect is all other development project in the area was accomplished except for the low cost housing project. Once again the poorest among the people were exploited and cheated. All of them have paid deposits between RM 2,500 till 10,000. Some of the purchasers have even finished paying the full loan. The place is now a jungle.

In the last one month, some of the people approached the PSM Branch who immediately helped in forming a committee and pursue the issue. At the Press Conference outside the Ministry, PSM Central Committee member V.Selvam said that this is a fraud by the State Government and Kausar Corporation is a crony of the State Government. The People today called upon the Project to be built within 2 years and the Ministry to intervene or take over the project. They have also asked for compensation to be paid because of the hardship incurred in the last 18 years.

The circumstances of this project are evident that the lower income people are being sidelined and ignored. There is no political will to built low cost housing for the poor. Companies given tender to built low cost houses are not serious and are corrupted. There is no action taken against these companies because of their close relationship with the State Government. When asked the protesters why they waited for 18 years, they said because it was a Government Project, they thought they will not be cheated.. This is 3 C – Capitalism, Cronyism and Corruption. The poor have no choice but to fight back.

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