THE PARTI SOSIALIS MALAYSIA – 9TH. CONGRESS REPORT
1-3 June 2007, Port Dickson
A Brief Report
PSM 9th. Congress took place a few weeks after the IJOK by-election which PSM did not participate, a week after the PKR’s Congress and during the same time with the PAS Congress.
The PSM 9th. Congress started with the singing of the Internationale and followed by another popular workers song which was translated from Korean to Bahasa Malaysia. The song which is called “March for you comrade” has currently being translated to a few languages and is an inspiration to the struggle of the workers in Asia.
PSM Deputy Chairperson, Comrade Saraswathy did the Opening address as well as read out the solidarity messages from individuals and comrades from other parts of the world. We reproduce below some extract of these solidarity messages:
International Solidarity Message
Giles Ji Ungpakorn, Peoples Coalition Party and Workers Democracy, Thailand
The Peoples Coalition Party and Workers’ Democracy (Thailand) send a message of solidarity and friendship to the comrades of the PSM. Your struggles and achievements are an inspiration to us and you are the real hope in Malaysian society to build a better, socialist world without racism and class exploitation. Forward comrades!!
James Petras, famous writer and retired Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Binghamton University, SUNY, New York, USA. With a 50 year membership in the class struggle.
In This Time of Aggressive Imperialist Wars in Iraq, Afghanistan Somalia and the Shameful Silence or Collaboration of Many Asian Regimes. The Congress Of The PSM Takes On Great Political Significance. I In Awakening The Malaysian People Of The Dangerous Course Taken By The Neoliberal Regime And The Loyal Opposition. May You Succeed In Building A Powerful Anti Imperialist And Socialist Party.
In Solidarity, Onward To Victory
Agus Priono, Chairperson of the National Liberation Party of Unity (PAPERNAS, Partai Persatuan Pembebasan Nasional)
Warmest Greeting From Indonesia to Comrades of Partai Sosialis Malaysia. On Behalf the National Liberation Party of Unity (PAPERNAS) I would like to express our solidarity to the 9th Annual congress of Partai Socialist Malaysia.
The left Party in the third-world country operates Neoliberalism system running its task to end the illusion of fake reform of neoliberalism system. We are in Indonesia glad to learn that your party give great contribution in building labor movement in Malaysia, in particular your struggle to build movement such as JERIT.
I salute you for your consistency in maintaining your struggle amidst the repression to your Party, ad midst the government’s legalized repression in the form of ISA as well as other pro-neoliberalization law.
Hope for the best for your coming congress. Our solidarity with you.
Carlos Makabulos, Head, International Department, Workers party of the Philippines (PMP), Philippines
Revolutionary greetings to the 9th Annual Congress of the Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM). We are busy right now monitoring the last parliamentary elections. Our party, the Partido Manggagawa ng Pilipinas (PMP or Workers Party of the Philippines) is intervening mainly through our two party-list organizations.
We are glad to know that the Party to Party network in our region is progressing. We very much would like to further strengthen our ties in the coming month. The Socialism Conference in Manila that is going to be held in November 2007 is going ahead according to the resolution of our parties during the last Socialism Conference in Bangkok, Thailand. We are finalizing the preparations for that. We are also extending our invitation to your Party to send a cadre who can stay for a few months to observe and join us in our struggle and to and share your own experiences and struggles.
We are glad about the fast development of your party formation and your struggles. We aspire to further strengthen our links and cooperation.
Onwards with the socialist struggle! Mabuhay ang rebolusyon!
On behalf of the Executive Council of the Partido Manggagawa ng Pilipinas
From the International Secretariat of the Committee for a Workers’ International
To the comrades of the Parti Sosialis Malaysia, gathered at Port Dickson for the 9th Congress of the party:
The International Secretariat of the Committee for a Workers’ International, on behalf of our members in every continent, sends its warmest greetings for a very successful congress. We see the PSM as a valuable fellow organisation of struggle on the path to international socialism.
