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PSM Congress: Moving ahead with a clenched fist
Malaysian Socialist Party (PSM) News Release - June 8, 2011
Sg. Siput was red with PSM flags stretching from Dovenby estate right into the hearts of Sungai Siput town. The message was clear – the red fist clenched fist is here to stay as PSM celebrated its 13th. National Congress at its sole Parliamentary constituency – Sungai Siput.
Around 400 people attended the opening rally including opposition political leaders, NGO friends, supporters, Party delegates and observers. The aura of revolution filled the hall as it was decorated with banners and flags as well as posters of the left leaders over the years. The presence of 3 International socialist delegates from Australia, Singapore and Philippines further delighted the atmosfere. The Internationale opened the grand 13 National Congress (the third since the party got its official registration)
An activist for 3 decades, Party Deputy Chairperson, comrade Saraswathy gave her rousing opening speech. This was followed by a short video documentary on the Party programs.
International solidarity messages also poured in from Australia, Indonesia, Phillipines, Thailand, France, Pakistan, India, Scotland and Hong Kong. It was presented by the Party's International coordinator – Comrade Chon Kai.
Dr. Nasir Hashim, the founder as well as the National Chairperson then gave his keynote speech. He touched on current issues both national and international. Dr. Nasir posed a number of important questions on the relationship between PR (Pakatan Rakyat), the task for socialist, the need to expose the SYSTEM and the need to fight the Capitalist System. Do we have the right strategy? That was his tone.
This was followed with the launch of 3 books published by the Party – a handbook in Malay language on Marx and Trotsky as well as another book in Malay by Dr. Kumar, the sole Socialist Parliamentarian titled "Sorry, Mr. Speaker..... I beg to disagree ". It's a compilation of his questions and answers in the Parliament over the last 3 years.
In the evening – the debate centered on the first debate - "Capitalist crisis and the failure of the left and the socialist to seize the opportunity". A million dollar question yet the speakers, Comrade Peter Boyle from Socialist Alliance Australia and Comrade Rani of PSM gave an excellent analysis. A point made by Peter, 'Capitalism cannot escape the regular economic crisis but in themselves these crisis don't bring down the capitalist system, as long as the working masses can be made to wear the pain of these crises'. And Rani says, 'Capitalism barbaric but resilient? Capitalism down but not out...?'
At 9.30pm, the debate on the Chairperson Opening address took place. Twenty delegates debated the opening address – with table thumbing and claps accompanying them. The general call for PSM to fight price hikes and to stand in the coming election using the party's logo.
Day 2–4 June 2011
Around 150 delegates and observers were involved in intense party discussion which was closed door. The day started with the Party Secretary General, S.Arutchelvan delivering his 45 minutes reports outlining party's program and organizational issues in the last one year. He highlighted 6 political scenario in the upcoming general election.
As Socialists, the party members were in the front line on all issues affecting the masses - Struggle for minimum wage act, Selangor water protest, ISA protest, fighting the government's neo-liberal policies including FTA, fighting against draconian labour law amendments, withdrawal of subsidies, protest increasing education fee and organizing an environmental protest. It was a year filled with massive struggle with PSM playing key role in each of them.
Yet, the year is also marred with black moments like the murder of comrade Bala, a lawyer who fought for justice and was murdered violently and the murderer is still out there !
The second debate was on the an analysis on tThe role and influence of the royalty in the national politics. Prof Azmi Sharon and Comrade Choo Shinn Chei gave their analysis based on historical perspective and legal understanding.
The afternoon was spend with more reports on branch performance as well as reports by Bureau heads.
Motions – approved, dismissed, withdrawn and adjourned
This year 28 motions were tabled by branches and party fronts on 8 wide topics covering Organisation, party structure, party newspaper, elections, party policies, programs, propaganda and analysis.
17 motions were approved, 5 dismissed, three withdrawn and another three deferred. Among the motion approved is to increase Party membership by 20%, to organize Young People Left Forum, to establish a mechanism to strengthen branch level leadership, to participate in local level election, not to compromise in standing in elections using party's own logo, to campaign on public transportation and to apply registration for the party's newspaper.
This lively debate chaired by Sivan only ended around 1am.
The Party Election sees new faces and more women elected
The party's election was conducted by Comrade Cecilia in which there were contest for all positions except the Party's top four positions which remained unchanged. Dr. Nasir Hashim, M. Saraswathy, S. Arutchelvan and Sivarajan retained their positions after their contesters withdrew. However, for the remaining 9 position of the Central Committee, 17 candidates contested. Dr. Jeyakumar came out tops including 3 other incumbents. New central committee members chosen were Simon, Soh Sook Hwa, Kohila and Sugumaran.
Other positions that were challenged were the Deputy Secretary General and Deputy Honorable Treasurer's posts. The result for the first time put women in the Central Committee to almost 50%. The election also elected new disciplinary board committee as well as new auditors.
12 Resolutions passed
At the final day, 12 resolutions were passed among them calling for the Government to stop subsidy cuts, introduce minimum wage of RM 1,500, supporting Bersih 2 rally and calling for all draconian anti democratic laws to be repealed.
The closing ceremony was another round of speeches and pledge to work harder. The Internationale ended the party's 13 congress. PSM looks forward to yet another challenging year.
Long Live Socialism !
Down down Capitalism !
Long live the Revolutions
!
Workers of the World unite
!
With clenched fist... the delegates shouted the slogans.
D. Letchimi Devi
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