People's Progressive Party (Malaysia)
| People's Progressive Party | |
|---|---|
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Parti Progresif Penduduk Malaysia 人民進步黨 | |
_logo.png){kind=logo} | |
| Abbreviation | PPP |
| President | M. Kayveas |
| Secretary-General | Mohan Kandasamy |
| Spokesperson | A. Chandrakumanan |
| Founder | D. R. Seenivasagam |
| Women's Chief | C. Josephine Anne |
| Youth Chief | Harridz Mohan |
| Men's Youth Chief | R. Suthesan |
| Women's Youth Chief | Nur Farina Noor Hashim |
| Slogan | Bersuara Bersama Komuniti |
| Founded | 10 April 1953 |
| Preceded by | Perak Progressive Party |
| Headquarters | Wisma PPP 74, Jalan Rotan, Kampung Attap, 50460 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Youth wing | PPP Youth Movement |
| Women's wing | PPP Women's Movement |
| Men's youth wing | PPP Putera Movement |
| Women's youth wing | PPP Puteri Movement |
| Membership (2006) | 500,000 |
| Ideology | Centrism, nationalism |
| Political position | Centre |
| National affiliation |
Alliance (1954–55) Barisan Nasional (1973–present) |
| Colours | Gold, blue, red, white |
| Dewan Negara: |
1 / 70 |
| Dewan Rakyat: |
0 / 222 |
| Dewan Undangan Negeri: |
0 / 576 |
| Election symbol | |
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| Website | |
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Politics of Malaysia Political parties Elections | |
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The People's Progressive Party (Parti Progresif Penduduk Malaysia) is a political party in Malaysia.
The party is one of the constituent members of the ruling National Front (Barisan Nasional) and is a multiracial party.
History
PPP was formed in 1953 by the Seenivasagam brothers mainly as an opposition party to the Alliance; the party's first president was Kanagaratnam Pillai with the Seenivasagam brothers as office bearers. It was hugely popular party upon inception, particularly due to the popularity of the brothers who spoke up for justice, equality and the common man.
For a short period in 1953, PPP joined the ruling Alliance with UMNO, MIC, and MCA (which would later become the Barisan Nasional), but withdrew in 1954 over disagreement with the Alliance on allocation of seats, to become an opposition party again. In 1969, as a strong opposition party, PPP was nearly able to form the Perak State Government, but fell short of just 2 seats in combination with the opposition to form the state assembly when 2 of its members crossed over. The success of PPP was mainly due to the Chinese vote, though many of the top leaders then were Indians.
In 1973, PPP became one of the founding members of the National Front. It was brought into the National Front to keep the Indian and Chinese vote, especially after the 1969 racial riots.
However, joining the coalition would prove its undoing as it lost nearly all its seats when it contested under the Barisan Nasional ticket in the 1974 General Elections. This was mainly due to Chinese anti-establishment feeling that was prevailing at that time.
Today, under the leadership of M. Kayveas, the PPP has a membership of more than 500,000 with a network of over 3000 branches throughout the country. All registered members carry a membership card signed by the President; the President's card is signed by the Secretary General. As of 2006, 48% of the PPP's membership is Indian, 32% are Chinese, 13% are Malay, and the rest are of other ethnicities.[1]
In November 2006, party president, M. Kayveas, proposed a merger between the PPP and another Barisan Nasional party, the Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (GERAKAN). Koh Tsu Koon, Gerakan's Deputy President, welcomed the suggestion.[1]
The 2008 Malaysian General Elections saw the party being decimated. However the party retained its representation in the Senate and was later allocated a Deputy Minister post occupied by T. Murugiah.
Chronology
- 1953: PPP is formed under the name 'Perak Progressive Party' to participate in the political future of the impending independence of Malaya.
- 1954: PPP becomes a component of the Alliance. Wins a seat in the Ipoh Town Council.
