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Socialism or barbarism - your choice
Malaysia Kini - August 6, 2009
Socialist principles are becoming ever more relevant in the present political context of the country for they give priority to people before profit or production.
This was stated by Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) central committee member and Sungai Siput member of Parliament Jayakumar Devaraj.
He did admit though that his party does not have a blueprint on achieving socialism but invited others to join the struggle anyway. For this simple and stark reason: "Either have socialism or work for barbarism."
He stressed this point during a panel discussion and launch of his book, 'Malaysia at the Crossroads: A socialist's perspective' at the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall last night.
"The major hurdle for the party is overcoming communal politics as class-based politics was suppressed by the British and the succeeding governments in Malaysia," Jayakumar replied to a question from the audience.
On the book, he said it represents what his party's thoughts on the issues facing Malaysians.
Jayakumar is currently the sole socialist parliamentarian. The party won recognition in September last year after a 10-year struggle.
To another question on extending socialism to the Pakatan Rakyat coalition he said: "It is a complex relationship. It would be too much to expect Pakatan to take up socialism. It would be good if they stick to what they have promised."
What is socialism?
He also criticised current prime minister, Najib Abdul Razak's efforts of pumping more money into industries in efforts to overcome the current recession.
"The capitalist undermines the economy by reducing pay and social expenditure. There would be a lot of capital but no market to invest in as it is a case of under consumption against over production. We must have a growth of 4-5 percent to grow out of recession."
Fellow panellist, Malaysiakini CEO, Premesh Chandran raised the point that the left has not yet clearly explained the idea of socialism in Malaysia. "There is a vacuum in terms of critical strategies of the left. To what extent has PSM filled them?"
He also called upon the party to assess its strength in terms of ideology, engagement and power of winning opponents over.
Another panellist, Dr Poh Soo Kai a former member of Barisan Sosialis (Singapore) and ISA detainee from 1963 to the 1970s said that the book is important for those who want to understand socialism in Malaysia.
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