Socialist Party of Malaysia

Socialist Party of Malaysia
Malay nameParti Sosialis Malaysia
ڤرتي سوسياليس مليسيا
Chinese name馬來西亞社會主義黨
马来西亚社会主义党
Mǎláixīyà Shèhuì Zhǔyì Dǎng
Tamil nameமலேசிய சோசியலிஸ்ட் கட்சி
Malēciya Cōciyalisṭ Kaṭci
AbbreviationPSM
ChairmanMichael Jeyakumar Devaraj
Founded30 April 1998
Legalised19 August 2008
Split fromParti Rakyat Malaysia
Headquarters140, Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur
NewspaperSosialis
Think Left
Socialist Perspectives (yearly)
Youth wingPemuda Sosialis (Socialist Youth)
IdeologySocialism
Democratic socialism
Left-wing populism
Progressivism
Political positionLeft-wing
National affiliationElectoral pact
Blok Progresif (since 2023)
International affiliationProgressive International[1]
Colours  Maroon
SloganBersama Membina Kuasa Rakyat
(Together Building People's Power)
Dinamik, Berani, Berprinsip
(Dynamic, Courageous, Principled)
AnthemInternasionale
Dewan Negara:
0 / 70
Dewan Rakyat:
0 / 222
Dewan Undangan Negeri:
0 / 607
Party flag
Website
partisosialis.org
Socialist Party of Malaysia on Facebook

The Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM, Malay: Parti Sosialis Malaysia; Chinese: 马来西亚社会主义党; Tamil: மலேசிய சோசியலிஸ்ட் கட்சி), is a socialist political party in Malaysia.

Formed in 1998, the party was denied registration as a political party until 2008 on the grounds that it was a threat to national security. Shortly after, it achieved its electoral breakthrough when it won its first parliamentary and state seats in Sungai Siput and Kota Damansara respectively.

History

Formation

The party's lineage can be traced to Parti Sosialis Rakyat Malaysia (PSRM), which reverted to its original name of Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) in 1990.[2] PRM merged with Parti Keadilan Nasional in 2003.

In 1991, several grassroots based organisations working with the urban and rural poor in Malaysia formed an alliance. These included the Jawatankuasa Sokongan Peneroka Bandar led by Mohd Nasir Hashim, Alaigal led by Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj, and Pusat Pembangunan Masyarakat headed by Arutchelvan Subramaniam.[3]

In 1994, the groups staged a massive Labour Day demonstration at the heart of Kuala Lumpur, surprising many people. The last major demonstration called by the working class in the capital city was in the 1970s.

In 1995, these grassroots organisation who already had their strong support among the plantation workers, the urban poor, and industrial workers mooted the idea for a political party to represent the aspirations of the poor and the marginalised. The election results in 1995 gave a sweeping win to the ruling Barisan Nasional and hastened this process.

After years of discussion and consolidations, it was finally agreed that a party with socialist ideology was needed to liberate the masses from their current conditions. With this in mind, the groups took more than two and the half years to draft the party's constitution, which was ready by the end of 1997. After further consultation with their electoral base, on 1 May 1998, the new party known as the Socialist Party of Malaysia officially submitted its application for registration. Former PSRM central committee member and ex-ISA detainee Mohd Nasir Hashim was named pro-tem party chairman during this time.

The Malaysian government rejected PSM's application to register as a political party, alleging that it represented a threat to national security. The party sued the government in response, bringing the matter to the High Court, Court of Appeal, and the Federal Court.

While the Court of Appeal rejected the government's argument that PSM represented a threat to national security, it upheld the High Court's ruling against PSM. The Malaysian government approved PSM's application on 17 June 2008, just before Federal Court proceedings started, ending a 10-year legal battle.[4] Its registration was approved on 19 August 2008.[5]

The party's symbol, a clenched fist, was initially rejected by the Electoral Commission when it sought registration with the body, with the argument that it contained "connotations of violence" and was "morally unsuitable". It was later approved.[6][7]

1999–2018

1999 and 2008 general elections

In 1999, the party decided to contest in that year's general election. Since PSM was not registered, it had to contest using another party's logo. In 1999, it contested under a Democratic Action Party (DAP) ticket in Sungai Siput. The main intention was to popularise the party.[3]

PSM candidates fielded for the 2004 general election.

