Malaysia鈥檚 May 9 general elections caused a shock upset, with the Barisan Nasional (BN) losing control of the government for the first time since independence in 1957. This was a historic win for the opposition against the corrupt, authoritarian ruling party.
S. Arutchelvan
The Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM), respected as a small principled party that packs a big punch, is running its largest election campaign yet. Peter Boyle speaks to its campaign coordinator.
It is 2.34am in Malaysia and S. Arutchelvan (better known as 鈥淎rul鈥) is typing in answers to my questions on the PSM campaign in the country鈥檚 general election on May 9.
Riding the crest of a powerful Bersih (鈥渃lean鈥) democracy movement in the streets, Malaysia鈥檚 Pakatan Rakyat (People's Pact) opposition alliance won 53% of the popular vote in the 2013 general election. Gerrymandered electorates, however, ensured they took only 40% of the seats.
Yet as a new general election approaches, likely early next year, the incumbent Barisan Nasional (National Front, BN) government looks set to easily hold on the power.