APSN | PSM: Bullied into submission

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PSM: Bullied into submission

The Malaysian Times - April 18, 2013

Malaysia's rancid election - Asia Sentinel. April 12, 2013
PSM asked to run under Pakatan ticket to avoid three-cornered fights - The Sun Daily. April 11, 2013
Malaysian leader offers election sweeteners - Associated Press. April 8, 2013
Malaysia detains 79 suspects over Borneo invasion - Associated Press. March 9, 2013
Malaysia bombs armed insurgents - Sydney Morning Herald. March 5, 2013

While an agreement has been reached between that Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), analysts say "all is not well in Denmark."

PSM secretary-general S. Arutchelvan said that the party had initially wanted to stand using its own symbol but big brother, PKR insisted that they use the PKR logo or face a three-cornered fights.

So far it has been agreed that PSM will contest in the Kota Damansara state and Sungai Siput parliamentary seats under the PKR logo for the 13th General Election.

The party, according to an insider has been always loyal to the opposition coalition in all its programmes in the past.

After a series of marathon meetings over the last few days, they were handed a "flip-flop decision" that resulted in PSM bowing to the pressure PKR brought to bear to the socialist party.

Meanwhile, Jerit, the outspoken NGO, issued a statement of support for PSM.

"As all of you are well aware, Arul (Arutchelvan), the human rights, grass root activist and the Secretary General of PSM have been denied the chance to contest in Semenyih in straight fight by PKR despite initial assurances that they will allow him to do so if he agrees to contest using the PKR banner."

The statement added that PSM, "in their press conference on April 16 this year, agreed to contest under the PKR logo this time, to abide by the aspiration of the Rakyat for a straight fight in all areas." "Arul, is not a no ordinary politician", Jerit added. "He is an activist first, a politician second."

Arul, according to Jerit, has more than 20 years been active in grass root activism, human rights work and also in economic social struggles with poor and oppressed. He is also the founder member of JERIT and Gabungan Mansuhkan ISA.

Jerit alleged that the candidate offered by PKR is a parachute candidate who has been seen in Semenyih only for the past 2 weeks.

"Thus, we feel that as human rights activists and civil society members, we need to show support for Arul. Jerit urges friends and comrades to come to Kajang on nomination day to show your support for Arul's candidacy," it added.

"Taking into consideration the larger goal and public interest, PSM has agreed to use the PKR logo," PSM secretary-general S. Arutchelvan said in a statement yesterday.

"But one has the feeling that the decision was a very bitter pill to swallow for the party that has giant killer Dr. Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj, who beat former MIC president Datuk Seri Samy Vellu in 2008 in the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat.

The defeat was one of the few stunning losses that the ruling Barisan Nasional suffered in the last election, its worst outing ever in its 55-year history.

But giant killing feats are apparently not good enough when it comes to the huge ego of Anwar who, in the words of one insider, said the actions were akin to "a stab in the party's back."

And, in a move seen as an appeasement, PSM has eaten humble pie and now will use the PKR banner.