Arul

Two small progressive parties,Β the Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) and the Malaysian United Democracy Alliance (MUDA) have been campaigning for a "new politics" in the August 12 Malaysian state elections, reports Peter Boyle.

Malaysia has its second unelected government afterΒ the king appointed Ismail Sabri Yaakob prime minister. ΒιΆΉΣ³»­'Β spoke to Parti Sosialis MalaysiaΒ deputy chairperson S. ArutchelvanΒ about the political situation.

The Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM), respected as a small principled party that packs a big punch, is running its largest election campaign yet. Peter Boyle speaks to its campaign coordinator.

It is 2.34am in Malaysia and S. Arutchelvan (better known as β€œArul”) is typing in answers to my questions on the PSM campaign in the country’s general election on May 9.

Resistance members are currently taking part in a tour of Malaysia with the Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM). The tour has visited Buntong where the PSM has set up an after-school care program for children from poor families who work long shifts. They also travelled to Pusing, a 100-year-old tin mining town where many farmers are engaged in a struggle for land rights against developers.