Archive for January, 2008

30
Jan

PSM members to defy court ruling!

Categories: Events, Issues and Labour (Buruh)

PRESS STATEMENT : 30 JANUARY 2008

RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE IS FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS !
PSM TO DEFY COURT RULING !

The Thirty-five people including 12 PSM leaders as well as front leaders were charged at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Monday for taking part in an “illegal assembly” on Saturday-26th. January 2008.

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) condemns the arrest and the charge brought against 35 people for participating in a protest against the Government’s imminent move to increase the price of fuel after elections.

The suppressing of the peaceful gathering is further proof of the vulnerability of the Barisan Nasional Government in facing the coming elections. Its action speaks volumes on how the ruling party will try to win and clinch to power.

PSM is also baffled by the Bail conditions set by the Session’s Court judge Mohamad Sekeri Mamat who imposed an additional bail condition that the defendants must not participate in any future ‘illegal assembly’. The condition was proposed by deputy public prosecutor Mohd Yusof Zainal Abidin. With this bizarre ruling, it tantamount that all the accused have already been found guilty even before the trial.

This further confirms the general opinion that the state of the Judiciary is in total shambles and will not be able to give any judgment fairly and impartially.

With this in view, the PSM has decided that the party would defy the court ruling and continue to assemble as the right to assemble is a fundamental human rights which cannot be curtailed by any anyone including any court.

We would continue to challenge this obtuse ruling and continue to defy any ruling or court order which goes against the fundamental liberties of the people. We cannot remain silent and allow kangaroo courts to interpret, deliver justice and curtail our freedom.

S.Arutchelvan
Secretary General.

29
Jan

International Solidarity Messages in Support of Anti-Price Hike Protestors

Categories: Issues

Anti-Inflation Protest

Since the mass arrests during anti-price hike protests last Saturday, Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) has received overwhelming solidarity messages (through e-mails, phone calls and SMS) as well as protest letters sent to Malaysian Government condemning the arrests. These solidarity messages come from groups and individuals all around the world. Groups which have sent their protests include Socialist Alliance (Australia), Committee for a Wrokers’ International (CWI), International Marxist Tendency (IMT), National Liberation Party of Unity (PAPERNAS, Indonesia), KPRM-PRD (Indonesia), swedish Socialdemocratic Party, Left Party Sweden, Youth against Racism in and many more from UK, Austria, Australia, Greece , Thailand and Pakistan.Below just excerpt of some of the solidarity messages:

“We have been informed of the attempt of your government to crack down on the democratic rights to peaceful protests and of the latest arrests of peaceful demonstrators in Malaysia. More than fifty people have been taken into custody while protesting against the massive price rises in Malaysia which are making the lives of working and poor people unbearable. The information we have is that many well-known figures on the left in Malaysian society are being held, including leaders of the Parti Sosialis Malaysia. We condemn this latest round of arrests and the the clampdown by the BN (National Front) government against all opposition, in defiance of basic democratic and human rights.We demand the immediate release of all those arrested and that all charges against them to be dropped.” – Youth against Racism in Europe (YRE), Athens

“The Committee for a Workers’ International, with sections, groups and members all round the world is appalled at the latest arrests of peaceful demonstrators in Kuala Lumpur. More than fifty people have been taken into custody while protesting against the massive price rises in Malaysia which are making the lives of working and poor people unbearable. Why, when the government boasts in the run-up to an election, that the economy is going well, does it authorize the harassment of all those who call for a better deal. The information we have is that many well-known figures on the left in Malaysian society are being held, including leaders of the Parti Sosialis Malaysia. We condemn this latest round of arrests and the the clampdown by the BN (National Front) government against all opposition, in defiance of basic democratic and human rights.We demand the immediate release of all those arrested and that all charges against them to be dropped. If this is not done, we will call for a world-wide campaign of protests.” – Clare Doye, Committee for a Workers’ International (CWI) “I write to protest the detention of 40 activists in the last few days. It is clear to the world that this is a clampdown on demcratic rights in the run-up to the elections in your country. You are attempting to silence and intimidate any dissent. Two of the activists you have arrested (Arul and Selvam) have visited Australia in their political capacities as member of the Malaysian Socialist Party and they have many friends here, in particular in the trade union movement. We pledge to raise continually raise this issue in Australia until they are released. ” – Stephen Jolly, Councillor City of Yarra, Melbourne, Australia”I was told by the site marxist.com about the arrests if 54 activists by the Malaysian police on January 26, after a peaceful protest against fuel price hikes. It seems that 3 of the arrested are already in the main jail. All detainees should be released immediately and without charges!” -Manuel Reichetseder, Linz, Austria “My solidarities are with you and there immediate release is demanded.” – Farhad, Islamabad, Pakistan

