From giant-killer to Pakatan Rakyat buddy

From giant-killer to Pakatan Rakyat buddy. That is what Dr. D. Jeyakumar, a Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) central committee member wish for.

Jeyakumar is the Member of Parliament of Sungai Siput who defeated the titan of Malaysia Indian Congress (MIC) that is Samy Vellu during the recent Malaysia General Election. The irony is that since PSM is not registered yet, Jeyakumar contested the Sungai Siput seat under the PKR ticket and he won.

Pakatan Rakyat is setup under the caucus of PKR-DAP-PAS and vacancy for new membership has not been determined yet. Suppose PSM is registered and accepted into PR fold, most opposition parties from Sabah and Sarawak would also likely to join PR.

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Extracted from: thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/14/nation/20942589&sec=nation (Apr 14, 2008)

PSM to join Pakatan Rakyat if offered a place

IPOH: Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) will consider joining Pakatan Rakyat if offered a place in the opposition alliance, PSM central committee member Dr D. Jeyakumar said.

The Sungai Siput MP, who won the constituency on a PKR ticket, said the party could work alongside the PKR-DAP-PAS coalition because of similarities in their ideologies.

“Whether we are part of the alliance formally or informally, we will work with them,” he said when thanking party supporters in Jelapang on Saturday night.

However, Jeyakumar pointed out that they would need to get PSM registered first.

“We have already taken the matter to court and we will see how it works out,” he said.

The party’s application to be a registered party was rejected in 1999 and 2003.

Dr Jeyakumar said it would be less complicated if PSM were to have its own party, adding that candidates fielded in the general election in future would not have to “borrow” party symbols for the contest.

On his constituency, Dr Jeyakumar said long-standing problems like housing schemes for estate workers, squatters and land titles, could be resolved with help from the new state government.

“It is a golden opportunity for me to help my constituents,” he said, adding, “I think I can get better cooperation from them than the previous ruling government.”