Socialist Party of Malaysia

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Political party in Malaysia

Socialist Party of Malaysia

Malay name| Parti Sosialis Malaysia
ڤرتي سوسياليس مليسيا
Chinese name| 馬來西亞社會主義黨
马来西亚社会主义党
Mǎláixīyà Shèhuì Zhǔyì Dǎng
Tamil name| மலேசிய சோசியலிஸ்ட் கட்சி
Malēciya Cōciyalisṭ Kaṭci
Abbreviation| PSM
Chairman| Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj
Founded| 30 April 1998
Legalised| 19 August 2008
Split from| Parti Rakyat Malaysia
Headquarters| 140, Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur
Newspaper| Sosialis
Think Left
Socialist Perspectives (yearly)
Youth wing| Pemuda Sosialis (Socialist Youth)
Ideology| Socialism
Democratic socialism
Left-wing populism
Progressivism
Political position| Left-wing
National affiliation| Electoral pact
Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (since 2023)
Colours|  Maroon
Slogan| Pilih Suara Marhaen
(Choose the Commoners' Voice)
Bersama Membina Kuasa Rakyat
(Together Building People's Power)
Dinamik, Berani, Berprinsip
(Dynamic, Courageous, Principled)
Anthem| Internasionale
Dewan Negara:|

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Dewan Rakyat:|

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Dewan Undangan Negeri:|

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Party flag
Website
partisosialis.org

* Politics of Malaysia
* Political parties
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* * *

Socialist Party of Malaysia on Facebook

The Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM, Malay: Parti Sosialis Malaysia; Chinese: 马来西亚社会主义党; Tamil: மலேசிய சோசியலிஸ்ட் கட்சி), is a socialist political party in Malaysia and an offshoot of Parti Rakyat Malaysia, which originally upheld the same ideology. In its first ten years following its founding in 1998, the party was denied registration as a political party by the Federal Government of Malaysia. The original reason given was that PSM is a threat to national security. However, the Home Ministry gave them the green light in June 2008.

## History

[edit]

This article is part of a series on the

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### The end of PSRM (1990)

[edit]

The last socialist party to exist in Malaysia, Parti Sosialis Rakyat Malaysia, reverted their name to Parti Rakyat Malaysia in 1990 before merging with Parti Keadilan Rakyat in 2003.

### Formation of PSM (1990–1998)

[edit]

In 1991, several grassroots based organisations working with the urban and rural poor in Malaysia started to form an alliance. In 1994, they staged a massive Labor Day demonstration at the heart of Kuala Lumpur surprising many people. The last major demonstration called by the working class in the capital city was in the 1970s.

In 1995, these grassroots organisation who already had their strong support among the plantation workers, the urban poor, and industrial workers formed an alliance and the idea for a political party to represent the aspirations of the poor and the marginalised was mooted. The election results in 1995 hastened this process and after years of discussion and consolidations, it was finally agreed that a party with socialist ideology was needed to liberate the masses from their current conditions.

With this in mind, the groups took more than two and the half years to draft the party's constitution, which was ready by the end of 1997. After further consultation with the masses, on 1 May 1998, the new party known as the Socialist Party of Malaysia was officially put for registration.

#### Legal status

[edit]

The Federal Government had refused to recognise PSM since the latter's formation. The government had rejected the party's application to register as a political party alleging that PSM was a threat to national security. However, because the right to form a political party is guaranteed in the constitution, the PSM took the government and the Home Minister to court for abusing their power. Although the Court of Appeal dismissed the national security argument on 16 August 2006, it upheld a separate reason to deny the registration of the PSM as a political party. PSM then filed an appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision to the Federal Court of Malaysia. However, on 17 June 2008, the Home Ministry approved PSM's application as a political party just before Federal Court proceedings started, ending a 10-year dispute.[1][2]

### 1999 general election

[edit]

In 1999, the party decided to contest in the year's general election. Since PSM was not registered, it had to contest under some other party's logo. In 1999, the candidates contested under a Democratic Action Party's ticket. The main intention was to popularise the party. The party lost in its seat but managed to reduce the opponent's majority by 10,000 votes.

### 2004 general election

[edit]

PSM candidates fielded for the 2004 general election.

In the 2004 general election, PSM had to contest on the logo of another party, Parti Keadilan Nasional (now known as Parti Keadilan Rakyat).

### 2008 general election

[edit]

Three PSM members contested in the 2008 general election under the Keadilan ticket and one as an independent. Two of these candidates won PSM's first ever political seats.

Candidate Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj won PSM's first ever federal parliamentary seat by defeating then president of Malaysian Indian Congress and long-serving Minister of Works Samy Vellu in Sungai Siput. PSM's president Mohd Nasir Hashim won the Kota Damansara seat in the Selangor state legislative assembly.