- 1955: Withdrew from the Alliance before the 1955 Federal Legislative Council Elections due to non-allocation of seats for PPP.
- 1956: To reflect a national image, the party's name was changed to People's Progressive Party.
- 1957: Party president, D. R. Seenivasagam won the by-election for the Ipoh Parliamentary seat and becomes PPP's first Member of Parliament.
- 1959: PPP wins 4 parliamentary and 8 state assembly seats in the 1959 General Elections.
- 1960: PPP win 1 more Parliamentary seat making it 5 MPs in parliament. PPP consolidated its position in Ipoh and turned Ipoh Municipality into an exemplary model of local administration.
- 1964: PPP won 4 parliamentary and 6 state seats in the 1964 General Elections.
- 1969: Party President and prime mover, D. R. Seenivasagam passes away and the leadership of the party is taken over by co-founder S. P. Seenivasagam. Despite the change of leadership, PPP goes on to win 4 parliamentary seats and 12 state assembly seats in the 1969 General Election. The opportunity to form the Perak State Government slips away due to a shortage of 2 seats.
- 1972: PPP charts a new milestone by making a decision to join the Barisan Nasional. The decision was based on the belief that for the country to achieve political, social and economic stability, parochial and narrow party interests must be given up for a national multi racial outlook.
- 1974: PPP contested under Barisan Nasional symbol and wins 1 parliamentary and 2 state seats in the 1974 General Elections.
- 1975: Party President S. P. Seenivasagam passes away and Mr Khong Kok Yet becomes President.
- 1978: S I Rajah is elected President.
- 1982: Paramjit Singh is elected President.
- 1985: Tee Ah Chuan takes over the party Presidency after Paramjit Singh steps down.
- 1986: Paramjit Singh becomes President again following the resignation of Tee Ah Chuan.
- 1988: Mak Hon Kam becomes President after a private deal with Paramjit Singh. Following a court injunction against Mak Hon Kam, S I Rajah becomes Acting President. The court later decides that the Registrar of Societies determine the legitimate leader.
- 1993: M. Kayveas becomes President following Mr S I Rajah's retirement from active politics.
- 1994: The Registrar of Societies decides and recognises M. Kayveas as the lawful President.
- 1995
- 19 March: An Extraordinary Delegates Conference was held and the following were unanimously adopted:
- The party Logo, which is a six pointed red star, be changed to a six pointed blue star with the letters PPP in the center of the star.
- The National President is the only spokesman for the party.
- Branch membership to be reduced to 27 from the current number of 50.
- To update the Registry of members and Membership Cards be issued and ensure active membership participation.
- 26 March: M. Kayveas attended the First Barisan Nasional Convention and signed the Barisan Nasional Charter as the National President of PPP.
- 12 April: Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional chairman launch the new logo of PPP
- 25 April: PPP actively participates in the General Elections extending their fullest support to all Barisan Nasional candidates.
- 5 June: The Registrar of Societies is sued for having made a decision in favour of M. Kayveas.
- 5 October: The court accepted M. Kayveas and his CEC to intervene in the suit.
- 21 October: The Registrar of Societies confirms that until further notice of its decision, M. Kayveas and his CEC shall remain the only legal office bearers of the party.
- 19 March: An Extraordinary Delegates Conference was held and the following were unanimously adopted:
- 1999
- 18 September: An attempt was made by a group of expelled members to challenge the leadership of PPP via a ruling from the Seremban High Court. It was subsequently nullified on 14 October 1999 by the Court of Appeal which decided in favour of M. Kayveas' leadership of the PPP.
- 2000
- 6 December: As promised by the then Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, M. Kayveas was appointed Senator in the Dewan Negara.
- 2001
- 30 January: Appointment of the party President as a Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Housing and Local Government.
- 27 May: A 25-acre (100,000 m2) land was donated to PPP by Hua Yang Development Sdn Bhd for the purpose of setting up and Institution of Higher Learning. The signing ceremony was held in the Ipoh City and Country Club.
