Archive for September, 2007

28
Sep

3,000 Burmese march in the streets of Kuala Lumpur

Categories: Migrants & Refugees and Southeast Asia

BURMESE RED MARCH IN THE STREETS OF KUALA LUMPUR

Kuala Lumpur, 28 September 2007

This morning, more than three thousand Burmese protesters , most of them wearing red marched in the street of Kuala Lumpur. They walked from Ampang Park to the Burmese Embassy, 2 kilometers away. There they had a very organized peaceful demonstration facing the local Riot police who were guarding the Embassy. Then they proceeded to the Chinese Embassy and the Russian Embassy to hand over a memorandum.

The demonstration was a joint effort of nine Burmese Organization here. Most of the protesters wore headscarf, carried posters and banners denouncing the military junta, calling for the killing to stop and demanding for democracy. Many also carried symbols symbolizing Buddha and portraits of Aung Sang Suu Kyi.

Only a handful of Malaysian were among the crowd to give solidarity. PSM’s Secretary General S.Arutchelvan in solidarity marched with the protesters to the three protest points. Among some of the organization present were SUARAM, AI and HAKAM. The protesters were very disciplined, very organized and had the entire program carried with such discipline and precision. They marshals kept the crowd in control. Many protesters took leave while in some places, the employer had to shut down the business today as almost all the workers were gone demonstrating. Most of those present today expressed anxiety about the situation back home.  The spirits were high throughout the program. The Malaysian police force who came in full force were amazed by the mobilization by the Burmese and maintained traffic control as well was very restrained.

It was a day when the diverse Burmese community came down with one message – Junta out ! Democracy Now !

27
Sep

PSM Statement on Burma – Stop Repression

Categories: Southeast Asia

PRESS STATEMENT :  27 SEPTEMBER 2007

STOP REPRESSION!

DEMOCRACY IN MYANMAR NOW !

Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) strongly condemn the violent repressions of Myanmar Junta against anti-government protesters which resulted in a raising number of casualties.  PSM is alarmed and concerned with news reports that Burmese soldiers have used baton and tear gas against the Buddhist monks and civilian protesters at Shwedagon pagoda, the holiest Buddhist place in Rangoon and elsewhere. We also hear that hundreds of people have been arrested and taken away in trucks. The number of people killed varies from five to eight till now. Key leaders have been arrested and curfews have also been imposed. Yet, we continue to hear the heroic struggle of the people in marching on for change. We salute the brave people of Myanmar at this very juncture of history.

The military junta government which currently rules the country is illegitimate as it was installed after a bloody coup and suppression of people uprising in 1988. The junta government has continuously suppressed the working class, students and other ethnic minorities and severely curbed civil liberties.

The violent clampdown against the protesters is another evident of the bloody rule of military and business oligarchy in Myanmar.

The recent waves of anti-junta protests arise from the decision of the government to increase the fuel of price between 300% to 500%. It definitely impacted the majority of Myanmar people who live in poverty. Despite threats from the government, people of Myanmar including Buddhist monks, have taken a courageous step to go to the streets and protest against the undemocratic junta government. The economic demands have rapidly spilled and have now become political demands calling for the military junta to restore democracy. The demonstration which started by the Buddhist monks’ have now become a huge movement with the support of the ordinary people with mobilization numbering more than 100,000.

PSM also condemn the inability of the The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) government to deal with this issue. ASEAN Secretary General Ong Keng Yong merely stated that ASEAN hoped that “the situation remains peaceful”. ASEAN Governments have merely called on the Junta to handle the situation rather than condemning the atrocities committed by the military regime. Each of these Government too are more worried of similar uprisings due to neoliberal policies back home.

PSM calls upon the government of Malaysia to break its diplomatic ties and economic cooperation with Myanmar government, until democracy has been restored in Myanmar. Malaysia should also close down its embassy in Myanmar immediately and send back the Myanmar ambassador back home.

PSM would also like to point out the hypocrisy of imperial power like the US and Britain in dealing with Myanmar. While people die and suffer violence daily in Iraq and Afghanistan due to the presence of US and British troops, The Bush and Brown administration is unashamedly talking about democracy in Myanmar.

PSM extends our solidarity to the brave people of Myanmar who are now struggling for a better future of their country. The current protest movement shows that the people of Myanmar are fed-up and have decided to challenge till the end. No power in the world is stronger than the united movement of the people.  PSM believes that only the peoples’ resistance from below can put an end to the dictatorship. We in Malaysia are inspired by the resistance put up by the common people and await the victory which would eventually have to come.

Long Live the Uprising!

