Put workers first to Save Malaysia, says PSM

PSM secretary-general says removing PM Najib Razak alone will not solve country's problems.

VIDEO INSIDE

KUALA LUMPUR: The dream to Save Malaysia will take more than just removing Prime Minister Najib Razak from office as only a comprehensive change, starting with the decision to put workers first can achieve that goal.

Speaking at a press conference for the May 1 Labour Day gathering, PSM Secretary-General A Sivarajan said the current political narrative was focused too much on the political elite and 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), as well as leadership and corruption issues.

“Our message for this May 1 gathering is to put workers first and in this way we can Save Malaysia.”

Sivarajan said this in relation to the Save Malaysia movement, driven by several prominent figures from both sides of the political divide including former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who collectively are demanding that Najib resign as prime minister.

However in their endeavour to oust Najib , Sivarajan said many issues affecting the people had been brushed aside. He also reminded the leaders that not all the country’s problems would be resolved if Najib resigned.

In reality, Sivarajan said, comprehensive change involving systematic, economical and political reforms were sorely needed.

He claimed that the 17 demands put forth by the May 1 Labour Day gathering could Save Malaysia.

This included the setting-up of a Workers’ Retrenchment Fund to help retrenched workers whose employers have failed to or were unable to pay their salaries.

Other demands included a RM1,500 minimum wage as well as Cost of Living Allowance, the abolishment of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and other repressive laws, media freedom, the privatisation of public services, and for the rights of workers, the disabled and migrants amongst others to be respected.

“The aim of this year’s gathering is to bring back the issues affecting people and workers to the political narrative.”

The theme of the gathering this year is Utamakan Pekerja! Selamatkan Malaysia (Put workers first! Save Malaysia).

The May 1 gathering on Sunday is set to take place in front of the Maju Junction Tower in Jalan Sultan Ismail from 10.30am onwards. It will be monitored by the Malaysian Bar and the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), while NGO Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) will have a team on the ground to assist in case of arrests.

PSM central committee member S Arutchelvan, meanwhile said members of the organising committee had met with the authorities, and were briefed about the dos and don’ts.

“We assured them we have enough marshals,” he said, adding the police were committed in providing assistance to them as well.

He said they were expecting a smaller crowd this year due to the hot weather and Sarawak election.

The press conference was also attended by members of the May 1 organising committee, which included representatives from Suaram, Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (Jerit), Buku Jalanan and Kesatuan Mahasiswa Malaysia amongst others.