BUTTERWORTH (April 10): Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) has resurfaced to take on 80 state seats and 20 Parliament seats in the country during the 14th General Election, with an objective of playing the role of an effectiveopposition party to the ruling government.

Its secretary-general Koh Swe Yong told reporters here that the party will be contesting against incumbents from both political coalitions in Penang, Perak, Kedah and Sabah.

“We will be using our own money to fund our candidacy, as opposed to allegations that we are receiving funds from Barisan Nasional and Umno. If we did do that, we will be contesting more than 100 seats. We are not here to split votes but to play the role of an effective check and balance to the government,” Koh said.

Democratic socialist PRM was formed in 1955 by leftist Ahmad Boestamam. In the past, several of its leaders, including six presidents, had been arrested under the Internal Security Act for reasons including its affiliation with communism. To date, it has about 10,000 members.