Malayan Peoples' Socialist Front

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Malayan Peoples' Socialist Front
Fron Sosialis Rakyat Malaya
Abbreviation SF
Founder Ahmad Boestamam
Founded 31 August 1957
Legalised 29 July 1958
Dissolved 10 January 1966
Succeeded by Angkatan Perpaduan Ummah (APU)
Gagasan Rakyat (GR)
Headquarters Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Membership Partai Rakyat (PR)
Parti Buruh Malaya (PBM)
National Convention Party (NCP)
Ideology Democratic socialism
Left-wing nationalism
Political position Left-wing
Colours Red
Politics of Malaysia
Political parties
Elections

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The Malayan Peoples' Socialist Front (Malay: Fron Sosialis Rakyat Malaya) or better known as Socialist Front (SF) was a left-wing coalition of Malaysian socialist parties. It is noted as the longest standing opposition coalition in Malaysian general election history (11 years).The coalition were formed by Partai Rakyat (PR) and Parti Buruh Malaya (PBM) on Hari Merdeka.[1][2] In 1964, National Convention Party (NCP) joined the coalition.[3]PR to left the coalition on 1965 and NCP soon become inactive. PBM, the only remaining party in SF, abandoned it on 10 January 1966 and reverted to its own banner.It took 21 years before another opposition coalition formed in Malaysian political scene which were Angkatan Perpaduan Ummah (APU) and Gagasan Rakyat (GR) in 1990.

History

The coalition were formed on Hari Merdeka by Partai Rakyat (PR),representing Malay leftist and Parti Buruh Malaya (PBM), representing mainly Chinese leftists.The first chairman was Ahmad Boestamam, the PR president.

In 1959 General Elections, the Socialist Front (SF) managed to gain 8 seats in Selangor, Johor, and Penang constituencies. It gained 34.6% of the popular vote cast in the constituencies.[4] SF as a whole successfully garnering 13% of the votes becoming the third largest party in Parliament after the Alliance and the Pan Malaysian Islamic Party (PMIP).

The Socialist Front managed to gain 13 out of 14 seats in George Town, Penang during the 1961 Local Elections.[4] The SF was further strengthened when the former Minister of Agriculture, Aziz Ishak, brought his National Convention Party into the coalition.[5]Ahmad Boestamam resigned as SF chairman in 1961 to concentrate on leading PR.[6]

In 1963, shortly after the events of the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation, the government has taken action against several opposition politicians and activists. SF was seen as pro-Indonesia and pro-China,[7][8] causing the Socialist Front leader was arrested.Among those detained and arrested was Ahmad Boestamam (PR president), Ishak Haji Muhammad (PBM president), Abdul Aziz Ishak (Gerakan Angkatan Melayu Sedar president) and Datuk Kampo Radjo (later to become president of the PRM), Tan Kai Hee, Tan Hock Hin, Dr. Rajakumar, Hasnul Hadi, Tajuddin Kahar and hundreds of others.Rallies and mass demonstrations were held on February 13, 1965 in Kuala Lumpur in conjunction with the second anniversary of the detention of Ahmad Boestamam and others to oppose the mass arrests of activists and leaders of the SF under the Internal Security Act (ISA) and the alleged involvement activities "subversion".[9][10]

In 1964 General Elections,the Socialist Front lost 6 seats and managed to maintain 2 seats.PR and the NCP failed to gain any seats at all and the PBM lost significant number of seats.[11] Cancellation of local government elections in 1965 after the declaration of Emergency in 1964 because of continued confrontation,weaken the impact of SF. Dispute between two party lead PR to left the coalition on 1965 and NCP soon become inactive. PBM, the only party in SF that held seats, abandoned it on 10 January 1966 and reverted to its own banner.[12]

Aftermath

In 1968, most of PBM's members linked up with UDP members to form Gerakan.PBM boycott the 1969 elections and organise demonstrations against the detention of its leaders by the government.[13][14]

After the elections, PBM continued in the face of tough action by the government and was finally wounded up on 6 September 1972.[15] PR changed its name to Parti Sosialis Rakyat Malaysia (PSRM) in 1970 and again in 1989 (Parti Rakyat Malaysia-PRM).

Ahmad Boestamam and Ishak Haji Muhammad established Parti Marhaen Malaysia (PMM) in 1968.PMM then merged with Parti Keadilan Masyarakat Malaysia in 1974. He try to re surge the coalition before 1974 elections, but failed.[16]

Component parties

Elected Representatives

General elections result

Election Total seats won Total votes Share of votes Outcome of election Election leader
1959
8 / 104
199,688 12.9% Increase8 seats; Opposition coalition Ahmad Boestaman
1964
2 / 104
330,898 16.1% Decrease6 seats; Opposition coalition Tan Chee Khoon

State election results

State election State Legislative Assembly
Perlis State Legislative Assembly Kedah State Legislative Assembly Kelantan State Legislative Assembly Terengganu State Legislative Assembly Penang State Legislative Assembly Perak State Legislative Assembly Pahang State Legislative Assembly Selangor State Legislative Assembly Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly Malacca State Legislative Assembly Johor State Legislative Assembly Sabah State Legislative Assembly Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Total won / Total contested
1959
0 / 12
0 / 24
0 / 30
0 / 24
7 / 24
0 / 40
0 / 24
3 / 28
3 / 24
0 / 20
3 / 32
1964
0 / 12
0 / 24
0 / 30
0 / 24
2 / 24
0 / 40
0 / 24
3 / 28
0 / 24
2 / 20
0 / 32

References

  1. ↑ Penang Story: Facing Up to Storm Clouds : The Labour Party of Malaya, Penang Division, 1963 – 1969
  2. ↑ R.K Vasil, (1971) Politics in a Plural Society :A Study of Non-Communal Political Parties in West Malaysia, p185 ISBN 978-0-19-638127-5
  3. ↑ Rahman, (1997) Pemikiran Islam di Malaysia: sejarah dan aliran, p130 ISBN 978-9795614302
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Maidin, (2004), The Unsung Heroes, p120 ISBN 9676115827
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Weiss, Meredith Leigh (2005). Protest and Possibilities: Civil Society and Coalitions for Political Change in Malaysia. Palo Alto: Stanford University Press. p. 324. ISBN 0-8047-5295-8.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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