“The decline in society’s living standard due to neoliberal policies implemented by the ruling government is a global trend affecting the majority of world’s population. People’s resistance against this threat to their welfare is experiencing its upsurge in Malaysia, particularly as the opposition forces are increasingly united in mass actions against anti-people policies of the ruling Barisan Nasional government. On the other side, the regime still upholds and retains obsolete legislation that stifles basic human rights and democracy such as the Internal Security Act (ISA) to keep suppressing the ever growing movement of the Malaysian people. In the recent months, the world has witnessed a series of protests carried out by the Malaysian opposition that were met with large scale repression by the security forces. On January 26 2008, the Malaysian police once again used excessive force in dismissing peaceful demonstration organised by the opposition under the Coalition Against Inflation (Protes) at the heart of Kuala Lumpur. The security force used the draconian Police Act to circumvent the rights of freedom of assembly and expression under Article 10 of the Malaysian Federal Constitution. At least 54 people were detained by the Police in relation to Protes’ peaceful demonstration. Therefore the National Liberation Party of Unity (Papernas): 1. Condemn the use of force by the Malaysian police and demand the release of all the detainees; 2. Expresses its solidarity with the Coalition Against Inflation (Protes) in its struggle against price hike; 3. Expresses its solidarity with the Malaysian pro-democracy and anti-neoliberal movement that struggle against the Barisan Nasional regime;” – Agus Priono, Chairperson, National Liberation Party of Unity (PAPERNAS), Indonesia “Belum lagi selesai kasus represi terhadap gerakan protes melawan diskriminasi rasial di Malaysia; kini kejadian serupa kembali terjadi. Penangkapan 60 kawan dari berbagai organisasi (utamanya Partai Sosialis Malaysia-PSM) yang bergerak bersama menuntut penurunan harga (inflasi) dan harga BBM, adalah serangkaian bukti terhadap kejahatan pemerintah agen imperialis Badawi terhadap rakyat. Situasi kenaikan harga yang juga sedang kami alami di Indonesia cepat atau lambat akan memanen PROTES terbuka dari rakyat. Tak kan ada satu kekuatanpun yang dapat membendung gelombang perlawanan rakyat menuntut keadilan dan kesejahteraan. Penjara pun tak akan membuat kawan-kawan kami di Malaysia berhenti berjuang menolak kenaikan harga, berjuang untuk menegakkan demokrasi rakyat dan sosialisme. Untuk itu kami, Komite Politik Rakyat Miskin-Partai Rakyat Demokratik (KPRM-PRD) menuntut pihak-pihak yang berwenang untuk: 1. Segera bebaskan kawan-kawan yang ditahan TANPA SYARAT; 2. Turunkan Harga Barang! 3. Ganti Pemerintahan Badawi sekarang demi tegaknya demokrasi sejati di Malaysia.” – Zely Ariane, KPRM-PRD, Indonesia”We would like to express our deepest solidarity towards the comrades that have been arrested in Malaysia when the police attacked a peaceful demonstration against price fuel hikes in Kuala Lumpur a couple of days ago. We would also like to express our strongest protest against the government and authorities in Malaysia who clamps down on basic democratic human rights, such as the right to organize and freedom of expression. We demand the immedeate release of all those arrested and will not hesitate to raise this further in the swedish labour movement.” – Lisa Tångring and Henrik Wolgast, Swedish Socialdemocratic Party, Borlänge, Sweden “I write on behalf of the International Marxist Tendency to let you know that we published the appeal for the immediate release of all activists arrested yesterday: http://www.marxist.com/solidarity-appeals/malaysian-socialist-party-activists-arrested270108.htm. We also sent out a special newsletter to announce it.” – Francesco Merli, International Marxist Tendency

“It has come to my attention trough marxist.com that that the Malaysian authorities have arreste leaders of the Socialist party of Malaysia. I want to protest against this treatment. They should be released at once. I will bring this to the attention of the labour movement in Sweden.” Martin Lööf, Sweden

“I hereby express my condemnation of the arrests of 54 Malaysian demonstrators during the manifestation of the Coalition Against Inflation (Protes) on Saturday 26th, 2008. The fact that the Malaysian government has decided step up repressive measures against popular protests, rather than seeking democratic dialogue, is a worrying trend. It is now urgent to mobilise political support for the demand of immediate relase of the leaders and activists who remain in captivity. ” – Hans Linde, Member of the Swedish Parliament, Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Swedish Parliament”I WANT TO EXPRESS MY SOLIDARITY AND SUPPORT FOR THE WORKERS AND PROSTERS JAILED BY THE REGIME..I EXPRESS MY REPUDIATION OF THE POLICE STATE TACTICS OF THE REGIME AND JUDICIARY. ON TO VICTORY” – James Petras , Professor and Writer, USA

29
Jan

Need to continue pressure Malaysian Government to drop charges against anti-price hike protestors

Categories: Issues

Anti-Inflation Protest

Dear comrades,

We have been receive tremendous solidarity messages and protests against the mass arrest during anti-inflation protest on last Saturday, 27 Jan. Your solidarity messages have made our comrades keeping up the fighting spirit during the detention.

