People's Progressive Party (Malaysia)

People's Progressive Party Parti Progresif Penduduk Malaysia 人民進步黨
Abbreviation	myPPP
President	M. Kayveas
Secretary-General	Mohan Kandasamy
Vice President	Maglin D'Cruz K.D. Siva Kumar Chiw Tiang Chai M. Gandhi Loga Bala Mohan Jaganathan Nik Sapeia
Women's Chief	C. Josephine Anne
Youth Chief	Harridz Mohan
Men's Youth Chief	R. Suthesan
Women's Youth Chief	Nur Farina Noor Hashim
Founder	D. R. Seenivasagam
Founded	10 April 1953
Preceded by	Perak Progressive Party
Headquarters	Wisma myPPP 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
Slogan	Bersuara Bersama Komuniti
Dewan Negara:	1 / 70
Dewan Rakyat:	0 / 222
Dewan Undangan Negeri:	0 / 587
Election symbol
Website
www.ppp.org.my
Politics of Malaysia Political parties Elections

The People's Progressive Party (Malay: Parti Progresif Penduduk Malaysia, abbreviated myPPP) 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.
• 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 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
• 2014
  • 30 November : M. Kayveas announced his new line for the supreme council for the term 2014-2019 who have won uncontested. Five vice-presidents won uncontested Loga Bala Mohan, A. Chandrakumanan, Maglin Dennis D'cruz, Ong and Eleyappan
• 2015
  • 15 November : M. Kayveas announced rebranding of Party from PPP to My PPP (#myPPP) with new tagline "Proud to be a Malaysian (#P2baM).

List of party leaders

President of People's Progressive Party

Order	Portrait	Name[3]	Term of office		Elected
1		D. R. Seenivasagam	1953	1969
2		S. P. Seenivasagam	1969	1975
3		Khong Kok Yet	1975	1978
4		S. I. Rajah	1978	1982
5		Paramjit Singh	1982	1985
6		Tee Ah Chuan	1985	1986
(5)		Paramjit Singh	1986	1988
7		Mak Hon Kam	1988	1988
8		S. I. Rajah	1988	1993
9		M. Kayveas	1993	Incumbent

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

Elected representatives

Dewan Negara (Senate)

Senators

1. Loga Bala Mohan Jaganathan – appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong

Notes and references

1. Suthakar, K. (20 November 2006). PPP offers Gerakan merger. The Star.
2. Anwar announces defection from PPP (4 April 2009). . Malaysiakini.
3. myPPP Party History

Other references

• Pillai, M.G.G. (3 November 2005). "National Front parties were not formed to fight for Malaysian independence". Malaysia Today.

External links

• Official website