Following the 1999 election, PSM opened its service centre in Sungai Siput. This reportedly caused friction with DAP,[3] and seat negotiations ahead of the 2004 general election broke down.[8] The party instead entered into an agreement with Parti Keadilan Nasional (KeADILan) to use its symbol to contest the federal seats of Sungai Siput and Subang, and the state seats of Jalong and Bukit Lanjan in that election.[3]

The party achieved its electoral breakthrough in the 2008 general election. Three of its candidates ran using the symbol of People's Justice Party (PKR), which succeeded KeADILan, while another ran as an independent. Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj won PSM's first ever federal parliamentary seat in Sungai Siput, defeating Samy Vellu, president of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), who had represented the constituency for 34 years.[9] PSM chairman Mohd Nasir Hashim won the Kota Damansara seat in the Selangor state legislative assembly. Arutchelvan and Sarasvathy Muthu unsuccessfully contested the seats of Semenyih and Jelapang, the latter as an independent.[10]

2013 general election

Ahead of the 2013 general election, the party applied to join the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) opposition coalition, consisting of the DAP, PKR, and Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), though the application was ultimately unsuccessful.[11]

Having been legalised, the party could now contest using its own symbol and name. However, it clashed with Pakatan over seat allocations and the use of the PSM symbol for its candidates.

PKR agreed to allocate PSM the seats of Sungai Siput and Kota Damansara, on the condition that the party contested them using the PKR symbol, or else face both Pakatan and Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates in a three-cornered fight.[12] PSM also sought to recontest the seats of Semenyih[13] and Jelapang, the latter considered a stronghold of the DAP.[14]

An agreement was ultimately reached for PSM to contest Sungai Siput and Kota Damansara using the PKR symbol.[15] The party was successful in retaining Sungai Siput, but lost in Kota Damansara,[16] Semenyih, and Jelapang, where it faced both BN and Pakatan candidates. Relations between the party and Pakatan deteriorated following the election.[17]

2018 general election

For the 2018 general election, PSM contested in five federal constituencies and 14 state constituencies using only its own symbol and name.[18]

While Pakatan Harapan (PH), founded to succeed Pakatan Rakyat in 2015, indicated a willingness to step aside in Sungai Siput if the party contested using the PKR symbol,[19] PSM opted to contest the election independently. Due in part to this decision, PSM suffered a heavy defeat with all its candidates losing their deposits.[20] Nevertheless, the party urged voters to vote for Pakatan in seats it was not contesting.[21]

Since 2019

Nasir Hashim and M Sarasvathy stood down as the party's chairman and deputy chairman in 2019.[22] Michael Jeyakumar and Arutchelvan were elected as their replacements.[23]

In the 2022 general election, PSM failed to reached an understanding with Pakatan Harapan and ran only a single candidate in Rembau.[24] The party had initially sought to have its chairman, Michael Jeyakumar re-contest Sungai Siput, or be allowed to contest three seats in which the coalition had no incumbency.[25][26]

On 15 July 2023, PSM and the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) announced a political alliance for the 2023 state elections. The elections were held in Selangor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah and Penang on 12 August 2023, and the PSM/MUDA alliance attempted to position itself as the "third choice" for voters "who are unhappy and bored with the politicians now and want to protest."[27]

In July 2024, the party held its 26th annual congress, at which Sivaranjani Manickam was elected secretary-general replacing A Sivarajan.[28][29][30]