Choo Chon Kai

International Bureau
Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)

27
Sep

When lawyers take the road of ordinary people

Categories: ISA, Police & The Judiciary

2000 LAWYERS MARCHED BEATING POLICE BLOCKADES AND HEAVY RAIN

Putrajaya,  26 September 2007

If lawyers are coming to the street, then something is very wrong, said Ms. Ambiga, the Bar Council’s President when she addressed the Malaysian Bar members who gathered today since 10am at the Palace of Justice in Putra Jaya.

The recent video-clip, a conversation between corporate lawyer, V.K. Linggam and the current Chief Justice, Ahmad Fairuz on fixing the appointment of senior judges exposed by the de-facto Party Keadilan leader, Anwar Ibrahim on 19/09/2007 has raised outcry from many groups including the Bar Council Members and Party Socialist Malaysia (PSM).

PSM was one of the first to demand (Press Statement, 21/9/07) for the immediate suspension of the Chief Judge, Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim and a tribunal be set up to investigate him and all other judges associated and appointed by him. At Palace of Justice today, Party Secretary General, S. Arutchelvan said , “ This is one of the historical event in Malaysia’s history,  boosted by the uprising of the monks in Burma as well as the lawyers in Pakistan.

The lawyers march from Palace of Justice to the Prime Minister’s Department about 3 kilometers away wedged from 11am till 1.00pm because the police set up about 4 blocks on the road leading to the Palace. In fact 7 buses organized by the Bar were blocked. But the brave lawyers led by Edmond, Amer and Rajan and hundreds others defied the block and walked 5 kilometers to join the rest.

 

Putrajaya Police Chief, Supt Abdul Razak Abdul Majid during negotiation with Ragu Kesavan, the Vice-President of the Bar Council and PSM Secretary General S. Arutchelvan said that there is an order not to allow the march and said that he would only allow five representatives to go to the PM office. The Police Chief was told off and the march would go on and if they police wanted, they can arrest the people. The Police and the orders behind them clearly wanted  to stop this march at all cost.

And true to that, about 4 trucks of FRU were also on standby at one corner of the Palace.  When everyone was getting anxious of waiting for almost 3 hours under the hot sun, suddenly we heard chanting coming from one corner, “Who are we—Malaysian Bar; What do we want-Justice, then we saw a group of lawyers led by Amer Hamzah & Edmund Bon- the Protest Organizers marching with banners calling for a Clean Judiciary. They were welcomed with thunderous applauses from the others.

 

Immediately after that, the Great Walk for Justice led by Council Members of the Bar started. Members of NGO groups, trade unionists, opposition political party members as well as concerned individuals took part in the Walk. Among leaders seen were PSM’s Chairperson Dr. Nasir Hashim, DAP Secretary General Lim Guan Eng and MTUC President Syed Shairil. The walk was accompanied by chanting. About 3 attempts by police to stop the crowd from walking obviously failed. The walk just moved on with the momentum.

Many who present today were definitely thrilled with the number of lawyers turned up and one activist and lawyer, Comrade K. Arumugam said that this clearly shows that awareness is creeping among the lawyers and they believe in creating a better judiciary. Dr. Hatta, the PAS treasurer said that he is impressed with the lawyers’ crowd. He added, “This is a serious issue, interference in the promotion of judges, today we are sending a clear message to the government. Mere 3 people committee set up by the government is not sufficient we need an independent Royal Commission to investigate the entire Judiciary which is tainted since 1988”

Compared to many other demonstrations or rallies organized by People Base Organizations like JERIT and political parties like PSM and PAS, today we did not witness much speeches from the lawyers and there were only 3 banners visible though 2,000 lawyers were present. There were even some among the legal profession who were cynical of this march and put forward many demands to derail and undermine the march. Yet, all credit and applause have to go to the leadership of the Bar Council and the brave lawyers who came to the street today which must be seen as a giant step in redeeming the Judiciary as well as the Bar. The move by the lawyers today can best be summed by the words of Comrade Kattayah, an ex-unionist who said, “it is good to see lawyers, the upper class taking the path of ordinary people!”

Upon arriving at the main entrance of the Prime Minister’s ‘Palace’, about 3 trucks of FRU and police officers were guarding the PM’s Palace as though the crowd is going to march right through them!  The orderly and organized crowd then gathered at least 300meters away while a delegation of about 5 Council Members went in to submit the memorandum.

