KAJANG - Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) deputy chairman S Arutchelvan has said that the party is trying to protect the public's interests by focusing on people's issues such as public housing and public healthcare.
"We are an ideological party that focuses on the people.
"We believe that it is important to bring these concerns back to the people's attention," Arutchelvan, who is also known as Arul, told reporters today.
Arul said that PSM is also trying to become Malaysia's most powerful opposition party, but it faces challenges because Malaysian politics has become "entirely focused on race and religion" since 1969.
"Even now, for example, Perikatan Nasional advises don't vote for Pakatan Harapan because of racial issues, and PH says the same thing. Both parties play racial politics," he said.
Arul said that PSM is trying to focus on issues that affect everyone, regardless of race or religion.
"We want to protect the public interest.
"That is why we opposed the privatisation of pharmacies and government hospitals in the past.
"We also want to revamp the drainage system and provide free transport services to hospitals," he added.
On state polls, Arul said that PSM is trying to improve the quality of life in Kajang, where he served as a councillor for two terms.
"We want to give the people more power and responsibility to manage their own communities.
"We believe that this will lead to a better quality of life for everyone," he said.
Arul said that PSM is an ideological party that is fearless in standing up for what it believes in.
"We survived not because of elections but because of our beliefs.
"We are going to keep fighting for the people, even if it means we don't win many seats in this election," he stressed.