Event report · Rumah Relau · 1 November 2026
On Sunday, 1 November 2026, Sosialis Alternatif organised a special exhibition, documentary screening and public forum at Rumah Relau, Kuala Lumpur, commemorating the historic workers’ struggles in Malaya. Around 40–50 people attended throughout the day.
Recovering the history of workers’ struggle
The exhibition brought together different chapters of Malayan working-class history that are often forgotten or left out of mainstream historical narratives.
A special timeline traced the development of the labour movement in Malaya, highlighting the role of workers and trade unions in the struggle against colonial rule. The exhibition also featured a memorial to the Batu Arang Soviet and the militant struggles of mineworkers, a display on the Batang Kali massacre, and historical photographs of leaders from the Pan-Malayan Federation of Trade Unions (PMFTU) and the Singapore Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU).
Through photographs, historical accounts and specially prepared displays, visitors were introduced to a history of resistance, solidarity and working-class organisation that deserves to be remembered. The exhibition also created space for questions and discussion, connecting that history with the issues we face today.
10 Tahun Sebelum Merdeka
The event continued with a screening of 10 Tahun Sebelum Merdeka, a documentary by Fahmi Reza. The film was particularly relevant to the exhibition, exploring the political struggles preceding Malaya’s independence and the important role played by workers and mass movements.
Let’s build a workers’ party in Malaysia!
The event concluded with a lively forum titled “Let’s Build a Workers’ Party in Malaysia.” The discussion explored what we mean by a workers’ party, why the Malaysian working class needs its own independent political representation, and how such a party could emerge through the struggles developing in society.
We discussed why building a workers’ party is not simply a distant aspiration, but a real possibility—and, given the deepening crisis of capitalism and the contradictions of existing political parties, an increasingly probable development.
The forum also highlighted why a party rooted in the working class, armed with a socialist programme, is necessary to challenge the capitalist system and fight for a different future.
Their history is our history. Their struggles are not over.
For Sosialis Alternatif, the event was more than a commemoration of the past. The workers who organised strikes, built unions and challenged colonial rule have left behind important lessons for a new generation.
We thank everyone who attended, contributed to the discussions and helped make the exhibition possible. We hope to continue these conversations and bring the lessons of working-class history into the struggles of today.
Remember the past. Organise for the future. Build a workers’ party!