Socialist Party of Malaysia
Profile
The Socialist Party of Malaysia (SPM) was formed in 1998. Its main priorities are organising plantation workers, factory workers, squatters and the urban poor. Party leader Mohd. Nasir Hashim presents the main elements of the party platform. • The capitalist system that is the backbone of national and international development continues to destroy humanity and human values whereby the people become commodities to be auctioned off in the daily market. This system in all its harshness and sophistry is also successful in making it a source of profit for the influential and powerful few and in the process destroys the environment (which sustains all living creatures of this earth • The national and world's wealth is plundered, confiscated and monopolised by the few (individualistic or monopolistic capitalism) and hoarded by the State (State capitalism, Socialism with the iron fist'). Both these systems continue to exploit and divide their people. They continue to destroy humanity and the environment. • We wish to embark on a new direction, a new horizon. We wish to create a balance whereby the crux for all forms of development will be 'Socialism with a human face'. As such all activities revolve around relationships that are mutually beneficial and destined to protect the environment. • We wish to grow according to our abilities and the needs of our people who will continually be equipped with resources and up to date information. Such efforts will enable them to achieve their full potential and subsequently prepare them to move their nation into a New World. We wish to focus upon the welfare of our people to ensure that the strength and spirit of humanity becomes the instinct and the culture of the Malaysian race. • We do not wish to compete with other countries just to fulfil the ego of our leaders, while squandering the people's money. Better to strengthen people's belief and confidence in themselves as the backbone to all forms of development. With the unity and mature analysis we receive from such discipline we wish to interpret this world and simplify the impossible.
The capitalist system of development denigrates democracy, justice and freedom and debases the values of humanity. A brand of socialism that derives its strength from the values of humanity (with all other human activities revolving around it) will correct such decay. Malaysian politics is dominated by the unattractive choice between the authoritarian protectionism of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed, and the neo-liberal proposals of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. Objectives
The survival of this Socialist Party of Malaysia does not depend upon its participation in elections. The role of socialists covers a much wider spectrum than this, that is, the generation of activities to ensure that the people understand their role as the backbone to national development and not merely to support a few people competing to enrich themselves to the detriment of the welfare and the rights of the people.
The role of socialists is to collectively create an environment where exploitation cannot grow, where the abuse of the nation's property and wealth cannot occur, and where the people are not divided. We are proud of the fact that this unique country is blessed with different races, religions, cultures and ideas.
Our instructions and actions are the product of consultations and collective decisions and motivated by needs but not to fulfil the selfish needs of individuals or specific groups of individuals. All activities will continue to uphold human dignity as propounded by all religions and the need to lead a morally decent life. Activities
We will initiate programmes on the basis of such dynamic activities that not only will resolve the issues of the day but also will take into account their effects on the future generations. In short, these programs will effect changes appropriate to its times (evolutionary/reformist) and at the same time prepare the people mentally for such extraordinary change (revolutionary/total change) which in fact is already inherent within such dynamic activities in society. As such the people are already preparing themselves for such change as it is clear that their minds are constantly sharpened to handle new change.
The Socialist Party exists not merely to voice the sufferings of the people but will initiate concrete programs that will benefit the entire people especially those who are being exploited. • This party has no intention of challenging or denigrating existing political parties but merely to strengthen the socialist ideology that is capable of fulfilling the needs of the people. • This party wishes to prove its capability to move society to ensure that the people will be truly acknowledged as the backbone to the social and economic aspects of the country.
Our membership is drawn from the various races and religions that make up this unique society. We offer ourselves to serve the people and will cooperate with individuals and organisations that truly wishes to serve the people. *
Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) 72B Taman Sri Langat Jalan Reko 43000 Kajang Selangor Malaysia 16 90 Note: The author leit the Parti Rakyat Malaysia (Peoples Party) when it dropped its in the 1980s. In 1998 he helped found the Socialist Party of Malaysia (Parti Sosialis Malaysia -SPM). He was detained without trial in 1987/BK1 International Viewpoint #314 September 1999 21
lIRE needs $20,000 for In the past many of you have helped generously to support our work. Can we count on you now to see us through this difficulty?
• Dutch guilders: bank transfer to Netherlands
Postbank (giro) account #2079557, IRE,
Just as we were congratulating ourselves on our • German marks: account n° 17 495 011, BLZ financial stability, we suddenly face a major, 365 601 96, P. Berens, Volksbank Oberhausenunexpected expense. Our permit to house Mülheim, earmarked 'IRE' students and lecturers in our 24 rooms has • US$: Checks (tax-deductible) to 'Center for expired, and the Amsterdam fire inspectors have Changes', marked 'International Fund - IRE'.
given us a list of additional safety measures we must take in order to have our permit renewed. • Swiss francs: acct. 40-8888-1, COOP Bank,
The list includes installing an alarm system 266233.290005-6, Förderverein des Studienzencovering the whole building and communicating trums, marked 'E. Mandel/lIRE'.
directly with the fire department. The cost will be at least 40,000 Dutch guilders (US$20,000). International Institute for Research and Education (IRE),
These are legal requirements. Our hope now is Postbus 53290, 1007 RG Amsterdam, The Netherlands that we will not have to finance this work by Tel: +31 20 6717263, Fax: 6732106 cutting back on our sessions or publications. E-mail: IIRE@Antenna.nl
India/Pakestan
No War!
The Communist Party of India (M-L-Liberation) issued the following statement during the Kashmir confrontation with Pakistan. 66 The Kargil development have exposed much of the official saffron [Hindu fundamentalist] propaganda concerning Kashmir and Indo-Pakistan relations as a
There is a clamour for banning the programmes of Pakistan TV in India and even anembargo on the beaming of world cup cricket matches so that the nation's attention is not diverted from Kargil!
The Left must hold high the banner of peace and appeal to democratic forces in both India and Pakistan to prevail over their respective governments and prevent the outbreak of a fourth Indo-Pakistan war.
Heightened tension and continuing air-strikes may also create a Yugoslavia-
Pakistan
type situation in India leading to more direct imperialist intervention in the region.
All genuine patriots must therefore fight for a return to peaceful bilateral diplomacy between India and Pakistan to stop infiltration in Kargil and work out a phased negotiated settlement of the Kashmir question. * Source: Liberation-CPI (ML)
Workers condemn war veritable bundle of lies.
The ruling party's claim of the grand success of Prime Minister Vajpayee's bus diplomacy [opening a direct bus route to Pakistan] and the Lahore Declaration [a vague promise to control the arms race] sounds a mischievous mockery.
What was paraded as the greatest achievement of the Vajpayee government is now turning out to be a big diplomatic fiasco...
For the Vajpayee government, Operation Vijay [the Indian military response] is first of all a political move. The aim is to whip up war hysteria and sweep away all pressing issues before the people under the carpet of jingoism.
In the name of tackling a war-like situation, the saffron establishment is seeking political sanction for its own fascist agenda. Politicisation of the armed forces has reached threatening proportions. Army bosses are not only daily briefing the media, they are also reported to be attending meetings of the ruling BJP party.
Most political contenders of BJP are also contributing to the intensification of war-hysteria by trying to beat the government in the field of jingoism.
fire safety
22 International Viewpoint #314 September 1999
Farooq Suleria On June 25, 500 workers attending the annual general meeting of Itehad (Unity) Carpet Industry Workers Union of Pakistan condemned the war efforts of the ruling classes of both Pakistan and India.