The period we are going through world-wide is complicated. Capitalism world-wide is apparently going forward economically, though dripping with the blood and sweat of workers and poor people. Those who fight against imperialist wars, national oppression, environmental pollution, exploitation and class rule have an uphill task, but they are making their voices heard – in Latin America especially, but also in Europe, in Asia and even in the USA!
With the fighting spirit of comrades like those of the PSM, a clear Marxist analysis and programme and courageous struggles conducted independently of hostile class forces, lasting victories can and will be won. They will lead to the establishment of governments of workers and poor people at last run by their own representatives, elected democratically and overcoming all divisions along the lines of race, creed or sex. This will open the way for genuine socialism and communism on a world scale.
We wish you well in your debates - about history, about the present day and about how to build the forces for socialist struggle. We hope the discussions we have had on many of the topics under discussion at the congress have been of some use, and that our fraternal exchange of ideas and solidarity will continue and bear fruit.
Red Salute!
Peter Boyle, National Secretary of Democratic Socialist Perspective (DSP), Australia
Greetings on behalf of the Democratic Socialist Perspective in Australia on the occasion of your 9th Congress.
It is with great admiration and respect that we have followed your tireless campaigning for the right to organise politically and your militant example in workers’ struggles and on broader democratic issue.
We are at a moment in history where the need to move society beyond the capitalist system has never been so urgent. The very survival of humanity is threatened by a global warming crisis that cannot be solved within the parameters of this system. And on top of this we have imperialism’s never-ending war on the Third World compounding the massive toll from the ever-widening economic war on the world’s majority..
We look forward to closer links and greater collaboration in the years ahead.
Workers of the world unite!
Long live the PSM!
Long live the struggle for a socialist world!
Stephen Jolly, Socialist Party, Councilor for Yarra Council, Australia
Comrades! The Socialist Party in Australia sends greetings to your 9th Annual Congress.
The PSM is the party of the working class, urban pioneers, students and all working masses in Malaysia. We are proud to have your party flag hanging high at our office in Melbourne.
Let us continue to exchange ideas and experiences in the ongoing struggle to achieve clarity for the workers’ movement.
Erik Demeester, International Marxist Tendency
We hope that your congress went very well and that you have made important decisions to advance the struggle of your party in the direction of socialism.
Our international organisation, the International Marxist Tendency (see www.marxist.com) is following with a lot of attention the developments of the socialist organisations worldwide and in South East Asia in particular. Therefore we want to establish fraternal political links with your organisation with the aim of learning more about your struggle, activities and ideas. We hope to be able soon to invite one of your comrades to our international conferences and to the congress of our section in Pakistan. If possible we would also like to be able to meet your comrades in Malaysia itself.
Policy Statement
PSM’s National Chairperson, Dr. Nasir Hashim then read the Policy Statement for the Congress and officially opened the 9th Congress. This was followed by debates and views from party branches and front organizations. Dr. Nasir’s policy statement touched on the three major topics – The International scenario, The National Scenario and the role of the Party. (Full text is only available in Malay language).
On the International situation, he spoke about war in Middle East and noe-liberal policies, about the development in Latin America as well as the development in the region. On the National issue, he spoke about the countries economy policies and how much it is tied to capitalism, General elections as well as the state of the workers and the urban settlers. On the party, he spoke about PSM’s Socialist Agenda, networking and solidarity building, enhancing party’s financial capacity, election and registration of PSM.
A lively debate took place where members from PSM branches and front organization debated the Chairperson Policy Address. Many saluted the position taken by the party in the Ijok by-election and the various role played by the party. They were also critism in the party’s failure to produce the Tamil newspaper as well as suggestion on how the party should handle the coming by-election.
The Secretary General’s Report amounting to 25 pages and covering 7 areas was presented next by the Secretary General, Comrade S.Arutchelvan who spoke for almost 45 minutes on the Party’s activities and performance in the last one year.
For this year’s congress, he noted that the attendance was the largest and made comparison when the party had its first congress in 1998 with just 12 members. In this year’s congress too, members were given membership card as well as a red book which outlined party’s principles, regulations and political line.