Although S. Arutchelvan lost, PSM's election campaigning resulted in an increase in membership in Semenyih. The remaining member who contested Jelapang as an independent was M. Sarasvathy.[3]

### 2013 general election

[edit]

The two PSM incumbents, Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj and Nasir Hashim, recontested their seats in the 2013 general election under Keadilan. Jeyakumar retained the PSM's parliamentary seat of Sungai Siput but PSM president Nasir lost the Kota Damansara state seat to a United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) candidate, after a PAS member split the opposition vote.

Another two PSM members, S. Arutchelvan and M. Sarasvathy, also recontested the same seats but this time under the PSM ticket.

### 2018 general election

[edit]

For the 2018 general election, PSM competed in their largest turnout (~2% of available Parliamentary + State seats); this consisted of five federal constituencies and 14 state constituencies. All PSM candidates for this general election competed under PSM name and logo, as opposed to the previous elections.[4] Unlike in previous elections, the then chairman Nasir Hashim announced that he was not running in the 2018 election.

PSM did not succeed in winning any seats this election and lost the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat it held since 2008.

### 2023 state election

[edit]

On 15 July 2023, PSM and Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) announced a political alliance for the 2023 state elections as the "third choice" for voters "who are unhappy and bored with the politicians now and want to protest."[5]

In July 2024, the party held its 26th annual congress, at which Sivaranjani Manickam was elected secretary-general replacing A Sivarajan.[6]

## Leadership

[edit]

* Chairman
* Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj
* Deputy Chairman
* S. Arutchelvan
* Secretary-General
* Sivaranjani Manickam
* Deputy Secretary-General
* K.S. Bawani
* Treasurer
* Soh Sook Hua
* Assistant Treasurer
* S. Madhavi
* Central Executive Committee members
* Arveent Kathirtchelvan
* Chong Yee Shan
* Choo Chon Kai
* Gandipan
* Karthiges Rajamanickam
* Nik Aziz Afiq
* Parames Elumalai
* Sivarajan A
* Suresh Kumar
* PSM Youth Chief
* Danny Villenguez

## Ideology

[edit]

According to their official website, PSM is only eight years old[as of?] but has working experience with the masses that goes back more than fifteen years[as of?]. Over the years, the party's three main front organisations had established more than a hundred sub-fronts. PSM strength lies in its work done with the masses especially the plantation workers, the urban poor, the Industrial workers and the peasants. The party also collaborates with the progressive student movement. PSM remain today perhaps the only party in Malaysia taking a class line and highlighting the plight of the poor from low wages, forceful eviction to retrenchment. The party has also made some inroads into organising union in the last two year[when?] and have working committees in around 50 factories throughout the country. While civil and political protest are carried out by the mainstream political parties, PSM continues to support and organise pickets, strike and demonstration among the working class.

### Seven-Point Manifesto

[edit]

PSM has a seven-point manifesto which lists the following policies:[7]

1. Workers' rights will be safeguarded (e.g. minimum wage, automatic recognition of workers unions and 90-day maternal leave).
2. The eradication of neo-liberal policies (e.g. halting privatisation of health care, education and other public necessities).
3. Stopping the Free Trade Agreement with western imperial powers.
4. Provide comfortable and humane housing for both rural and urban inhabitants.
5. Stopping racial and religious politics to foster greater unity among the people.
6. Eradication of corruption and abuse of power.
7. Stopping the destruction of the environment.

## General election results

[edit]

Election  | Total seats won  | Seats contested  | Total votes  | Voting Percentage  | Outcome of election  | Election leader

|
|
|
|
|
|

1999 |

0 / 193

| 25  |  |  | ; No representation in Parliament | Mohd Nasir Hashim
2004 |

0 / 219

| 33  |  |  | ; No representation in Parliament | Mohd Nasir Hashim
2008 |

1 / 222

| 11  | 16,458  |  | 1 seat; Opposition coalition
(PR) | Mohd Nasir Hashim
2013 |

1 / 222

| 9  | 21,593  |  | ; Opposition coalition
(PR) | Mohd Nasir Hashim
2018 |

0 / 222

| 5  | 3,782  | 0.03%  | 1 seat; No representation in Parliament | Mohd Nasir Hashim
2022 |

0 / 222

| 5  | 779  | 0.01%  | ; No representation in Parliament (allied with PRM) | Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj

## State election results

[edit]

State election  | State Legislative Assembly

|

Kelantan | Penang | Perak | Pahang | Selangor | Johor | Total won / Total contested
|  |  |  |  |  |  |
2/3 majority  |

