Pakatan, PSM and Sun Tzu
Saifuddin Nasution lost the previous election contesting in Kulim-Bandar Baharu, Kedah. The loss in Kedah should be treated as an important issue and PR must realise that the people will not hesitate to vote PR out if they failed to perform.
FMT LETTER: From Natesan Visnu, via e-mail
The recent statement made by Saifuddin Nasution rejecting PSM from joining Pakatan Rakyat shows political immaturity. The statement does not reflect the true spirit of the coalition. That leads us to a question on PR’s political strategy and reasons for rejecting PSM. In response to Saifuddin’s statement, we Malaysians would like to remind that Pakatan Rakyat is for all Malaysians. The leaders are servants of the people and the people’s aspiration should be the top priority. The country is in a political dilemma and PR should take into consideration the sentiments of Malaysians and formulate strategies that work for the people not against the people.
PSM – A hardworking political party
PSM has proven its worthiness as a political party with integrity. Malaysians have not forgotten the debacle by PKR before the elections by fielding candidates to contest against PSM. PSM continued its struggle for the working class despite the pre-election fiasco and were firm with their stand against Barisan Nasional. In period of political uncertainty, PSM had the option to join the Barisan Nasional coalition. PSM chose the long hard road to continue its struggle with one goal in mind, to serve the people.
Dr Michael Jayakumat won the Parliamentary seat for two terms defeating MIC giants in 2008 (Samy Vellu) and 2013 (S Devamany). Dr Jayakumar and PSM members were arrested under Emergency Ordinance before the Bersih 2.0 rally fighting for electoral reform.
PSM shares a similar ideology with PR on issues pertaining to workers’ rights, eradication of neo-liberal policies, affordable housing, multiracial society, combat corruption and stopping destruction of the environment. On that note, the rejection of PSM from join the PR coalition is not justified and a review on their position must be considered. PSM has proven its leadership capabilities by continuing to serve the Malaysian people.
Winning Kedah again
Saifuddin Nasution lost the previous election contesting in Kulim-Bandar Baharu, Kedah. The loss in Kedah should be treated as an important issue and PR must realise that the people will not hesitate to vote PR out if they failed to perform. Since Saifuddin has experience contesting in Kedah, he should be given the task to win Kedah again in the next election. With his vast experience in politics, PR should send him on a mission to recapture Kedah to prove his political abilities.
The people of Kedah were sentimental to support BN because two of the country’s Prime Ministers originated from Kedah. With appointment of Mukhriz Mahathir as the Chief Minister, PR’s battle in Kedah for the next election will be an uphill task. The groundwork for the next election should start now. Defeating BN in Kedah in the next election should be PR’s top priority not rejecting PSM from the coalition.
PSM – Reformism
PSM could be viewed as an evolutionary social reformist party with an ideology for gradual changes within society in many areas. In tandem with PR’s aspiration for change, PSM has the support of poor working class, marginalised community and urban poor. The presence of a socialist political ideology provides the ‘check and balance’ for a capitalist system.
Leftist ideologies are a necessity for maturing democracy and the role of social reformist balances the democratic system. PR’s rejection of PSM will further weaken the strength of PR. From strategic perspective, the rejection means PR has not matured as a democratic coalition.
Why PSM matters?
As a note of reminder, the PR leadership needs to realise that by rejecting PSM, they are indirectly paving the way for PSM to become the third force. The political ideology of PSM appeals to the poor and PSM has the capability to strengthen itself in years to come. If PR stands firm on the decision, the support from rural voters will reduce and capturing Putrajaya will be an uphill task in the next election. Indirectly PR is paving way for BN to stay in power.
Learning from GE 13, despite the election fiasco, the rural voters are a votebank for BN. PSM has good track record with the urban poor, plantation workers, industrial workers and peasants. PR should look into the possibilities of capitalising on PSM’s strengths.