35 people including Arulchelvan (Secretary-General, PSM), Dr Nasir Hashim (Chairperson, PSM), Saraswathy (Vice Chairperson), V. Selvam (Central Committee Member, PSM), Rani (Central Committee Member, PSM) and a dozen more PSM members as well as people from Islamic Party PAS and People Justice Party (PKR). ALL of them have been released yesterday (28 Jan) on RM 1,000 bail.

Session’s Court Judge Mohamad Sekeri Mamat even imposed a ridiculous bail condition – that the defendants must not participate in any ‘illegal assembly’.

This is part of the recent systemic crackdown of National Front Government against fundamental freedom and gearing the country towards “Police State”.

We thanks to all comrades who have send protests for the last two days. We call upon comrades to continue pressure Malaysian government to drop charges against those partiicpate in anti-price hike protest and other previous protests, and urge Malaysian Government to stop the crackdown on freedom of assembly and freedom of expression.

Please send your protest to the following:

1)Prime Minister’s Office Malaysia
  Perdana Putra Building
  Federal Government Administrative Centre
  62505 Putrajaya, Wilayah Persekutuan,
   Malaysia.
 Tel: +603 8888 8000
 Fax: +603 8888 3444

2) Tan Sri Musa Hassan
 Ketua Polis Malaysia (Inspector-General of Police)
   Ibu Pejabat Polis Diraja Malaysia,
   50560 Bukit Aman,
  Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: +603 -22626015
Fax: +603 -22725613
3)  Attorney General’s of Malaysia
   Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail
   Tel: 03-88855004
   E-mail: ag@agc.gov.my
  Fax: 03 – 88889378
Cc:

1)Malaysian Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM)
  Tingkat 29, Menara Tun Razak
  Jalan Raja Laut 50350
  Kuala Lumpur.
  Tel: +603 -26125600
  Fax: +603 -26125620
  Chaiman: Tan Sri Abu Talib Othman

Please send a copy of your letter or solidarity message to int.psm@gmail.com.

26
Jan

Kerajaan BN yang Pengecut Mencabuli Hak Perhimpunan Aman Rakyat lagi!

Categories: Events and Labour (Buruh)

Kenyataan Akhbar
26 Januari 2008

KERAJAAN BN YANG PENGECUT MENCABULI HAK PERHIMPUNAN AMAN RAKYAT LAGI

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) membantah sekeras-kerasnya terhadap tindakan penggunaan keganasan melampau dan penangkapan besar-besaran pihak polis ketika perhimpunan aman yang dianjurkan oleh Gabungan Membantah Kenaikan Harga Barang (PROTES) pada 26 Januari 2008.

PSM menyifatkan tindakan keras kerajaan BN ke atas rakyat yang berhimpun adalah perbuatan pengecut, kerana kerajaan BN takut berdepan dengan rakyat yang berani meyuarakan hak mereka. Perhimpunan tersebut diadakan untuk menyuarakan kesusahan dan ketidakpuasan orang ramai terhadap kos sara hidup yang semakin melambung tinggi pada masa kini. Di bawah Fasal 10 dalam Perlembagaan Malaysia, setiap rakyat Malaysia adalah bebas berhimpun dan bersuara. Namun, polis cuba menakut-nakutkan masyarakat awam sebelum perhimpunan. Polis mengharamkan program ini lalu memberi amaran melalui media dan mendapatkan perintah mahkamah. Lepas itu, bahagian Jalan Ampang depan KLCC ditutup. Bilangan polis yang ramai mengelilingi kawasan tersebut.

Program ini dirancang untuk bermula pada pukul tiga petang. Malah, polis mula menangkap seramai 11 orang termasuk setiausaha agung PSM, saudara Arutchelvan pada lebih kurang 2:35 petang. Sehingga pukul 6 petang hari tersebut, Setiausaha agung PSM, Arutchelvan bersama dua orang lagi telah ditahan dalam penjara Pudu. 