2 / 3

2 / 3

2 / 3

2 / 3

2 / 3

|  |

2 / 3

2004  |  |  |

0 / 59

|  |

0 / 56

|  |

0 / 2

2008  |  |  |

0 / 59

|  |

1 / 56

|  |

1 / 3

2013  |  |  |

0 / 59

|  |

0 / 56

|  |

0 / 3

2018  |

0 / 45

0 / 40

0 / 59

0 / 42

0 / 56

|  |

0 / 12

2022  |  |  |  |  |  |

0 / 56

0 / 1

## See also

[edit]

* Category:Socialist Party of Malaysia politicians
* List of political parties in Malaysia
* Politics of Malaysia

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "PSM allowed to register as political party" (fee required). Malaysiakini. 17 June 2007. Retrieved 18 June 2008.
2. ^ "PSM allowed to register as political party". Official Socialist Party of Malaysia website. Retrieved 20 June 2008.
3. ^ Peter Boyle, Electoral break-through to test socialists, Green Left Weekly, 29 March 2008
4. ^ "PSM to contest seats using their own logos, not PKR's".
5. ^ Chan, Julia (15 July 2023). "Muda, PSM join forces for state polls to take a stand against racial politics". Malay Mail. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
6. ^ Vengadesan, Martin (28 July 2024). "Sivaranjani Manickam elected PSM sec-gen". Malaysiakini. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
7. ^ Seven Part Manifesto, Official Socialist Party of Malaysia website. Retrieved 21 August 2010

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Socialist Party of Malaysia on Facebook
* Photo gallery
* Red Ink: Socialist Youth blog

* v
* t
* e

Political parties in Malaysia

Parties represented in the Dewan Negara, Dewan Rakyat and/or State Assemblies

| Pakatan Harapan (PH)|

* Democratic Action Party (DAP)
* People's Justice Party (PKR)
* National Trust Party (AMANAH)
* United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO)

|

Barisan Nasional (BN)|

* United Malays National Organisation (UMNO)
* Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA)
* Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC)
* Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS)

Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS)|

* United Traditional Bumiputera Party (PBB)
* Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP)
* Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS)
* Progressive Democratic Party (PDP)

Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS)|

* Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (GAGASAN)
* United Sabah Party (PBS)
* Homeland Solidarity Party (STAR)
* Love Sabah Party (PCS)
* Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP)
* Sabah People's Hope Party (PHRS)

Perikatan Nasional (PN)|

* Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU)
* Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS)
* Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (GERAKAN)

Other parties|

* Heritage Party (WARISAN)
* Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA)
* Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM)
* Social Democratic Harmony Party (KDM)
* Independent

Parties without representation in the Parliament and State Assemblies

| Friends of Barisan Nasional|

* Malaysia Makkal Sakti Party (MMSP)
* Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress (KIMMA)
* Love Malaysia Party (PCM)
* All Malaysian Indian Progressive Front (IPF)
* Malaysian Indian United Party (MIUP)
* Punjabi Party of Malaysia (PPM)
* Parti Kuasa Rakyat (KUASA)*
* Minority Rights Action Party (MIRA)

|

Perikatan Nasional (PN)|

* Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP)

Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS)|

* United Sabah National Organisation (Baru) (USNO)
* Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)

Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA)|

* Pan-Malaysian Islamic Front (BERJASA)
* Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (PUTRA)
* Parti Perikatan India Muslim Nasional (IMAN)

Other parties|

* Malaysian Indian People’s Party
* Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM)
* Sabah Native Co-operation Party (ANAK NEGERI)
* Malaysia National Alliance Party (IKATAN)
* People's Alternative Party (PAP)
* Malaysian Hope Party (PHM)
* Homeland Fighters' Party (PEJUANG)
* Socialist Alternative (SA)*
* Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM)
* Malaysia National Alliance Party (IKATAN)
* Malaysian People's Progressive Party (myPPP)
* People's Welfare Party (KITA)
* Malaysian United People's Party (BERSAMA)
* Malaysian Advancement Party (KEMAJUAN)
* Sabah People's Unity Party (PPRS)
* Penang Front Party (PFP)
* Malaysian United Party (MUP)
* Malaysian Ceylonese Congress (MCC)
* Sabah Nationality Party (PKS)
* Sabah National People's Unity Organisation (PERPADUAN)
* Sabah Truth Party (KEBENARAN)
* Sabahan Bugis United Party (PBBS)
* Sabah People's Economy Party (PERS)
* Sabah Prosperous Party of Unity Front (SAPU)
* Parti Damai Sabah (SPP)
* Land of the Hornbills Party (PBK)
* Malaysian Science Aspiration Party (SAINS)
* Economic Sarawak United People's Party (PERSB)
* Justice of the Peace Coalition People's Party (PEACE)
* Malaysian Indian Justice Party (MIJP)
* Malaysian National Party (PNM)
* Malaysian Citizen National Party (PNPM)
* Green Party of Malaysia (PHM)
* People First Party (URPARTI)
* Malaysian Arc Party (BAHTERA)
* Barisan Penyatuan Nasional
* Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak (ASPIRASI)
* Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (Baru) (PBDS)
* Parti Sedar Rakyat Sarawak (SEDAR)
* Sarawak for Sarawakian (S4S)
* Sarawak Independent Alliance (SIA)