He also said the party accomplished 4 out of its five targets last year. Its target to open the Party head office in Kuala Lumpur, coming out with party newspaper consistently, hold synchronized branch elections and organizing a national forum on the issue of National Question was all accomplished. The party nevertheless failed to increase membership among the Malay masses. Last year also saw, the party having full time activist to work in the party office, managed to sell the party newspaper especially the Malay newspaper.
Among the weakness was the failure to come out with the Tamil newspaper. The SG report also said that PSM continues to lead and play a leading role in the fight against neo-liberal policies. This can be seen in the party’s leadership role in the Anti Privatisation of Health campaign, Anti FTA campaign and the GST campaign. There were also successes such as the GST was deferred; FTA failed in its fast tract and the move to start a private wing in Government Hospital was postponed.
The year also saw PSM organise a successful National forum on the national question held on 12 November 2006. A good and revolutionary fund raising dinner was held in Petaling Jaya which attracted more than 600 people.
On the International front, PSM continue to built and strengthen the regional networking among socialist in Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia. There has been increasing number of coordination, visits and meetings held among these groups. PSM continue to network and built solidarity with International groups such as with the CWI, IST, DSP and IMT. Locally PSM coordinated the annual anti Iraq war protest
On the coming election, the report stated that it would be an uphill to task to beat the ruling party and similarly it would also be an uphill task to get more seats fro PSM since the party is yet to be registered. Nevertheless, the party has identified 5 areas it would want to contest and have formed election machinery in these areas.
The treasurer report focused on a number of issues including the 1% compulsory contribution of members. The Secretary’s and Treasurer report was passed by the delegates.
Papers Presented
4 papers were presented by 8 speakers during the Congress. One the first day, Dr. Kumar and Sevan presented papers on the Ottoman Empire and its implication on global politics today. The second day saw three interesting papers. The first was on Malaysian 50 years of independence and left politics. Members were divided into 5 groups and workshop was held. The conclusion was that the prospect is bright for socialism as long as the party does more work with the grassroots and make itself relevant to the needs of the masses. The discussion also unanimously declared that PSM has indeed filled the vacuum left by the previous left political parties but acknowledge that it would be an uphill task to emulate the achievements of the left before.
The second discussion on the migrant workers and its threat to local workers also had its fair amount of differences. Overall the conclusion was there is a need to organize migrant workers along with local workers. The workers movement should also unite and oppose employers who mistreat migrant workers as well as oppose discrimination policies against migrant workers implemented by the ruling party.
The most interesting debate was whether PSM should open a Women wing. This discussion went on till 1.30am and was highly charged. All 5 groups felt that women issues should not be seen in isolation and all groups rejected a women wing. There were suggestion though to form a women bureau participated by both women and men. The discussion left it to the new central committee to work out a plan on this.
Resolution & Motions
16 resolutions were debated and voted at the congress. 14 resolutions were passed with some amendments while two resolutions were rejected. The delegates rejected a controversial motion from S.Siput branch who wanted to limit the branch chairpersons’ term in office to a maximum of 4 years. Another motion which was rejected was tabled by Alaigal who called that party member who have served in an area for five years be given the liberty to stand in election in any part of the state. This motion was rejected and the current practices that a candidate must have served in an area for 5 years remain.
Among the motion passed were that a special fund be set up for PSM members who are sacked or victimized in the cause of their activity, that the party pays more attention in coming out with the Tamil Socialist as well as increase pages of the Malay socialist, to encourage branches to form cultural bureau and a motion to make the youth camp an annual event. There was also a motion to amend Article 17 of the constitution which touches on freedon of religion.
The most controversial motion to relax the party membership requirement was passed after 2 rounds of debate after the first round failed to come out with a conclusion. With the new motion, members who does not do grassroots work can become members of the party but the motion to allow members leeway not to attend Ideology sessions was rejected after a lengthy debate. In conclusion, though there were some relaxation and flexibility but again it is not that everyone can just walk in as members. The amended motion was passed with 68% in support while 30% opposed.
