What is the point of breaking the hold of the old colonial masters in countries such as Malaysia if the people do not gain their freedom and do not have their democratic rights respected?

That was the question posed by Australian Democratic Socialist Party president John Percy in declaring his party's support for Parti Socialis Malaysia's eight-year struggle to be formally registered.

Similarly, messages from groups and individuals from almost every continent have been pouring in, all pledging solidarity and support as the party gears up for their April 10 submission at the Courts of Appeal in Putrajaya.

The party is appealing against a high court decision to reject their application to reverse the directive of the Home Affairs Ministry for rejecting the party's application to register as a political party.

'Threat to security'

Thompson E Potter of Harvard of Harvard Law School said that citizens of the world concerned with justice are closely watching the government and courts to uphold PSM's right to association.

"The world is most concerned and well aware of PSM's righteous struggle for freedom, so in keeping with the legitimate aspirations of the people of Malaysia for justice, equality, security, and economic progress," he said in his solidarity message.

Meanwhile, Christine Lehnert, a city councillor of Rostok, Germany expressed her "disgust and disappointment" over PSM's treatment.

"You (the Home Affairs Ministry) claim to deny PSM's application for reasons of national security. The only threat to security I see in this situation is the failure of the Malaysian government to secure democracy and human rights," she said in her message emailed to PSM.

Watching brief

The party has twice failed in its application with the Registrar of Societies under the purview of the then Home Affairs Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who is presently the prime minister.

The party is hoping to bank on Article 10 of the Federal Constitution which specifies that each citizen has the basic right to form an organisation.

Monday's hearing is expected to draw a huge crowd of PSM supporters who will gather outside the courthouse.

The Bar Council and human rights groups Aliran, Suaram and Hakam have announced that they will be holding a watching brief.