Defunct parties and coalition

| Defunct coalitions|

* All-Malaya Council of Joint Action (AMCJA)
* Labour Front (LF)
* Socialist Front (SF)
* Alliance Party (AP)
* Malayan Peoples' Socialist Front (SF)
* Barisan Sabah
* Kumpulan Maju (MAJU)
* Angkatan Perpaduan Ummah (APU)
* Gagasan Rakyat (GR)
* Barisan Alternatif (BA)
* Pakatan Rakyat (PR)

|

Defunct former parliamentary parties|

* Malayan Party (MP)
* Sarawak National Party (SNAP)
* Sarawak Native People's Party (PBDS)
* Sarawak Malaysian People's Association (PERMAS)
* Muslim People's Party of Malaysia (HAMIM)
* National Party (Negara)
* Labour Party of Malaya (Lab)
* National Convention Party (NCP)
* Sabah People's United Front (BERJAYA)
* Malaysian Social Justice Party (PEKEMAS)
* Malaysian Democratic Party (MDP)
* Semangat 46 (S46)
* United Sabah National Organisation (USNO)
* United Pasok Momogun Organisation (UPMO)
* United Pasokmomogun Kadazan Organisation (UPKO)
* Sabah National Party (SANAP)
* Sabah Chinese Association (SCA)
* Sarawak Chinese Association (SCA)
* People's Justice Front (AKAR)
* Sarawak People's Energy Party (TERAS)
* United Democratic Party (UDP)
* Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP)
* Muslim League of Malaya (ML)
* National Association of Perak (NAP)
* Radical Party (RADICAL)
* Sarawak People's Organisation (SAPO)
* Sabah Chinese Consolidated Party (SCCP)
* Barisan Ra'ayat Jati Sarawak (BARJASA)
* Parti Pesaka Anak Sarawak (PESAKA)
* Parti Bumiputera Sarawak (BUMIPUTERA)
* Parti Negara Sarawak (PANAS)
* Sabah Indian Congress (SIC)
* United Pasok Nunukragang National Organisation (PASOK)
* Sabah Democratic Party (PDS)

Other defunct parties|

* Independence of Malaya Party (IMP)
* Malayan Communist Party (MCP) (Revolutionary Faction) (Marxist-Leninist)
* Malaysian Marhaen Party (PMM)
* North Kalimantan Communist Party (NKCP)
* Selangor Labour Party (SLP)
* Muslim Community Union of Malaysia (IKATAN)
* Federated Sabah People's Front (BERSEKUTU)
* Social Democratic Party (SDP)
* Province Wellesley Labor Party (PWLP)
* Purtobohan Bumi Putera (PURTOBOHAN)
* Kesatuan Insaf Tanah Air (KITA)
* Independent People's Progressive Party (IPPP)
* Parti Umat Sarawak (UMAT)
* United People's Party (1976) (UPP)
* United Sabah People's Organisation (USPO)
* Sabah People's Democratic Party (SEDAR)
* United Sabah Assembly Party (PUSAKA)
* Parti Anak Jati Sarawak (PAJAR)
* Sarawak People's National Party (PNRS)
* Sarawak United Democratic Party (BERSATU)
* Parti Nasionalis Malaysia (NASMA)
* Parti Bersatu Rakyat Bumiputera Sabah (BERSEPADU)
* Parti Bertindak Rakyat Sabah (BERSIH)
* Sabah Chinese Party (PCS)
* Sabah National Momogun Party (MOMOGUN)
* Sarawak United Labour Party (PLUS)
* Sabah People's Party (PRS)
* Angkatan Keadilan Insan Malaysia (AKIM)
* United Democratic Sabah People's Power Party (SETIA)
* Malaysian Solidarity Party (MSP)
* Democratic Malaysian Indian Party (DMIP)
* Community Coalition Congress (CCC)
* Sabah People's Front (SPF)
* Parti Merdeka Malaysia (PMM)
* Human Rights Party (HRP)
* Parti Perpaduan Masyarakat (PPM)
* Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB)

* denotes non-registered parties

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* List of the winning political parties in the Malaysian general election by parliamentary constituency

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