Claims that PSM disagrees with Bumi privileges are ‘lies’

S Arutchelvan of PSM says Ong Kian Ming and Khalid Samad are lying by saying PSM not included in Pakatan Harapan over Article 153 of the Federal Constitution.

KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) has rubbished the claims of two opposition parliamentarians that his party was excluded from joining Pakatan Harapan (PH) because they disagreed with Article 153 of the Federal Constitution, which governs Bumiputera privileges.

In a statement, PSM central committee member S Arutchelvan said the claims made by Khalid Samad of Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) and Ong Kian Ming of DAP were “mischievous, manipulative and utter nonsense”.

He also demanded that both MPs explain their disparaging statements against the socialist party that was reported in an online article headlined “PSM out of Pakatan Harapan due to past issues.”

“It was a desperate move by some DAP and (Amanah) MPs trying to look good after making a blunder of rushing through in announcing a half-baked coalition, which has yet to discuss nor has the endorsement of the many civil society groups who were there in the roundtable expecting to build on a new hope,” said Arutchelvan in a statement on Thursday.

In referencing the claims both parliamentarians made regarding PSM’s alleged disagreement on Article 153, Arutchelvan said, “Previously I thought both Ong and Khalid were people with high morals and integrity.

“We challenge and demand an explanation on the statement because it is not true, false and malicious.”

He asked Ong and Khalid to clarify when and where the discussion on Article 153 took place with PSM, and demanded the duo reveal details on who attended the meeting if it was ever held in the first place.

“Where is the evidence?” asked Arutchelvan, adding there were only three meetings held between PSM and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) on electoral collaboration.

He recalled that PR leaders Tian Chua and Azmin Ali attended the first meeting while Nurul Izzah, Fuziah Salleh, Muhammad Sabu or Mat Sabu and Tony Pua attended the second.

He said the third meeting was attended by jailed former Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, Tian Chua and Xavier Jeyakumar.

“In none of these meetings and all the letters exchanged by PSM with PR, was this (Article) 153 ever discussed.

“PSM is neither angry nor desperate that we were not invited for the roundtable as we believe that is the prerogative of the organiser but we cannot tolerate blatant lies and manipulation.

“We wish the new Pakatan Harapan all the best and demand an explanation,” insisted Arutchelvan, who was PSM secretary-general during the negotiations.