Arul

Two small progressive parties, 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 after the king appointed Ismail Sabri Yaakob prime minister. Green Left' spoke to Parti Sosialis Malaysia deputy chairperson S. Arutchelvan 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 “Arul”) 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.