Dalam perjalanan peserta dari Citibank, Jalan Ampang ke tempat perhimpunan aman KLCC, polis tangkap lagi 43 orang. Ramai ahli jawantankuasa pusat PSM termasuk Dr. Nasir Hashim(pengerusi PSM,), Saras (timbalan pengerusi PSM), Selvam (AJK Pusat PSM) dan Rani (AJK Pusat PSM) telah ditahan. Selain itu, Dr. Hatta Ramli, iaitu penyelaras program Protes hari ini bersama aktivis dari PAS dan Keadilan turut ditahan.

PSM mengecam tindakan polis yang menahan begitu ramai orang ini tidak menghormati hak asasi rakyat Malaysia. Kerajaan Barisan Nasional khususnya Kementerian Keselamatan Dalam Negeri yang merupakan pihak atasan Polis Diraja Malaysia seharusnya bertanggungjawab terhadap segala ekoran daripada tindakan polis yang mencabuli hak asasi manusia pada hari ini.

PSM juga membantah cara penahanan polis terhadap aktivis dan orang awam pada hari ini yang begitu ganas dan keras sekali. Seorang wanita telah dipukul oleh polis sehingga pengsan. Ramai pula yang mengalami kecederaan. Malahan, salah seorang bernama Zaid Ibrahim yang ditahan cuma berumur 16 tahun. Apakah rasional polis bersungguh-sungguh berkasar terhadap hak rakyat yang berani bersuara sedangkan hak keselamatan rakyat masih gagal terjamin memandangkan kes jenayah begitu serius? Hal ini membongkar kesungguhan polis dalam mengatasi kes Sharlinie sekarang serupa taktik berlakon sahaja. Rupabentuk angkatan polis diketuai kerajaan Barisan Nasional yang anti-hak rakyat telah ditunjukkan sewaktu perhimpunan Protes pada hari ini. 

Mereka yang ditahan juga dilayan buruk oleh pihak polis. Pihak polis enggan memberi maklumat kepada ahli keluarga dan rakan-rakan yang menunggu di luar Ibu Pejabat Polis Kontinjen Kuala Lumpur. Pihak polis juga melengah-lengah untuk memberi makanan kepada mereka yang ditahan, walaupun rakan-rakan di luar sudahpun membeli makanan untuk mereka.

PSM juga mengingatkan rakyat untuk melihat dengan jelas ke atas peristiwa hari ini dan kesudahannya. Kerajaan Barisan Nasional pasti akan mengulangi taktik mereka semula dengan memaparkan bagaimana perhimpunan ‘ganas’ anjuran parti pembangkang menggugat ekonomi dan budaya kita. Rakyat yang sedar mesti faham kerajaan BN sekarang sudah bangkrup atau tiada penyelesaian dalam menangani masalah utama rakyat yang makin sengsara dengan kos sara hidup yang melambung tinggi, serta krisis perundangan dan sebagainya. Hal ini merupakan sebab kerajaan BN sentiasa memusingkan isu semasa sehingga bertindak ganas terhadap rakyat yang berani menyuarakan masalah dalam program Protes hari ini.

Oleh itu, PSM menuntut supaya semua 54 orang aktivis bersama orang awam yang ditahan oleh polis mesti dilbebaskan tanpa syarat dengan segera.

PSM juga menyeru rakyat Malaysia terus bersatu dan bangkit menentang kezaliman BN secara habis-habisan.
 
Dikeluarkan oleh
Choo Chon Kai
Ahli Jawatankuasa Pusat PSM
019-5669518

26
Jan

Urgent appeal: 54 protesters arrested in relation to a protest against price hikes organised by the Coalition Against Inflation (Protes)

Categories: Economic, Energy & Food Crisis and Selangor

26 January 2008

Urgent Appeal

54 protesters arrested in relation to a protest against price hikes organised by the Coalition Against Inflation (Protes).

The government’s crackdown on peaceful assembly continued, when the police
arrested more then 50 individuals, including opposition leader and supporters near Ampang Park LRT station at about 3pm this afternoon.

Those arrested are reported to be held at the Lumpur Contingent Police Headquarters (IPK Kuala Lumpur) Kuala Lumpur. As of 5.10pm, 54 individuals are confirmed to be detained at IPK Kuala Lumpur. S. Arutchelvan and 2 others were taken to Pudu Jail.

