Lynas: Malaysia Must Avoid Another Bukit Merah Tragedy, Says PRM President

by Haider Yutim

KUALA LUMPUR, 29 FEBRUARY, 2012: Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) president Dr Rohana Ariffin (pic) said the party supports the anti-Lynas protest as it does not want the same incident that happened in Bukit Merah to happen in Gebeng, Kuantan as well. ."We go for a more constructive, and clean industry.. for a more secure future," she said when contacted by Malaysian Digest. She said the reason of the protest is because people are not certain what will happen at the Lynas plant. Besides, she said Australia is such a big country and it is better to build the plant there rather than here. Commenting about incident in Bukit Merah, Rohana told that PRM is one of the first to get lawyers to represent the people there, which took them eight years of court sessions. She said the Bukit Merah plant had to close down in 1994 because of the high cancer rate there. "So we don't want such thing to happen in Gebeng as well... and prevention is better than cure," said Rohana. She said during that time, not many young people and people outside of Perak were involved during the protest, and they were also not that aware unlike nowadays. "I don't know why some younger generations were not aware at that time... but now they are more concern," said Rohana. She added that PRM certainly support the anti-Lynas group for the sake of a safer Malaysia and it is good to see young people participating in protesting to determine the future of the country, and their concern for other Malaysians. The incident in Bukit Merah saw a case where the Asian Rare Earth Sdn Bhd (ARE) plant was built in Bukit Merah, Perak despite being extremely hazardous towards health where series of protests were held only to be fell on deaf ears. The workers and the people in that area started having health problems where they suffered bouts of coughs and colds, and sharp rise in leukaemia, infant deaths, congenital disease and lead poisoning cases. Experts also found the site unsuitable in terms of design and not meeting international standards. The villagers and people, including PRM tried to stop its operations through legal grounds and marches only to end up being blocked by FRU personnels and detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA). In 1994, the plant eventually stopped its operations succumbing to public pressure from both national and international. - mD

PRM President Dr Rohana Ariffin at ABU’s first official ceramah

“Rakyat Can Feel Umno’s Fear”

by Haider Yutim

GOMBAK, 15 DECEMBER, 2011: Umno's “momentum of fear” is being felt by every rakyat in Malaysia, said Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) Secretary-General S Arutchelvan.   Speaking to more than 1,000-strong ABU supporters at the 'Rapat Rakyat: Asalkan Bukan Umno (ABU)' ceramah, Arutchelvan (left) said that Malaysia have finally awakened to reach to a new level of the political awareness. He said now that the rakyat are able to see through Umno-Barisan Nasional the people are breaking their silence to reject the party.   Haris Ibrahim. "We are in the environment which is demanding for change... the rakyat are now mature and ready to fight against Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN)," said Arul. In his fiery speech, Arul told about the time of pre-independence where most political parties were banned and its members imprisoned. He said the only political party that remained at that time was Umno, and that the British had intentionally allowed the party to remain so their power over the country would be passed on to their preferred political party. Badrul Hisham Shaharin aka Chegubard.He said the Internal Security Act (ISA) was also widely used to safeguard the security of Umno leaders. "The ISA Act is used to safeguard the leaders of Umno... Umno continued to live because of the ISA," said Arul. In his full-spirited speech, Arul told the crowd that instead of the world coming to an end in year 2012, it would be Umno’s reign which will be ending next year. "If they want to use the police or the ISA... we want to say, we are not afraid of anyone anymore!" added Arul to loud cheers from with supporters who had packed hall in Taman Melewar, Gombak. Mahfuz Omar.ABU’s first official ceramah chaired by Solidarity Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) Pesident Badrul Hisham Shaharin (also known as Chegubard) was also attended by Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) President Haris Ibrahim, Benny Loh of Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) President Dr Rohana Ariffin and PAS Vice President Datuk Mahfuz Omar. - mD

