Semenyih polls: PSM says wants to be 'third force' in Malaysian politics

SEMENYIH: Parti Sosialis Malaysia central committee member S. Arutchelvan says the party has no plans to join forces with other parties, and is only interested in being a third force.

He said there are only two political "blocs" in the country - Pakatan Harapan and the faction comprising PAS and Umno.

"We will only want to form an alternative third movement. PSM is a party that fights for the working class and lower middle class," said the party veteran.

Nik Aziz Afiq, who is the youngest candidate in this by-election, says he is leaving his position to fate.

"We worked hard and gave our best in the two weeks of campaigning, the rest is in Allah's hands. We will accept any result with an open heart," said Nik Aziz Afiq, after casting his vote at Dewan Orang Ramai Semenyih here.

Nik Aziz Afiq's father Abdul Abdul Karim said he is very proud that PSM had chosen his son as candidate for the party.

The former Selangor PAS member said his old party had strayed from its real struggle and will give full support to PSM.

"PSM fights for the underprivileged and marginalised and speaks up against the wrongdoings of the administration. This is the foundation that PAS was founded upon, but it is PSM who carry this today," said Abdul.

PSM has made three attempts at the Semenyih state seat but has not been successful so far.

PSM central committee member S. Arutchelvan contested in the 12th, 13th and 14th General Election.

His closest at winning was during his first attempt in 2008, when PSM contested under Pakatan Rakyat and lost by 1,140 votes to Barisan Nasional's Datuk Johan Abd Aziz.

In 2013 and 2018, it has not been easy as PSM went solo and contested under its own logo against the might of Barisan and Pakatan.

Arutchelvan, however, feels his 25-year-old protégé Nik Aziz Afiq Abdul will do better this time around.

"I think the level of support for our party is better than the last GE, where the (Barisan) government was toppled. So the people are opened to looking for alternatives.

"Our campaign went quite well. We highlighted a lot of issues which received good media coverage.

"We've been consistent over four elections. I feel it will take a long time for the people to accept a socialist party, that is so feared by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, but I believe we will be accepted in the long run," said Arutchelvan.