1st batch of arrest made at about 2.35pm. Among those arrested were:

S. Arutchelvan (PSM Secretary General)
Mai Suharah (Female)
Siti Fatimah (Female)
Nor Aziyati (Female)
Aiman (Female)
Nashita (Female)
Hidayat (Female)
Zamri Effendi
Marzuki
Solahuddin
Syed Jaymal

Others who arrested later when they are on their way to KLCC from Jalan Ampang City Bank. Among them are:
12. Badrul Hisham
13. Dino
14. Dr. Nasir Hashim (PSM President)
15. Simon
16. Dr. Hatta Muhd Ramli (PAS)
17. Thevarajan(released at 9.15 pm)
18. Saraswathy (PSM Vice-President)
19. V.Selvam (PSM CC member)
20. Rani Rasiah (PSM CC member)
21. Ganesan (PSM Kajang Branch President)
22. Ramalingam

23. Kartik
24. Gana
25. Vijaya
26. Sugumaran
27. Thinakaram
28. Nehru
29. Kohila Yanesegaran
30. Dr Dzulkifli Ahmad (PAS)
31. Dr. Badrul Amin
32. Mohd Sabo
33. Mohd Yusof
34. Khairul Nizad
35. P. Mohan
36. Thinamaran
37. Ginie Lim
38. Tian chua
39. Johson
40. Zaid Ibrahim (16 year old)
41. Tan ah kau
42. Nuridah Mohd
43. Mohd Azemi Azman
44. Azmi
45. Chou/Chan
46. Isa Mudin
47. Mohd Aminuri
48. Mohd b. Nawi
49. Tan Chee Hooi
50. Fathi Othman
51. Gomathi A/P Gunalan
52. Saravanan A/L Teruma
53. Mohd Azah b. Yaakob
54. Nur Mohd Faizal b. Harun
A full list of arrested civilian is yet to be announced later by the police.

Article 10 of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia guarantees the right to freedom of assembly and expression. However, the draconian Police Act circumvents the right by requiring a permit to be applied from the police for a gathering that is more than three people.
Therefore, PSM call for all the detainees to be released unconditionally and immediately.

For enquiries, please contact Siva +60-16-6798005

*Actions needed*
1) Make a phone call to Kuala Lumpur Police Headquaters and call for a immediate and unconditional release of all detainees.

2) Spread this news and get friends to call to IPK and sent protest letter.

3) Please send your protest to the various Malaysian authorities for clamping down the right to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression of Malaysians. Your protest letters should be sent to the following:
1)Prime Minister’s Office Malaysia
Perdana Putra Building
Federal Government Administrative Centre
62505 Putrajaya, Wilayah Persekutuan,
Malaysia.
Tel: +603 8888 8000
Fax: +603 8888 3444

2) Tan Sri Musa Hassan
Ketua Polis Malaysia (Inspector-General of Police)
Ibu Pejabat Polis Diraja Malaysia,
50560 Bukit Aman,
Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: +603 -22626015
Fax: +603 -22725613
3) Ibu Pejabat Polis Kontinjen Kuala Lumpur (Kuala Lumpur Contingent Police (HQ)
Polis Diraja Malaysia
Jalan Hang Tuah
51100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603 -21460522, +603 -2485522
Fax: +603 -20726786

Cc:
1)Malaysian Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM)
Tingkat 29, Menara Tun Razak
Jalan Raja Laut 50350
Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: +603 -26125600
Fax: +603 -26125620
Chaiman: Tan Sri Abu Talib Othman
Please send a copy to int.psm@gmail.com

26
Jan

Kerajaan BN yang Pengecut Mencabuli Hak Untuk Rakyat Berhimpun Lagi

Categories: Events

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) membantah sekeras-kerasnya terhadap tindakan penggunaan keganasan melampau dan penangkapan besar-besaran pihak polis ketika perhimpunan aman yang dianjurkan oleh Gabungan Membantah Kenaikan Harga Barang (PROTES) pada 26 Januari 2008.

PSM menyifatkan tindakan keras kerajaan BN ke atas rakyat yang berhimpun adalah perbuatan pengecut, kerana kerajaan BN takut berdepan dengan rakyat yang berani meyuarakan hak mereka. Perhimpunan tersebut diadakan untuk menyuarakan kesusahan dan ketidakpuasan orang ramai terhadap kos sara hidup yang semakin melambung tinggi pada masa kini. Di bawah Fasal 10 dalam Perlembagaan Malaysia, setiap rakyat Malaysia adalah bebas berhimpun dan bersuara. Namun, polis cuba menakut-nakutkan masyarakat awam sebelum perhimpunan. Polis mengharamkan program ini lalu memberi amaran melalui media dan mendapatkan perintah mahkamah. Lepas itu, bahagian Jalan Ampang depan KLCC ditutup. Bilangan polis yang ramai mengelilingi kawasan tersebut.