PRM is part of 'ABU' Movement

"ABU" Movement Announces Nationwide Blitz to Call on M'sians to Reject Umno

by Dajmarizal Zolkipli

KUALA LUMPUR, 9 DECEMBER, 2011: A movement which calls itself ABU or Asalkan Bukan Umno (Anyone But Umno) announced its bold statement calling Malaysians to rise up to voice out their displeasure towards Umno and reject the party in the runup to the 13th General Election. In a statement made by one of the movement’s main representatives Badrul Hisham, better known as Chegubard, during its first media conference, he urged Malaysians, especially those who have been marginalized to break out from their silence. “We are calling out to all workers, farmers, fishermen, associations, organizations, government bodies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties – excluding Umno, opposition parties or Independent parties, professionals, academicians and intellectuals, artists and all those who are marginalized including Mat Rempits, the homeless, unemployed and others to establish clearly (through media statements or demonstrations) our loss of confidence towards Umno which has lost its purpose, corrupt, conceited, oppressive, ruthless and more lately ignorant and arrogant,” he said to those who attended the media conference held at the KL Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall here, today. “Now is not the time to remain silent anymore and disregard, unless you are willing to bequeath Malaysia which has been impoverished to our future generations. Do we still fail to see or intentionally allow the little that’s left of our democratic rights which have mostly been denied while our demands continue to be ignored?” he added. Badrul, who is also the chairman of Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) and a PKR member also announced that ABU will be launching a nationwide campaign to call on to Malaysians voice out their “disgust and repulsion towards the misappropriations and corruption being practiced by Umno”. Alongside Badrul were Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) President Haris Ibrahim (right) and representatives from Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM), Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) and various non-governmental organizations. Earlier, the same announcement was made by PRM President Dr Rohana Ariffin in a media conference held in Penang and it is believed that the ABU message had been spread throughout each state in the Peninsula today whereas, in Sabah and Sarawak, the message will be announced tomorrow. PSM central community member, V Selvam said: “PSM supports the statement and objective of ABU”, said Selvam. “Umno have shown its bad treatment towards rakyat demands over this years, this is the time rakyat rise and demand for changes,” he added He further claimed that PSM had recently suffered ill treatment by the Umno/BN government which had collaborated with authorities and “racial mobs” during the detention of the EO6 where 28 of PSM members were detained under the Emergency Ordinance for allegedly waging war against the King. “PSM members in a bus were surrounded by 200 Malay mobs and when they tried to escape into the police station to seek for help, the police restrained from doing their job to protect us,” said Selvan. “This shows how the police and authorities are controlled by Umno/BN government,” Selvan added. Meanwhile, Haris Ibrahim of MCLM said that ABU was set to reach to the rakyat with information that will show how Umno have been manipulating the country for the past six decades. “Even before the Independence, Umno has been largely responsible in manipulating towards the rakyat, “It is now that ABU will expose all (of Umno’s wrongdoings) and spread it to the rakyat to prove that the sentiments that Umno helps and protects Malaysians are wrong,” said Haris. Another member of the movement, Zukarnain Abdullah (left) of PRM, said the party accepts the statements read by Badrul. He also urged Malaysians to use the ABU movement in rejecting Umno and its “manipulation” once and for all. “I call for Malaysians to use this chance and execute Umno. Let’s stop them from ruling this country for they have ruled this country badly, he said. Meanwhile, Badrul, when asked about ABU, said that it is a non-structured movement and people from all segments of life are invited to join the movement. “We (ABU) are not linked to any political party. We are independent and this is a movement, not an organization. This is the rakyat’s movement,” he said. Earlier, Badrul announced that ABU will be holding a big forum at Taman Melewar, Gombak on December 15, 2011 at 8pm which will be attended by the rakyat from all over Malaysia. He added that the movement will also be making another big announcement which will change the “unhealthy political situation” in the country. - mD

PRM Has Not Confirmed on Creating Third Force with NGOs, Says President

by Haider Yutim

PETALING JAYA, 8 DECEMBER, 2011: Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) President Dr Rohana Ariffin today said that the party has not confirmed any move to join forces with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to offer itself  as the 'third force' for the next general election. Referring to a statement made by PRM's vice-president Koh Swe Yong in the Sun Daily yesterday, Dr Rohana said it was a statement made in his own capacity, and not a statement by PRM's central administration.   "Not a statement made by the party... it's a statement made by Koh's own capacity. "The authenticity of PRM comes from statements made by the party's three leaders – president, deputy president and the secretary-general," she said when contacted by Malaysian Digest today. She said, as far as the party is concerned, the decision to work with other groups is still in the process of discussion. She added that the same goes for the decision on the three parliamentary seats in Balik Pulau, Selayang and Petaling Jaya Selatan as to whether it is just a suggestion or an open negotiation because the party wishes to avoid three-cornered fights. "We are still in the process of negotiation and have not confirmed anything yet... We are still working it out," she said when asked to comment on the possibility of the party working together with NGOs and contesting in the three parliamentary seats. Nevertheless, Dr Rohana said other parties should not misconstrue the party's suggestion to contest in the general election. However, she said for now PRM is planning to reestablish the party again by reactivating the branches in few states of the country. "But for now our main focus is to rebuild the party by activating its branches in various states including Kedah, Penang, Pahang and Johor," she said. Yesterday, the Sun Daily reported a statement from Koh that PRM is planning to join forces with more than 10 NGOs to offer themselves as the third force in the next general election. However, according to a report in China Press on Dec 5, the third force’s (parties not under Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat) candidates will be contesting under the PRM banner, and the party has identified three parliamentary seats in the Klang Valley to contest in. - mD

Left-wing parties hoping to soar(Star, 17/11/2011)

 Thursday November 17, 2011(Star)

Left-wing parties hoping to soar

Analysis
By Baradan Kuppusamy

Left-wing parties are making a comeback in a political environment dominated by both race-based and multi-racial parties all pushing the same democratic centralism political ideology.