Leadership

  • Chairman
  • Deputy Chairman
  • Secretary-General
    • Sivaranjani Manickam
  • Deputy Secretary-General
    • Gandipan Nantha Gopalan
  • Treasurer
    • S. Madhavi
  • Assistant Treasurer
    • Bawani KS
  • Central Executive Committee members
    • Amir Syafiq Ameer Soekre
    • Arveent Kathirtchelvan
    • Chong Yee Shan
    • Choo Chon Kai
    • Nik Aziz Afiq
    • R. Saratbabu Raman
    • Soo Sook Hwa
    • A. Sivarajan
    • Tinagaran Subramaniam
  • PSM Youth Chief
    • Amanda Shweeta Louis

Over the years, the party's three main front organisations established more than a hundred sub-fronts, and it still believes in grassroots work done with the masses especially the plantation workers, the urban poor, industrial workers, peasants and also collaborates with the progressive student movement.

PSM was also at the forefront of the successful battle to establish a minimum wage in Malaysia.[31]

Aside from electoral contests and grassroots campaigns, PSM is also known for organising its annual Labour Day march[32] and international socialism conferences held every November.[33][34]

Seven-Point Manifesto

PSM has a seven-point manifesto which lists the following policies:[35]

  1. Workers' rights will be safeguarded (e.g. minimum wage, automatic recognition of workers unions and 90-day maternal leave).
  2. The eradication of neo-liberal policies (e.g. halting privatisation of health care, education and other public necessities).
  3. Stopping the Free Trade Agreement with western imperial powers.
  4. Provide comfortable and humane housing for both rural and urban inhabitants.
  5. Stopping racial and religious politics to foster greater unity among the people.
  6. Eradication of corruption and abuse of power.
  7. Stopping the destruction of the environment.

General election results

Election Total seats won Seats contested Total votes Voting Percentage Outcome of election Election leader
1999
0 / 193
 25 Steady; No representation in Parliament Mohd Nasir Hashim
2004
0 / 219
 33 Steady; No representation in Parliament Mohd Nasir Hashim
2008
1 / 222
 11 16,458 Increase1 seat; Opposition coalition
(PR)		 Mohd Nasir Hashim
2013
1 / 222
 9 21,593 Steady; Opposition coalition
(PR)		 Mohd Nasir Hashim
2018
0 / 222
 5 3,782 0.03% Decrease1 seat; No representation in Parliament Mohd Nasir Hashim
2022
0 / 222
 1 779 0.01% Steady; No representation in Parliament (allied with PRM) Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj

State election results

State election State Legislative Assembly
Kelantan Penang Perak Pahang Selangor Negeri Sembilan Johor Total won / Total contested
2/3 majority
2 / 3
2 / 3
2 / 3
2 / 3
2 / 3
2 / 3
2004
0 / 59
0 / 56
0 / 2
2008
0 / 59
1 / 56
1 / 3
2013
0 / 59
0 / 56
0 / 3
2018
0 / 45
0 / 40
0 / 59
0 / 42
0 / 56
0 / 12
2022
0 / 56
0 / 1
2022
0 / 59
0 / 1
2023
0 / 56
0 / 4
2026
0 / 36
0 / 56
0 / 2