Program ini dirancang untuk bermula pada pukul tiga petang. Malah, polis mula menangkap seramai 11 orang termasuk setiausaha agung PSM, saudara Arutchelvan pada lebih kurang 2:35 petang. Sehingga pukul 6 petang hari tersebut, Setiausaha agung PSM, Arutchelvan bersama dua orang lagi telah ditahan dalam penjara Pudu.

Dalam perjalanan peserta dari Citibank, Jalan Ampang ke tempat perhimpunan aman KLCC, polis tangkap lagi 43 orang. Ramai ahli jawantankuasa pusat PSM termasuk Dr. Nasir Hashim(pengerusi PSM,), Saras (timbalan pengerusi PSM), Selvam (AJK Pusat PSM) dan Rani (AJK Pusat PSM) telah ditahan. Selain itu, Dr. Hatta Ramli, iaitu penyelaras program Protes hari ini bersama aktivis dari PAS dan Keadilan turut ditahan.
PSM mengecam tindakan polis yang menahan begitu ramai orang ini tidak menghormati hak asasi rakyat Malaysia. Kerajaan Barisan Nasional khususnya Kementerian Keselamatan Dalam Negeri yang merupakan pihak atasan Polis Diraja Malaysia seharusnya bertanggungjawab terhadap segala ekoran daripada tindakan polis yang mencabuli hak asasi manusia pada hari ini.

PSM juga membantah cara penahanan polis terhadap aktivis dan orang awam pada hari ini yang begitu ganas dan keras sekali. Seorang wanita telah dipukul oleh polis sehingga pengsan. Ramai pula yang mengalami kecederaan. Malahan, salah seorang bernama Zaid Ibrahim yang ditahan cuma berumur 16 tahun. Apakah rasional polis bersungguh-sungguh berkasar terhadap hak rakyat yang berani bersuara sedangkan hak keselamatan rakyat masih gagal terjamin memandangkan kes jenayah begitu serius? Hal ini membongkar kesungguhan polis dalam mengatasi kes Sharlinie sekarang serupa taktik berlakon sahaja. Rupabentuk angkatan polis diketuai kerajaan Barisan Nasional yang anti-hak rakyat telah ditunjukkan sewaktu perhimpunan Protes pada hari ini.

Mereka yang ditahan juga dilayan buruk oleh pihak polis. Pihak polis enggan memberi maklumat kepada ahli keluarga dan rakan-rakan yang menunggu di luar Ibu Pejabat Polis Kontinjen Kuala Lumpur. Pihak polis juga melengah-lengah untuk memberi makanan kepada mereka yang ditahan, walaupun rakan-rakan di luar sudahpun membeli makanan untuk mereka.

PSM juga mengingatkan rakyat untuk melihat dengan jelas ke atas peristiwa hari ini dan kesudahannya. Kerajaan Barisan Nasional pasti akan mengulangi taktik mereka semula dengan memaparkan bagaimana perhimpunan ‘ganas’ anjuran parti pembangkang menggugat ekonomi dan budaya kita. Rakyat yang sedar mesti faham kerajaan BN sekarang sudah bangkrup atau tiada penyelesaian dalam menangani masalah utama rakyat yang makin sengsara dengan kos sara hidup yang melambung tinggi, serta krisis perundangan dan sebagainya. Hal ini merupakan sebab kerajaan BN sentiasa memusingkan isu semasa sehingga bertindak ganas terhadap rakyat yang berani menyuarakan masalah dalam program Protes hari ini.

Oleh itu, PSM menuntut supaya semua 54 orang aktivis bersama orang awam yang ditahan oleh polis mesti dilbebaskan tanpa syarat dengan segera.

PSM juga menyeru rakyat Malaysia terus bersatu dan bangkit menentang kezaliman BN secara habis-habisan.

Dikeluarkan oleh
Choo Chon Kai
Ahli Jawatankuasa Pusat PSM
019-566951

26
Jan

SG. RINCHING WORKERS CONCLUDE STRUGGLE WITH THE SIGNING OF THE S&P TODAY.

Categories: Issues

Semenyih, 24 January 2008

This morning, around twenty people converged at the Agenda Istimewa site office at Kesuma Lakes. But this time, they were not there to hold another demonstration or protest. They came joyfully to sign the Sales and Purchase Agreement which will enable them to become owners of a low cost house which they obtained it for half price as they were all given compensation of RM 17,000 each.

The signing ceremony today at Semenyih was witnessed by PSM’s Secretary General  S.Arutchelvan and PSM Kajang Chairperson D.Ganesan. With the signing of the S &P, the workers would soon be singing another settlement agreement and then move to their new houses.

Last week, the workers inspected the houses and was very pleased. The housed were fully tiled, three rooms and had separate bathroom and toilet. All the people were offered houses at the ground floor and 1st. floor as per one of the conditions of the settlement. 
 