PARTI Rakyat Malaysia, a small but tradition-rich party, is causing some consternation among top PKR leaders with its announcement this week that it will contest in three parliamentary constituencies held by PKR.

Its newly elected president Dr Rohana Ariffin said that the party, founded in 1955 by Ahmad Boestaman upon his release from ISA, would contest in the Balik Pulau, Selayang and Petaling Jaya Selatan constituencies in the forthcoming general election.

In an interview, she said PRM was against three-cornered fights but hoped to hold discussions with Pakatan Rakyat leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and find an amicable solution.

“We are keen to contest in the three seats,” she told The Star, adding that Balik Pulau in Penang was a traditional PRM seat while Selayang was also a former seat with hardcore members and Petaling Jaya was where the party's headquarters was located.

“We have many supporters in the three constituencies,” she said. “We are only asking for three seats out of 222 in the country.”

Dr Rohana said if an Opposition government were to be elected in the next general election, their participation would be crucial because they would offer alternative views from within.

“Diversity should be promoted and encouraged and many contrasting views make up a good government unlike with Barisan Nasional where Umno's views dominate,” said the academician.

All well and good but PKR is in no mood to concede three of the best constituencies now held by party veterans just because PRM is asking for it, tradition-rich party or not.

The Selayang constituency is held by PKR treasurer William Leong, who did well in 2008 defeating his opponents in a three-cornered fight, including a PRM candidate Koh Su Yong, who polled about 2% of the votes.

Koh had stood in 2004 under a PKR banner and polled over 17,000 votes, losing nevertheless. His 2008 performance was lacklustre under PRM, a measure of what the right party can do for a candidate.

Although PRM has traditionally contested in Balik Pulau and never won, it believes it has a better chance now.

Currently, it is held by PKR newcomer Yusmadi Yusuf, who is very active in Balik Pulau as well as in Penang and in Parliament.

Petaling Jaya Selatan, on the other hand is held by Hee Loy Sian, who keeps a low profile.

PRM is hallowed in the left-wing history of the country, having been founded by Ahmad Boestaman and brought together all the Malay left in various organisations like KMM, API and other small groups.

The party was a member of the Socialist Front and contested in various municipal councils and in general election in the 1960s but the winning results were mixed.

It had to watch out for the Special Branch on one hand and convince the people to win elections on the other, making for difficult choices.

PRM survived the 1970s under Kassim Ahmad and after him, Datuk Kampu Radjoo, and finally came under the control of Dr Syed Husin Ali in the 1980s.

In 2003, he dissolved PRM and led its members into PKR but a small faction opposed the move and carried on under the PRM banner, which had a cow's head as the party symbol.

The breakaway faction was recognised by the Registrar of Societies and in the election for PRM office bearers held in Petaling Jaya last week, Dr Rohana, the acting president since 2010, was elected PRM president.

Another small, left-wing party, the Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), is also having trouble with Pakatan Rakyat, especially DAP, over seat allocation.

In 2008, it contested under the PKR banner in three seats and won one with its president Dr Nasir Hashim in Kota Damansara and Dr D. Jeyakumar in Sungei Siput Parliamentary seat but secretary-general S. Arutchelvam lost in the Semenyih state seat in Selangor.

The tussle with the DAP in 2008 was for the Jalong seat in Perak which the PSM wanted to contest because of years of grassroots work there.

In the end, they contested as an independent after negotiation with the DAP broke down. In the three-cornered fight that followed, PSM lost to DAP's Hew Yit Fong who, a year later, defected to Barisan Nasional together with two PKR assemblymen, giving away the state.

In retrospect, left-wing parties are making a comeback in a political environment dominated by both race-based and multi-racial parties all pushing the same democratic centralism political ideology.

They have no socialist trappings to speak off and only want to run a better government with the same foreign investment and development strategies.

The left parties are making a comeback in a big way overseas but without the violent themes of the past.

Their ideologies and policies would provide a fresh alternative to the dominant political parties on both sides of the divide here.

Both Barisan Nasional, that is trying to win hearts and minds with its many 1Malaysia reforms, and Pakatan Rakyat - with its “me-rakyatkan” economy initiatives in Selangor - could well use another party with a socialist bend to speak for and champion the people.

The left-wing parties have important things to contribute to the debate on national issues like privatisation of healthcare, food security and even on the government service tax.

