Review of Jeyakumar Devaraj’s “Malaysia at the Crossroads, a Socialist Perspective” by Peter Taaffe

Jeyakumar Devaraj, member of the Central Committee of Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) and Member of Parliament for Sungai Siput, published a book on perspectives for Malaysia in August 2009. Peter Taaffe, General Secretary of the Socialist Party (CWI in England and Wales) and member of the International Secretariat of the Committee for a Workers’ International, reviewed it in a letter to Jeyakumar.

We are carrying a slightly edited (shortened) version of the review which deals with important questions of method, analysis and perspectives for Marxists in the struggle - to overthrow capitalism in Malaysia, Asia and worldwide.

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On 13 January 2010, a 7.3 Richter scale earthquake struck Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. The earthquake caused great destruction and 200,000 people are thought to be dead. Further, 3 million Haitians have been rendered homeless by the quake, which also damaged many public service buildings, such as hospitals and schools.

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100 days and counting…Time for Rudd to act!

As part of an international day of action, the Tamil community and a range of progressive groups will be holding a protest at 5.30pm Monday January 18th outside the State Library in Melbourne. (Corner of Swanston and Latrobe Streets in the City)

The protests are demanding that the 254 Tamil refugees, currently in Merak (Indonesia), be allowed to come to Australia.

As part of the government’s alleged ‘Indonesian Solution’, Kevin Rudd personally requested that the Indonesian Navy intercept the boat to stop the people from entering Australian waters. His aim was to sub contract the problem out to Indonesia.

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“Abolish functional constituencies – we want universal suffrage!”

The first day of 2010 saw Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement hit the ground running. On 1 January the crowds of demonstrators exceeded the organisers’ expectations, in a massive protest setting the tone for what could be an explosive political year in Hong Kong – and China. Instead of the 10,000 hoped for, 30,000 took part.

By Chinaworker.info reporters

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New website of the USP now online!

In late December the United Socialist Party (USP) in Sri Lanka launched its presidential election campaign by distributing their election manifesto in the North, East, and Central Provinces. This incorporated most major cities in these provinces including Jaffna.

As part of the campaign USP leader and presidential candidate Siritunga Jayasuriya has held a number of pocket meetings and public gatherings in the areas of Hatton, Thalawakele, Lindula, Nuwara Eliya, and surrounding areas. Siritunga addressed plantation workers and other communities in these areas.

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Socialist MEP condemns Rudd

Tamil refugees moored at the port in Merak contacted Socialist Party officials this morning with the tragic news that a young man died last night at about 11.30pm local time.

By Socialist Party reporters

Jacob Christin, aged 29, had been trying to go to hospital for the last two days but the IOM and local authorities had refused to let him leave the port. They have also been denying medical staff access to the boat for some weeks.

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We are sickeningly familiar with the arrogant, cruel statements of Sri Lankan prime minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa, and his cronies. They dismiss any criticism of their brutal war against Tamil-speaking people and the horrific aftermath of mass internment camps, militarised zones and a clampdown on media freedoms and democratic rights. But how can Rajapaksa & Company get away with it?

By Manny Thain, Socialist Party

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Interview with union Chairman, Kiswoyo

Textile workers from the Istana Magnoliatama factory in north Jakarta have been occupying their workplace for more than 2 years. Socialist Party National Organiser Anthony Main visited the factory in late November and interviewed Kiswoyo - a member of KASBI and the union Chairman at the plant.

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Socialist Party National Organiser Anthony Main is currently in Indonesia. On Friday he visited the 254 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees currently moored at the port in Merak. Below he reports on the discussions that took place during his visit and on the conditions faced on board the ship.

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Socialist Party National Organiser and refugee activist Anthony Main recently visited the 254 Tamil refugees stranded on board the boat in Merak, Indonesia.

Anthony was invited to the boat by the refugees who have been frustrated that the media have been denied access to them for more than a week. He was accompanied by representatives from the Indonesian trade union movement and human rights lawyers.

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