Party Election
This year, Party election saw only contest for the post of Deputy Chairperson where incumbent Deputy Chairperson Comrade Saraswathy defeating challenger Rani Rasiah in a friendly contest. Saras obtained 53% of the vote edging Rani who obtained 47% of the vote. Chairperson Comrade Nasir Hashim, Secretary General S.Arutchelvan and treasurer A.Sivarajan retained their post unopposed.
12 people were also nominated to contest for the 5 powerful central committee member positions. Incumbent Comrade Dr. Kumar obtained the highest vote (94%), followed by Comrade V.Selvam (85%). Other three positions elected were Comrade Kunasekaran 62%, Choo Chon Kai who obtained 56% and a new comer Letchimi Devi who obtained 47% of vote. Rani Rasiah becomes the fifth CC member as Choo Chon Kai would automatically become a CC member as the State representative.
There was also contest for the Party Disciplinary Committee where 16 people contested for five position and Auditor position where 2 people were elected out of 10 people who contested.
Resolution of the 9th. Congress
As every year, this year also 11 resolutions was passed as below:
RESOLUTIONS PSM 9TH CONGRESS
Register PSM at once. The failure to register PSM is a political conspiracy of the ruling party to outcast socialist from actively involving in the political and democratic process in the country.
PSM is disappointed with the ruling government for not implementing the Minimum Wages Act. The failure only reflects that the government had lost its credibility and political will to genuinely resolve the workers issue. Thus, PSM fully supports MTUC’s suggestion to hold one day strike if the Minimum Wages Act is not implemented. PSM demands the government to immediately abolish cheap labor policy.
PSM strongly oppose amendment in the EPF Act which has tremendously reduced monthly premium for migrant workers. . PSM is against any amendments in the labor laws to make it more flexible and opposes all policies that discriminates migrant workers in Malaysia. PSM also demands automatic recognition of Trade Unions.
PSM opposes any plans to promote health tourism because health sector should not be commercialized. Such compromise will continue to weaken the quality of the government hospital and will burden the ordinary people.
PSM opposes price increase of basic needs and controlled item. PSM also demands privatization of water, electric and sewerage system to be nationalized because privatizations of public services will burden the people.
The Judiciary body of the country must fully respect, protect and recognize the urban settlers’ rights. PSM objects any form of forced eviction to the urban settlers and condemns the use of Emergency Ordinance to clear the squatters and we demand the act to be abolished along with other Emergency Ordinance Acts.
PSM urges the Election Commission (SPR) to conduct general election in a clean and fair manner. We also urge SPR to implement demands made by Clean and Fair Election Coalition (BERSIH). PSM also demands local council election. We demand racial politics to be eliminated and all candidates to declare their asset before standing for the election.
PSM resist any policy that discriminates and humiliate women . A national awareness campaign must be carried out intensively to educate the public on gender and equality.
Abolish National Service Program which was started in a rush without proper public consultation, wasting public fund, numerous problems and blunders in the program could not be resolved. In fact the shortcomings are increasing.
PSM demands Malaysia to put a stop to FTA negotiation with US and EU. We to support the struggle against neo-liberal policies and againt international capitalism by people around the people. PSM also demand US to retreat it’s army from Iraq and Afghanistan and to close down it’s military bases around the world
PSM condemns any step towards introducing Goods and Services Tax (GST) by the government because it will further burden the ordinary people and at the same time will lessen the tax for the capitalist and business class.
The coming year
For the coming year, PSM would focus on winning at least one seat in the coming election, do a public forum on Venezuela, redesign PSM’s website, produce more socialist booklets, conduct more Public forum outside KL as well focus on Organising a National forum on 50 years Independence titled – Merdeka dalam darurat ( Independence during emergency)
The party also resolved to hold an International Conference in 2008 in conjunction with the party 10 years of existence.
The Closing ceremony and the final day focused on relooking at the Party line. All new elected member of the Central Committee then gave a short sppech before the Chairperson officially closed the PSM’s 9th. Congress.
International Bureau
Socialist Party of Malaysia / Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)
Address:
No.22A, Lorong Vivekananda, 50470 Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA.
Tel: +60-3-22747791, (mobile) +60-19-5669518
Fax: +60-3-87374772
email:
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http://parti-sosialis.org/