Their re-emergence on the political scene should be welcomed and encouraged as these left parties have dedicated leadership who will go the extra mile for the people.- Star, 17/11/2011, Left-wing parties hoping to soar

PRM Welcomes Offer from Anwar, Yusmadi to Work Together with PKR

PRM Welcomes Offer from Anwar, Yusmadi to Work Together with PKR

by Haider Yutim

PETALING JAYA, 16 NOVEMBER, 2011: Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) Dr Rohana Ariffin today welcomed the warm gesture made by both Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) leaders Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Balik Pulau member of parliament Yusmadi Yusoff in willing to work togther with PRM.   "PRM has been in the Opposition for a long time and will continue be in the Opposition. "And we do want to work together with Pakatan Rakyat and PKR, although not join them.. nevertheless will work closely with them," said Rohana when contacted by Malaysian Digest. Rohana described Yusmadi's statement as a good response from the Opposition, pointing that PRM will continue to work with the Opposition until the next general election. She also took the opportinity to thank PKR especially Yusmadi for opening the door for PRM, as the party has always wanted to work with the Opposiion. Yesterday, Yusmadi welcomed PRM' intention to contest its candidates in Balik Pulau for the next General Election (GE). However, he said for the benefit of the voters in Balik Pulau constituency, he invited PRM to work with PKR in facing Barisan Nasional (BN). He said, as the PRM has the same agenda with PKR which is to defeat the BN, he suggested for Dr Rohana to discuss over this issue in order to benefit Balik Pulau voters.   - mD - Malaysian Digest, 16/11/2011, PRM Welcomes Offer from Anwar, Yusmadi to Work Together with PKR

"PRM Among First Political Parties to Reject ISA, Emergency Ordinance"

"PRM Among First Political Parties to Reject ISA, Emergency Ordinance"

by Haider Yutim

PETALING JAYA, 11, NOVEMBER 2011: To say that Parti Rakyat Malaysia's (PRM) members consist of socialists who do not believe in God is totally untrue, said its president Dr Rohana Ariffin.   PRM celebrated its 56th anniversary since its formation in 11 November 1954, being one of the oldest political party in Malaysia, which had contributed to the nation's political growth including becoming the first political party to reject the ISA and Emergency Ordinance. "Many leaders and members of PRM were detained for years in Kamunting, Taiping under the ISA (Internal Security Act)," said Rohana in a speech at the party's headquarters today. Rohana said the rulers have been endlessly oppressing and breaking the spirit of PRM by portraying that PRM is joined by people who do not believe in God,". "This is an image that they had damaged which is difficult to get rid of until today despite PSM (Parti Sosialis Malaysia) have been gaining lots of support... but I feel that the word 'socialist' has lost its stigma," said Rohana. She refuted the accusations, saying that PRM's struggle has always been in tune with the demands of every religion that exists in the world which is to fight for justice and freedom for all. Rohana said the purpose and ambition of PRM since it formation has always been to defend the rights, interests and the  sovereignty of the people regardless of race, religion or class under a peaceful, united, prosperous and democratic government. She added that even though the political environment has changed throughout the times, PRM would still remain with its multiracial way and fight for justice for every oppressed rakyat. Besides that, Rohana said the party now would focus more on the youths by providing motivation, drive and training towards these group. "Our aim is to give education to our young supporters and also the young members, and lots of our programs involve training," she said. Rohana also announced the party's website which is www.partirakyat.com in which she hopes to reach out more to the people through the website as well as the party's Facebook page which was created two to three months ago. The celebration was closed by a cake cutting ceremony by Rohana herself and poem recital by an 18-year-old youth named Seth entitled, 'Parti Rakyat Malaysia'. Meanwhile, Rohana when met by Malaysian Digest said since after the court case the party had elected new leadership in order to mobilize. She said in order to mobilize, it takes a  lot of challenge for example to get people to accept the party as there are some political who refuse to admit that PRM exists, and some NGOs don't invite them. "But within a year many have invited us like MCLM, Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia, Bersih. "So we find that now our name is being known more in Malaysia and also we realized that if the central committee (JKP) works hard enough, we will be known once more as a party who really wants to fight for the common people," said Rohana. Jayanath Appudurai from Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia said although it will take some time due to the re-grouping, but he feels that the party has the support of the rakyat and said that a non-ethnic party is the way to go for Malaysia as we are too overshadowed by all ethnicity and religion that people are being held back. "Basically it is good but there's still a lot of hard work that needs to be done to recapture the old flames and passion," said Jayanath when asked about the future of PRM. He also suggested that PRM documents its struggles since 1955 in a proper publication because a lot of people have forgotten about it and history books have failed to capture it, and this is the way how the ordinary would know the great people like Boestamam who struggled for a better Malaysia.   - mD - Malaysian Digest, 11/11/2011, "PRM Among First Political Parties to Reject ISA, Emergency Ordinance"