- 

Background:

The workers were terminated from their jobs by Heah Seok Yeong Realty Sdn Bhd.(HSYR) who gave them notice on the 21/11/1994. The then rubber estate was sold to Agenda Istimewa to convert it into luxury housing project. Since then workers were given eviction notices but they refuse to leave unless they be given alternative permanent homes. They have stayed  three generations in the estate and they will not leave easily without a struggle.

Their plantations were sold to accommodate a RM2 Billion Kesuma Lake project, owned by Nam Fatt Bhd. and developed by Agenda Istimewa Sdn Bhd. The project would accommodate luxury bungalows and high cost houses. Initially the developer refuse to accommodate the demands of the workers. 

The people then with the help of Community Development centre (CDC) formed a committee to fight for housing rights and decent compensation. Their initial demand were low cost terrace houses, alternate temple and compensation.

The workers secured 100 meters around their houses and did not allow the developer to encroach into their land.  There were many struggles and stories on how they manage to prevent the developer from entering near their homes as well as cut the rubber trees.

On the propaganda front, the workers said that it would only cost 0.04 % for the developer to built them houses and it can be recovered by selling just two units of the bungalow.

22
Jan

Tugas kita adalah untuk berjuang – A. Ramayah (1953-2008)

Categories: Analisis

Tugas kita adalah untuk berjuang, tanpa mengharapkan apajua balasan
A. Ramayah 1953-2008

Saya dikejutkan daripada tidur jam 5 pagi hari ini oleh panggilan telefon. Panggilan tersebut bukan sesuatu yang saya tidak sangkakan. Thayalan, anak Ramayah memberitahu bahawa ayahnya meninggal dunia baru tadi. Ramayah adalah seorang pejuang dan pemimpin pekerja yang telah lama saya kenali.

Ramayah telah bekerja dikilang Kelapa Sawit, Ladang Brooklands, Banting. Pada akhir tahun 1995, beliau bersama dengan 60 pekerja lain, telah mendapat notis pemberhentian kerja dan arahan mengosongkan rumah kuarters daripada tuanpunya ladang Akurjaya Plantation,sebuah anak syarikat korporat besar Lion Group. Tidak berpuashati dengan cara penyelesaian wakil Kesatuan mereka, National Union of Plantation Workers(NUPW), Ramayah bersama rakan sekerjanya telah cuba menghubungi sesiapa yang boleh membantu mereka. NUPW enggan mengutarakan hasrat pekerja untuk menuntut perumahan sendiri pekerja. Sebaliknya mereka telah bersekongkol dengan majikan dan bersetuju bahawa pekerja akan mengosongkan rumah mereka pada akhir bulan Disember 1995, tanpa tawaran perumahan sendiri.

Batumalai, seorang rakan sekerja Ramayah telah menunjukkan majalah “Pattali” keluaran Pusat Pembangunan Masyarakat (CDC) kepadanya. Tanpa membuang masa Ramayah telah menelefon kami di pejabat CDC menjemput komrad-komrad dari CDC mengadakan perbincangan dengan pekerja terbabit.Sejak ketika itulah terjalin hubungan saya dengan komrad Ramayah yang telah berlangsung selama 13 tahun.

Keberanian dan semangat Ramayah amat saya hormati. Apabila Ramayah dan 3 keluarga pekerja Kilang kelapa Sawit enggan mengosongkan rumah mereka, kerana menuntut hak perumahan, pihak pengurusan Ladang telah memotong bekalan elektrik dan air ke kuarters mereka. Ramayah besikap teguh dan membuat keputusan untuk terus tinggal dirumah itu tanpa air dan elektrik. Semangat berjuang beliau dicontohi dan seterusnya merebak keseluruh ladang Brooklands.

Tindakan Ramayah dan tiga keluarga pekerja kilang kelapa sawit menentang korporat besar Lion Group ini telah membarakan semangat berjuang menuntut perumahan, dikalangan lebih 80 keluarga pekerja di Division Utama Ladang Brooklands. Beberapa demonstrasi diadakan menentang tindakan mahkamah Lion Group yang ingin mengusir mereka. Setelah tiga tahun menjalani kehidupan tanpa air dan elektrik, akhirnya korporat Lion Group dikalahkan. Lion Group terpaksa menarik balik kes mahkamah mereka serta menyediakan kuarters dengan kemudahan air dan elektrik untuk Ramayah dan 3 orang pekerja yang lain.

