SOME countries move from relatively democratic systems to more authoritarian ones such as Malaysia in the 1970s. Others from authoritarianism toward democracy. What can the experiences of these other countries tell us about where we go from GE13? And what choices lie ahead of those who want change?
psm
Small parties, big questions
By Shanon Shah(Pic by barunpatro / sxc.hu) POP quiz — how many registered political parties are there in Malaysia? This is not such an easy question to answer. The official website for the Election Commission (EC) of Malaysia says there are 31 registered political parties to date. But a quick browse shows that the EC actually lists […]
Lessons for PR from Manik Urai
By Mohanarani RasiahPAS leaders celebrating the outcome of the Manik Urai by-election on 14 July 2009 THE outcome of the Manik Urai by-election couldn’t have been better. PAS, and by extension the Pakatan Rakyat (PR), won by a narrow margin of 65 votes. They won, but at the same time, PAS lost the huge majority it got […]
PSM: Penang govt must solve Kg Buah Pala issue
By Gan Pei LingPETALING JAYA, 3 July 2009: The Penang government needs to intervene and solve the Kampung Buah Pala issue even though the problem was caused by the previous Barisan Nasional administration, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) said today. “[W]e urge the Pakatan Rakyat government to resolve this issue politically using the mandate given by the people of […]
Staying competitive, but for whom?
By Michael Jeyakumar DevarajON 16 June 2009, the government tabled an amendment to the Inland Revenue Board Act 1995 — a minor amendment that enables the board to meet once every two months, instead of once a month as in the original legislation. However, as is the practice in the Malaysian Parliament, when any amendment is opened for […]
Free market fallacies
By Dr Michael Jeyakumar DevarajMichael Jeyakumar Devaraj, during his speech (pic courtesy of Parti Sosialis Malaysia) THE Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) organised a fundraising dinner at the Petaling Jaya Civic Centre on 9 May 2009 which was attended by some 600 members, friends and supporters. I was invited to give a short speech, and this is what I […]
EC approves PSM logo
By Gan Pei LingPETALING JAYA, 29 April 2009: The Election Commission (EC) has approved Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)’s clenched-fist logo and it can now be used in future elections. (Courtesy of PSM)PSM secretary general S Arutchelvan said the party received the approval letter dated 20 April from the EC on 24 April. PSM sought to register their party […]
Putting my assets on the line
By Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj(Car images by Two Hundred Percent, source: Wikipedia; background image source: Dreamstime.com) I PERSONALLY find declaring one’s assets, as the Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) did at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall on 11 Mar 2009, a little embarrassing. Personal income and wealth are normally considered one’s private domain. Most people would consider it intrusive […]
“Sungai Siput is a PKR seat”
By Elizabeth LooiCorrected on 2 Dec 2008 at 11.30am PETALING JAYA, 3 Dec 2008: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is staking its claim on the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat in Perak and the Kota Damansara state seat in Selangor although the elected representatives are from Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM). Dr Syed Husin AliPKR deputy president Dr Syed Husin […]
Tribute to Saudara Rajakumar
By Michael Jeyakumar DevarajI first met Saudara Dr MK Rajakumar in 1979 as a member of a group of medical students who met up with him for a discussion. He was then the president of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA). What struck me then was his energy and enthusiasm. He challenged us to visit rural areas to understand […]
