PSM candidates declare their assets, take oath against racism

KUALA LUMPUR: All Parti Sosialis Malaysia's (PSM) candidates contesting in GE14 declared their assets in a ceremony at the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall here Thursday.

The value of assets owned by each of their 16 candidates ranged from RM3,000 up to RM3mil.

The candidates also took an “anti-racism” oath, where they pledged not to play up racial issues just to get support from the public.

PSM secretary-general A. Sivarajan said that all their candidates have been declaring their assets since 2008, being pioneers among Malaysian political parties in implementing such a move.

He said that those who were elected, including councillors, would then have to declare their assets every year.

“The people want to know if we accumulate wealth while in public office,” he said.

He added that party leaders had always reminded potential candidates that politics is not for making money.

“This is the importance of PSM in Malaysian politics – although there are many who label us ‘spoilers’, what we bring is very important.

“We raise the bar for politicians for everyone else to follow. It doesn’t matter if it’s the Opposition or the Government," he said.

PSM will be contesting in four parliamentary and 12 state assembly seats.

The four parliamentary seats are Batu Gajah, Subang, Cameron Highlands, and Sungai Siput.

The 12 state seats are Bukit Lanjan, Jelai, Port Klang, Tronoh, Buntong, Sri Muda, Kota Lama, Menglembu, Semenyih, Jelapang, Kota Damansara and Malim Nawar.

It is likely that PSM will find itself in three-way contests against Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan in most, if not all, of the seats.