MALAYSIA: Socialists' bid for registration rejected again

BY
EVA CHENG

Four years ago, Malaysia's Registrar of Societies (ROS) turned down
the Malaysian Socialist Party's (PSM) application to be an officially registered
party. A subsequent appeal to the Home Ministry was turned down. In September
1999, the party sought a High Court to dismissal of the ministry's decision.
On January 13, the court ruled against the party's request. “The judge
merely photocopied the ministry's decision”, reported the PSM.

The decision was handed down in the presence of 50 plantation workers
and other supporters of PSM. Many wore PSM badges and distributed fliers
outside the court to explain the party's struggle.

PSM chairperson Nasir Hashim vowed that the party will not give up its
attempt to seek registration, adding that “the role of a small socialist
party in challenging the state and the system is itself a victory”.

The ROS refused to register the PSM because it did not have seven branches
in various states. The Home Ministry rejected the PSM application on the
ground that Malaysia's “national interest” might be undermined if the party
won registration. But it didn't spell out what “national interests” were
involved.

Messages of solidarity can be sent to <psmhq@tm.net.my>.

From Green Left Weekly, January 22, 2003.

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From GLW issue 522