Gabrielle Chong
Poor PSM! – Obstacles after obstacles the Parti Socialis Malaysia has to face before it could be officially recognised as a political party.
The latest hitch is expected to make its recognition more elusive – the authorities are now saying that the party’s logo – a white coloured clenched fist against a red backdrop – has “connotations of violence” and is “morally unsuitable”.
This issue of a ‘violent logo’ has never been brought up in the decade-long PSM-ROS (Registrar of Societies) tussle for registration. Prior to this, PSM was also denied registration from 1998 to 2008 as it was regarded as a threat to national security.
This morning, PSM leaders submitted a memorandum to Election Commission (EC) chairperson Abdul Aziz bin Mohd Yusof to appeal for registration.
According to the memorandum, the party was finally approved by the Home Ministry on August 19, 2008 and registered by the ROS in accordance with the Societies Act 1966.