1. The Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) voices its strongest objection to the continuing price increase of essential goods, public transport fares and basic amenities as it is oppressive and heavily burdens the people. In the same tone, the PSM demands that the government immediately stops all actions aimed at reducing or withdrawing subsidies to ordinary Malaysians and asks that the government reinstate subsidies to the original status.
2. The neo-liberal policies of the Barisan Nasional government continue to erode the rights and interests of the people. All public services such as health-care, education and transportation now face the threat of neo-liberalism that burdens the ordinary people. In this context, the PSM feels that the PTPTN study loan has been abused by private businesses and ought to be dissolved. In its place free education at all levels should be introduced.
3. The PSM calls for the demands of workers to be fulfilled without delay. A Minimum Wage Act which sets the minimum wage at RM1,500 should be enacted without any more excuses from the government. Apart from that, the government should implement the workers retrenchment fund to protect workers during times of capitalist crisis. The PSM also urges the government to increase welfare and social security (SOCSO) benefits to people in need and open branches in every town so that the public has easy access.
4. Housing for the poor and low income category must be given priority in the nations development agenda. The massive problem of maintenance of low cost flats in the country must be seen as a national issue and given due attention. The government must view seriously this long-festering issue and take immediate steps to resolve it.
The PSM also urges the government to put an end to all forced eviction of urban pioneers, estate workers and farmers, and instead make provisions to provide adequate and secure housing for the marginalized. The government is urged to implement adequate and affordable housing for the low income.
5. The system of general elections must be reformed to reflect the principle of ‘one person one vote’ so that the number of voters in one constituency (parliament or state) doesn’t differ markedly from another. The PSM recommends that the difference in voter size between the largest electorate and the smallest, should not exceed 10%. The PSM also supports the demands of BERSIH and urges the EC to ensure the clean and transparent conduct of the general elections in order to uphold democracy. The PSM once again urges the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat governments to implement local government elections.
6. Serious attention must be given to environment friendly development . The PSM demands that all nuclear energy projects be called off and replaced with alternative sources of energy such as solar, wind and water.
7. Corruption, abuse of power, wastage, racism, and dirty and disgusting politics continue to be the main features of Barisan Nasional rule, and the PSM proposes a radically different type of politics based on transparency, principles, sustainable and professionalism. The government should also stop wasting the people’s money on purchasing military armaments and instead use it for the welfare of the people.
8. PSM recognises that Bahasa Malaysia is the official national language, and urges that the government respect and treat with equality and fairness all other mother-tongue streams of education. The PSM supports the campaign to restore the citizenship status of the late mother tongue education fighter, Cikgu Lim Lian Geok.
9. The PSM objects to the Malaysia- Australia refugee exchange plan that treats refugees as barter goods. The government should ratify the 1951 Convention on the Rights of Refugees and provide protection and equitable access to healthcare, education and employment.
10. The PSM demands the abolition of all draconian laws such as the ISA, Emergency Ordinance, Sedition Act, Printing and Presses Act and University and University Colleges Act.
11. The PSM supports the uprising of the people of the Arabian nations against dictatorial rule. The PSM opposes the socio-economic system that enriches the capitalist class at the expense of the poor. In our own country, the PSM supports the BERSIH 2.0 gathering planned for 9 July 2011, and exhorts all Malaysians to take part in large numbers to further the struggle for democracy in Malaysia.
Released by the PSM Central Committee
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