INTERVIEW
(1) How big was the swing against the Barisan Nasional? Who were the main beneficiaries?
The swig occurred in all urban areas and mixed areas. The swing was massive in areas where the non-Muslim formed a majority or simple majority
(2) What turned so many people against the BN? What issues made them most angry? How long has this anger been growing?
People were fed-up with corruption under the Badawi government and could not handle the economy (unlike Mahathir). Inflation was also increasing, associated with hikes in the price of fuel. People wanted to teach the BN a lesson too, as I had become very arrogant.
Our programme had seven main demands:
– Workers’ rights will be safeguarded (e.g. minimum wage, automatic recognition of workers unions and 90 day maternal leave)
– The eradication of neo-liberal policies (e.g. halting privatisation of health care, education and other public necessities)
– Stopping the Free Trade Agreement with western imperial powers
– Provide comfortable and humane housing for both rural and urban inhabitants
– Stopping racial and religious politics to foster greater unity among the people
– Eradication of corruption and abuse of power
– Stopping the destruction of the environment
(3) What was the BN’ campaign like?
They relied on massive TV advertising, but hardly much substance. They looked quite disorganized and did not have spirit. Their workers were paid to leaflet and put up posters, On the opposition side, it was all spirit.
(4) What was the main focus of the PSM’s campaign? What were the main differences between what the PSM raised and PKR?
PSM tried to win some seats while in new area we popularized the party and ideology. We had lots of pamphlets on what is socialism and spread our propaganda quite a bit. We also championed the issue of the workers, urban poor, minimum wage etc to counter the ruling party. We spoke of day to day issues of the people including against the privatisation policies of the ruling party.
(5) Can you explain what is the BA (Alternative Front]? What was its platform?
BA is currently only 2 parties, the Partai Keadilan Rakyat PKR (Populist – Anwar Ibrahim) and PAS (Islamic). [This means it excludes another major opposition party, the Democratic Action Party - DAP].
Though PAS is idelogically Islamic and clear about it and has good machinery while PKR is rather more confused at times similar with BN positions. Yet Anwar has made a clear stand to oppose the privileges to the Malays and has called for a policy cutting across race.
The BA talked about bringing down fuel prices, 90 days maternity leave, RM 1500 minimum wage (there is no minimum wage in Malaysia), free education and free health. The money was to come from petroleum revenue.
(6) How important was the absence of three cornered contests? What was he racial factor in these elections?
The racial factor was used in all other elections.. But there was a swing among all the races. Chinese and Indians recorded massive swings while there was also a slight Malay swing. The absense of three corner fight showed the people that the opposition could collaborate. It was a good gesture.
(7) PSM participated in these elections under the PKR registration? What does that mean in practice?
PSM only borrowed their logo. We used the PSM flag along with the PKR flag. We had our own manifesto and decided that we will support PKR policies which we are in-line with but take independent position on others
(8) What are the prospects now for a progressive bloc in the Malaysian parliament? The PKR iself i a merger/alliance - what are the prospects for collaboration with the new MPs?
It is a new ball game. Some of the initial statements made by the new Chief Ministers at the state level [where the opposition won 5 states] are worrying as they are focussing on pleasing the investors etc. PSM plans to develop our own brand of politics - to put the workers agenda and clear class line forward
(9) What are the PSM’s immediate goals over the next few months?
We only targeted to win 1 seat but ended with two. In our next CC meeting - 2 weeks away , we would formulate:
i. Guidelines on ethics for socialist elected reps - on how much they should allocate to party etc.
ii. Set dateline to implement our manifesto in our areas like forming People’s Committees etc.
iii. Set a 100 day target on what we want the 5 new state Govt to do in the first 100 days.
iv. Set up 2 full time office with full time staff in S.Siput and Kota damansara (Now only manned by volunteer and operated a few days in a week).
v. Establish a new Branch in Semenyih
PSM statement
The opposition parties of Malaysia shook the ground last night. Penang, Selangor, Perak, Kedah and Kelantan were all won by the opposition parties.
Meanwhile, in Sungai Siput and Kota Damansara, the people showed their appreciation for the years of effort made by PSM’s community development workers by voting for our candidates. Our candidate in Sungai Siput, Dr. Kumar, defeated Samy Vellu for our first ever Parliament seat while Nasir Hashim won the DUN Kota Damansara seat! Both contested under the Keadilan flag.
Parlimen and Dewan Undangan Negeri will now join the grounds from where we stand up for the rights of the oppressed - plantation and industrial workers, the poor, single mothers, the orang asli and progressive student movements.
Long live resistance! Thank you to all of our friends and supporters and congratulations to the other opposition parties for their great victories!