Few minutes after their departure, light rainfall stirred the moment but the crowd welcomed it and stood the ground. The chanting continued even when the downpour became heavier. After about an hour soaking in the rain, finally the delegation came out. Despite the rain, Ambiga addressed the crowd saying that the 2000 lawyers rallied today has made an important impact towards cleaning the judiciary as a matter of public interest! It seems, the Prime Minister was out of the country and on his behalf, his political secretary took the memorandum from the delegates. Though the Bar Council is appreciative of the government’s effort to set up a committee of 3-member to investigate the authenticity of the video-clip, they demand the government to set up a Royal Commission to investigate the independence of Judiciary and appointment of judges. The event today ended with the Bar members releasing white balloons as symbol of peace & justice.

PSM has previously raised the issues on the Independence of the Judiciary and the role of the Judiciary in protecting the rights and livelihood of the ordinary working class. Today, these views became more meaningful as only a very few, exclusive, powerful people with business interest have determined the selection of the top judges in this country. It is time for the masses to arise and question the integrity and credibility of our judiciary, which is obviously under the control of their political masters and Business partners. 

Today’s action by the Malaysian Bar members is timely, sensible and correct….correct….correct! 

Released by,

Letchimi Devi

25
Sep

Rousing Support as PSM Announces Election Plans!

Categories: Perak and Selangor

Ipoh, 22 September 2007

More than a thousand, two hundred people packed the Tow Boo Keong Hall in Ipoh making it the most successful annual Fund raising dinner organized by PSM Perak since its first annual dinner started seven years ago. The dinner was a resounding success and was so overwhelming that for the first time in its seven-year span, tables had to be placed upstairs to accommodate the guests. Supporters came from all walks of life – urban pioneers, factory workers, plantation workers, farmers, students, all organized by the PSM and its fronts, as well as representatives from NGOs and political parties, friends and professionals.

The programme itself was vibrant, starting with the singing of the Internationale, by representatives of the different sectors, all holding the red PSM flag high. Speeches were made by PSM Chairperson, Dr Nasir Hashim who said that workers must realize that without capitalism, the workers can prevail but without workers, capitalism will collapse. This speech was followed by many other speeches and many more performances and songs.

The highlight of the day which got the most thunderous applause was when PSM National Election Director, Comrade Segar, took the stage to introduce the PSM comrades who will contest in 7 seats in the next general elections. Comrade Nasir Hashim handed over red flags to the election director of each of these area’s election machinery, to symbolize the trust and immense responsibility the party placed in each area the party would be contesting. The seven areas are all in the state of Perak and Selangor. As said by the Party’s Secretary General, the party’s target and strategy is to think small but try to win big in one or two seats to bring back socialist assemblymen back in electoral political scene.

This announcement was followed by another significant announcement – the opening of the PSM Jelapang Branch in Ipoh. Two pro-tem members of the branch, Heam Miew Seam and Chin Ko Youn, came onto the stage to receive the party flag.

No PSM dinner event is complete without its drama which gives an analysis of current issues. This year’s drama portrayed the endless assaults by the pro-capitalist government on the people in the form of oil-price hikes, privatization of water and hospitals, the FTA, anti-worker laws etc, and exhorted the people to vote courageously for change. The cast of 15, largely from the youth wing of the PSM, put up a commendable performance.

The many banners, all used in demonstrations in the last one year, and displayed inside the hall resonated with the message of the drama. The PSM in the course of the last one year had led many campaigns against the neo-liberal assault on the people and had mobilized to protest on many of the issues.

PSM Party leaders such as Comrade Saraswathy, Rani Rasiah, Kumar, S.Arutchelvan and area representatives gave speeches on numerous issues. PAS and Keadilan leaders also presented a speech each.

50 years on Independence of Malaya as well as suppression and continues assault on the socialists over the years had created a huge gap and fear among the people. The suppression of the left though massive failed to eradicate the ideas and the historical truth of classes and class struggle. Socialism as an ideology returned with the formation of the Parti Sosialis Malaysia in 1998. Socialism had become taboo, systematically misrepresented, and its proponents forcefully suppressed by the ruling elite. But to the founders of the PSM, it was the only ideology that could free the working class from the shackles of economic and political exploitation, and build a more humane society. There were many critics, and even some members of the Malaysian left who called us a foolhardy bunch destined to die a premature death.

The PSM dinner in its seventh year was a confirmation of the relevance of socialism and an indicator of the extent of public support for the programmes of the PSM.

Long Live Socialism
Long Live PSM
by R.Rani

25
Sep

We have launched our new website!

Categories: Issues

Welcome to our new blog! Bangkitlah, Malaysia!

Berita Terkini (SMS/Twitter)

    Follow PSM on Twitter

    Articles

     

    September 2007
    M T W T F S S
    « Mar   Oct »
     12
    3456789
    10111213141516
    17181920212223
    24252627282930