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Solidarity with the people of Turkey: Everywhere is Taksim!
Malaysian Socialist Party (PSM) Statement - June 4, 2013
The resistance in Gezi Park was organised as a peaceful protest against cutting down of trees in the park to pave way for the construction of a shopping mall. But recent development has shown that it has already gone beyond just a humble environmentalist protest but mass uprising against police brutality and repressive rule of AKP government led by Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The current wave of "Resistanbul" or "Turkey's Summer" of discontent has shared the same root cause of the Arab Spring, which is social inequality entrenched in the global capitalist system coupled with repressive regimes that protect the interests of super-rich.
The AKP government came into power in 2002 after sweeping victory in general election and won two consecutive elections since then. Erdogan government enjoyed popular support for its populist reforms and steady economic growth for the last decade. But the recent events revealed that there is a deep social contradiction hidden behind the "prosperity" of booming economy of the country. Despite of fast and uninterrupted growing economy, the gap between rich and poor remains wide. The richest 20 percent of Turkey's 75 million people accounted for more than a half of national income, whereas the poorest 20 percent had just 6 percent. Lopsided tax system that draws two-thirds of its revenue from regressive tax like sales tax up to 18% on most goods and services, rather than progressive taxation that requires the rich to pay higher taxes, has contributed to the inequality in Turkey. Suppression of trade unions and high employment rate (8-9%) also among factors that contributing to social disparity and fuelling alienation and disenfranchisement among ordinary people.
Since AKP came into power since 2002, despite its populist measures, the regime also developed a "class of looters" that includes tycoons and entrepreneurs who have close links to the ruling regime. It is this class of ruling elites that had their hands in most of the notorious and destructive development projects. The recent resistances developed following brutal crackdown on Occupy Gezi exposed deep contradiction between the ruling class and ordinary masses. Taksim Square in Istanbul has historical significance for the struggles of working class in Turkey and now become the symbol of resistance against injustices.
Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) expresses its solidarity the people of Turkey who are striving hard for freedom and justice in the recent upsurge. PSM also condemns brutal crackdown of Turkish government on protesters across the country.
The courageous struggle of ordinary people in Turkey has shown to the world again that people have power to change the society. Everywhere is Taksim!
Released by,
Choo Chon Kai
International Bureau, Socialist
Party of Malaysia/Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)
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