See also

References

  1. ↑ https://progressive.international/members/ac38fbc7-7717-43c7-bc5b-afc4d6ce2155-socialist-party-of-malaysia-parti-sosialis-malaysia-psm/en/
  2. ↑ "Leftist discourse adds to political debate". The Edge Malaysia. 5 July 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Febriansyah, Muhammad; Syed Annuar, Sharifah Nursyahidah. "Parti-parti politik kiri dalam pilihan raya Umum ke-14" [Left political parties in the 14th general election]. Jebat: Malaysian Journal of History, Politics and Strategic Studies. 45 (2). UKM Press: 273–297.
  4. ↑ "PSM allowed to register as political party" (fee required). Malaysiakini. 17 June 2007. Retrieved 18 June 2008.
  5. ↑ Yi, Beh Lih (9 September 2008). "PSM gets official recognition". Malaysiakini. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  6. ↑ Gan, Pei Ling (29 April 2009). "EC approves PSM logo". The Nut Graph. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  7. ↑ Sabri, Abdul Rahim (29 April 2008). "SPR akhirnya luluskan logo parti PSM" [The EC approves PSM's party logo in the end]. Malaysiakini. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  8. ↑ Szu-Mae, Yoon (1 March 2004). "DAP wasting time, PSM may go with Keadilan". Malaysiakini. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  9. ↑ "Not so happy birthday for Samy". The Star Online. 22 June 2011. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  10. ↑ Peter Boyle, Electoral break-through to test socialists, Green Left Weekly, 29 March 2008
  11. ↑ "PSM gives up on Pakatan after two-year wait". Free Malaysia Today. Archived from the original on 12 November 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  12. ↑ "PKR: No rift with PSM". Free Malaysia Today. Archived from the original on 14 April 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  13. ↑ "Arutchelvan denies rumours, will contest in Semenyih". Free Malaysia Today. Archived from the original on 5 April 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  14. ↑ Wong, Nicholas (5 April 2012). "PSM-DAP clash likely in Jelapang". Malaysiakini. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  15. ↑ Teoh, El Sen (16 April 2013). "PSM yields to Pakatan on logos but not candidates". Astro Awani. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  16. ↑ "PAS told to rein in its Kota Damansara candidate". Malaysiakini. 29 April 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  17. ↑ "Pakatan backstabbed us, says PSM chief". Malaysiakini. 28 June 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  18. ↑ Hee, Yap Jia (10 February 2018). "PSM announces 5 parliamentary, 12 state seat candidates". Malaysiakini. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  19. ↑ Ooi, Choong Han (9 January 2018). "PSM can keep Sungai Siput if Jeyakumar contests". The Malaysian Insight. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  20. ↑ Vengadesan, Martin (16 July 2019). "Red doctor at the helm of PSM - 'It's time to reach out'". Malaysiakini. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  21. ↑ Lee, Annabelle (6 October 2017). "PSM: Vote us where we contest, vote Harapan where we don't". Malaysiakini. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  22. ↑ "PSM chair Nasir Hashim to vacate top post after 23 years". Malaysiakini. 7 July 2019. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  23. ↑ Vengadesan, Martin (14 July 2019). "Jeyakumar is new PSM chairperson". Malaysiakini. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  24. ↑ Krishnan, Dhesegaan Bala (3 November 2022). "PSM to take on Tok Mat in Rembau | New Straits Times". New Straits Times. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  25. ↑ "'Giant killer' Dr Jeyakumar prepared to step aside in Sungai Siput". The Star. 13 October 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  26. ↑ Ong, Justin (30 October 2022). "PSM ends pact with Pakatan after allegedly given no seat for GE15". Malay Mail. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  27. ↑ Chan, Julia (15 July 2023). "Muda, PSM join forces for state polls to take a stand against racial politics". Malay Mail. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  28. ↑ Vengadesan, Martin (28 July 2024). "Sivaranjani Manickam elected PSM sec-gen". Malaysiakini. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  29. ↑ Kirtinee Ramesh (27 July 2026). "PSM keeps labour, inequality issues in national spotlight despite poor poll results". The Sun Daily. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
  30. ↑ "PSM not joining Perikatan or any new coalition, says Arutchelvam". The Star. 19 July 2025. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
  31. ↑ Vengadesan, Martin (23 March 2022). "PSM chair: Minimum wage raise laudable, still short of what's needed". Malaysiakini. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  32. ↑ Vengadesan, Martin (1 May 2022). "Labour Day: Fight for workers' rights will go on, says Arul". Malaysiakini. Retrieved 19 April 2026.
  33. ↑ VENGADESAN, MARTIN (21 November 2018). "Prominent activists due in town for December's Socialism 2018 forum". The Star. Retrieved 19 April 2026.
  34. ↑ Vengadesan, Martin (25 November 2021). "Regional socialist conference kicks off this weekend". Malaysiakini. Retrieved 19 April 2026.
  35. ↑ Seven Part Manifesto, Official Socialist Party of Malaysia website. Retrieved 21 August 2010
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