What has PSM done that's worse than Bersatu's past, asks MP

Pakatan Harapan may be close to fully resolving the coalition’s seat negotiations but one former comrade-in-arms, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), is none too pleased that it has been left out of the picture.

It is a situation that has left PSM's sole MP Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj perplexed, given the amount of support the party has given to Harapan components in the past.

"We've been with them in all the major struggles, fighting the goods and services tax (GST), Internal Security Act (ISA)... We are their natural ally.

"If you can include Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), whose leaders you have fought against for so many years, (in your coalition and negotiations) why not PSM?

"What has PSM done that is so much worse that you can't consider working with us in your coalition?" Jeyakumar told Malaysiakini.

PSM is currently set to collide with Harapan in three-cornered fights in the next general election, with DAP already announcing plans to contest in Jeyakumar's Sungai Siput seat.

In 2013, PSM had clashed with DAP in Jelapang, and with PKR in Semenyih. It also clashed with then-Pakatan Rakyat partner PAS in Kota Damansara. PSM lost all these three contests.

This time around PSM has increased the number of seats it plans to contest to 20, and if left with no options, the party will force three-cornered fights.

"The ball is in their court, our options are either to close shop or to stand for elections... If we wanted to just be activists we wouldn't have set up a party," Jeyakumar said.

Can compromise, if Harapan will talk

However, the PSM central committee member said, the party was willing to compromise on the seats it wants to contest, but only if Harapan is willing to sit down with them and talk.

But, he said, the only offer currently on the table is for him to defend his Sungai Siput parliamentary seat on a PKR ticket.

"That's not an acceptable offer for us, and that is very limiting," he said.

Jeyakumar said although PSM is only seeking an electoral pact and not membership in Harapan, the party still has much to contribute to the coalition.

PSM members, he added, were very close with the grassroots and have a better understanding on issues affecting marginalised Malaysians.

By working with PSM, Jeyakumar said, Harapan would be able to deepen its political platform and discourse, while widening its appeal to voters.

The main opposition coalition has had a rocky relationship with PSM.

Prior to the 2013 general election, the then coalition Pakatan Rakyat had asked PSM for support, but it did not follow through with the party's application to join the coalition.

When Pakatan was disbanded, PSM was again sidelined when PKR, DAP and PAS splinter group Amanah began talks to form Harapan.

PSM at one point tried to form its own third force coalition with Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM), but this plan fell through. -Mkini