Walaupun Ramayah tidak ada pengalaman dalam apajua pertubuhan ataupun Kesatuan pekerja, sikap berani dan ucapan lantang beliau dihormati oleh para pekerja Ladang Brooklands. Tanpa mengira mesyuarat samada dengan Exco Kerajaan Negeri ataupun dengan Pengarah Lion Group, beliau dengan tegas akan menyuarakan tuntutan pekerja. Beliau juga pernah menghalau wakil union dari mesyuarat bersama Exco Kerajaan Negeri Selangor, kerana kegagalan union membantu pekerja pada tahun 1995 dulu.

Setiap kali, suatu mesyuarat perlu diaturkan di ladang, saya memberitahu Ramayah untuk memaklumkan kepada semua pekerja. Tidak pernah sekalipun beliau merungut kerana tugas tersebut. Ramayah akan memandu motosikal lapuknya ke setiap hujung ladang, memberitahu setiap pekerja mengenai mesyuarat.

Selepas, saya tiba diladang, beliau sekali lagi akan membuat rondaanya memastikan semua pekerja sampai di kuil, tempat mesyuarat kami. Saya masih ingat kali pertama saya ditahan polis semasa mengadakan mesyuarat diladang Brooklands pada tahun 1996. Pada hari keesokkan, apabila saya, Arul dan Ganesan dibawa ke mahkamah, Ramayah dan rakan seperjuangnya berjaya memobilisasi kesemua pekerja ladang membanjiri bangunan Mahkamah di Telok Datok, Banting demi memberi sokongan kepada kami. Kesemua pekerja telah mogok kerja pada hari itu membantah tindakan pengurusan membuat laporan polis terhadap kami.

Selama 13 tahun, pelbagai perjuangan telah dilalui oleh pekerja Ladang Brooklands, dan komrad Ramayah telah memainkan peranan yang sungguh penting sebagai ‘ketua’ jawatankuasa bertindak perumahan pekerja Ladang Brooklands. Akhirnya pada 15hb.Januari, 2008, pekerja Ladang Brooklands menandatangani perjanjian jual beli untuk rumah teres satu tingkat kos rendah yang mereka telah tuntut selama 13 tahun ini.

Komrad Ramayah hanya dapat menandatangani perjanjian tersebut dari katil Hospital Besar Klang kerana beliau sakit tenat. Doktor memberitahu saya bahawa buah pinggang nya telah rosak dan Ramayah perlu menjalani dialysis.

Tiba-tiba pada 20hb,Januari, 2008. keadaanya bertambah teruk dan Ramayah tidak dapat bercakap lagi. Saya amat sedih, kerana risau Ramayah, pejuang Ladang Brooklands, tidak akan dapat menikmati rumah barunya apabila ianya dibina kelak dalam masa 2 tahun. Saya,menyoal diri, kenapakah Ramayah yang selama 13 tahun ini melakukan begitu banyak pengorbanan ditimpa penyakit sedemikan. Tidakkah wajar Ramayah menikmati hasil perjuangannya?

Soalan yang sama ditanya oleh anak perempuannya apabila saya menghadiri upacara pengkebumian Ramayah pada petang ini. “Setelah bertungkus lumus selama 13 tahun, kenapa ayah tidak dapat melihat rumah pekerja yang akan dibina nanti”.

Pada masa itu saya sedar, dan saya pasti Ramayah juga faham, bahawa setiap orang manusia mempunyai tugas masing-masing dalam perjuangan kelas ini. Ramayah berjuang bukan untuk dirinya, tetapi untuk kelas pekerja, menentang pengeksploitasian golongan kapitalis memerah tenaga pekerja dan mengusir mereka apabila tidak diperlukan lagi.

Ramayah dan 51 keluarga pekerja Ladang Brooklands berjaya menjatuhkan korporat kapitalis besar Lion Group. Akhirnya, Lion Group sedar sumbangan pekerja dan menawarkan rumah kos rendah kepada mereka.

Ramayah pasti sedar dalam hatinya bahawa tugasnya telah selesai. Ramayah telah berjaya membawa perjuangan pekerja Ladang Brooklands sehingga ianya berjaya. Tugas kita adalah untuk berjuang, tanpa mengharapkan apajua balasan, walaupun hasil perjuangan tersebut tidak dapat dinikmati oleh kita, tetapi apa yang lebih penting ialah benih perjuangan tersebut telahpun kita tanamkan.

Ramayah tidak dikebumikan hari ini, tetapi dibenihkan! Semangat perjuangannya akan berterusan. Selamat tinggal komrad Ramayah!

Hidup perjuangan rakyat!

Tulisan oleh A. Sivarajan
Parti Sosialis Malaysia
21hb Januari, 2008, 5.20 pm

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