PSM: 'Act of God' if we win, but chance to educate M'sians on socialism

It would take nothing short of divine intervention for PSM candidate Nik Aziz Afiq Abdul to win the Semenyih by-election, according to central committee member Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj.

However, he viewed the March 2 contest as a good platform to educate Malaysians on socialism.

Jeyakumar said fielding the 25-year-old activist for the state seat is part of PSM's long-term effort to engage the public and spread awareness regarding the principles which the party subscribes to.

"I think winning would take an act of God. We must be realistic. However, it is not impossible that voters in Semenyih would choose us.

"But I think it is not something that is realistic, (especially) contesting against two giants (from Pakatan Harapan and BN) and with all the negative publicity about socialism.

"However, this is an opportunity for us to tell the people (about PSM). We hold press conferences every day to present our issues and manifesto," he told Malaysiakini.

The former Sungai Siput MP was responding to a question on how PSM plans to convince the voters in the Malay-majority seat to back a socialist candidate.

Better than 'greedy' capitalism, not against religions

Jeyakumar said the people must be made to understand that PSM's policies are beneficial for 99 percent of the population.

"This is what we need to deliver to them. This by-election gives us a platform, with all the media coverage, to show our policies on health, education, housing, salary, pension for senior citizens, and transportation, among others," he added.

Furthermore, he said PSM is working on creating awareness that socialism is not against Islam or other religions.

He argued that PSM's socialism is more similar to religious principles compared to capitalism, which is "greedy, materialistic and promotes all-out competition."

He said it must also not be confused with other branches such as the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM).

"PSM is not from that branch (of socialism). We uphold parliamentary democracy and believe in the electoral process, use mass mobilisation, campaign and public opinion to bring our issues.

"We do not take up arms (in our struggle), we are not from the Maoist branch (like CPM). So people must know that socialism and communism have many types of branches.

"There are branches like PSM where we believe in people's power, but not through an armed revolution," he explained.

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