- 2005
- 24 September: Kayveas retained his position unopposed after only one nomination was submitted for the president's post.
- 2008
- March: Kayveas loses his federal seat. PPP's future is widely questioned.
- 2009
- 4 April: Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim announces People's Progressive Party (PPP) vice-president V. Nagarajan along with 11 of the party's divisions will be defecting to PKR.[2]
- 2009
- 25 June: Kayveas announced his new line for the supreme council for the term 2009–2014. He also appointed three vice-presidents: Loga Bala, M. Gandi, and Nik Safiea; Treasurer Ghana; and Information Chief A. Chandrakumanan from the Federal Territory.
- 2009
- Kayveas announced New Youth Chief : Jamal Gulhamhan & Putera Chief : R. Suthesan from Johor
- 2009
- 12 August: M. Kayveas is the valid People’s Progressive Party (PPP) president while sacked youth chief T. Murugiah’s appointment as president at a 24 May Emergency General Meeting (EGM) is invalid, the Registrar of Societies (ROS) has decided. Murugiah’s sacking has also been found to be have been conducted according to provisions in the party constitution and is therefore deemed valid.
- 2014 PPP get more Counselor posts in local government and 2 Senator Post with 1 Deputy Minister
Presidents
- D. R. Seenivasagam (1953–1969)
- S. P. Seenivasagam (1969–1975)
- Khong Kok Yet (1975–1978)
- S. I. Rajah (1978–1982)
- Paramjit Singh (1982–1985)
- Tee Ah Chuan (1985–1986)
- Paramjit Singh – second term (1986–1988)
- Mak Hon Kam (1988)
- S. I. Rajah (1988–1993)
- M. Kayveas (1993–present)
General election results
| Election | Total seats won | Total votes | Share of votes | Outcome of election | Election leader |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | 0 / 144 |
1,081 | 0.1% |  ; Opposition |
D. R. Seenivasagam |
| 1959 | 4 / 144 |
97,391 | 6.3% |  4 seats; Opposition |
D. R. Seenivasagam |
| 1964 | 2 / 144 |
69,898 | 3.4% |  2 seats; Opposition |
D. R. Seenivasagam |
| 1969 | 4 / 144 |
80,756 | 3.4% | 2 seats; Opposition |
S. P. Seenivasagam |
| 1974 | 1 / 144 |
3 seats; Governing coalition (Barisan Nasional) |
S. P. Seenivasagam | ||
| 1978 | 0 / 154 |
1 seat; Governing coalition (Barisan Nasional) |
S. I. Rajah | ||
| 1982 | 0 / 154 |
; Governing coalition (Barisan Nasional) |
Paramjit Singh | ||
| 1986 | 0 / 177 |
; Governing coalition (Barisan Nasional) |
Paramjit Singh | ||
| 1990 | 0 / 180 |
; Governing coalition (Barisan Nasional) |
S. I. Rajah | ||
| 1995 | 0 / 192 |
; Governing coalition (Barisan Nasional) |
M. Kayveas | ||
| 1999 | 0 / 193 |
; Governing coalition (Barisan Nasional) |
M. Kayveas | ||
| 2004 | 1 / 219 |
1 seat; Governing coalition (Barisan Nasional) |
M. Kayveas | ||
| 2008 | 0 / 222 |
16,800 | 0.21% | 1 seat; Governing coalition (Barisan Nasional) |
M. Kayveas |
| 2013 | 0 / 222 |
7,530 | 0.07% | ; Governing coalition (Barisan Nasional) |
M. Kayveas |
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Suthakar, K. (20 November 2006). PPP offers Gerakan merger. The Star.
- ↑ Anwar announces defection from PPP (4 April 2009). . Malaysiakini.
Other references
- Pillai, M.G.G. (3 November 2005). "National Front parties were not formed to fight for Malaysian independence". Malaysia Today.
