THE MIC might be part of the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition that supports the Madani government of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

However, it should be accepted that the grand old “mother” party of Indians is not in a position to prevent Indian voters from moving to the side of the opposition, the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition.

Gone are the days when the party was regarded as the sole representatives of Indians in the country, particularly the Tamils.

Today, the party might still exist but for all intents and purposes, it might not be able to prevent the shift of Indian votes to the PN come the next national polls.

The six states elections on Aug 12 last year were indicative of the slow but sure Indian support for the PN opposition.

It is estimated that about 21% of Indian voters gave their support to the PN candidates in the west coast states of the peninsula. It is not that the PN has whole-heartedly embraced the Indian community as it is still caught up in the race and religious rhetoric.

It is not so much the attraction of the opposition but rather Indians very own disappointment with the present Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led Madani or unity government.

Anwar’s famous line that Malays, Chinese, Indians and others are children has vanished into thin air. He has the tendency to say one thing but does another thing. All the promises and assurances of creating an inclusive Malaysian society remains a pipe dream.

Door slammed on Indians

Indians face racial discrimination in the public service employment, had to put up with their limited entry into public universities and the matriculation programme.

Despite being a marginalised and a poor community, Indians are denied opportunities to engage in business and entrepreneurial activities in the economy.

Indians are not only disrespected because of their poor economic status but face the double whammy of ethnic and racial discrimination. In brief, Indians are regarded as third class citizens of the country.

If the Madani government cannot fulfill its promises, what political option is left for the Indians? Do they have to wait for the day when the government can open its eyes to see the conditions of Indians in the country?

The so-called multi-racial political parties have been a big disappointment for Indians. There is a growing realisation that the phony concept means nothing to the progress and advancement of the community.

Multi-racialism has become a convenient cloak to camouflage the narrow sectarian politics of the DAP and PKR. A sprinkling of Indians in political posts in the government is just to appease the community.

In the last state elections, DAP dropped a number of vociferous Indian leaders just because they dared to oppose the government’s partiality towards Indians.

I seriously doubt that the unity government can do something drastic to arrest the drift of Indian support towards the opposition.

Indians are prepared to support the opposition even though they have not been assured that things will better if there is change of government in the future.

The coming by-elections for the Selangor state constituency of Kuala Kubu Bharu might be the litmus test of Indian support to the opposition. If the opposition can obtain half of the 18% Indian voters, victory might be snatched away from the PH-led government.

If the PH-led government has betrayed the Indian community, there is no conceivable harm for the community to go along with the opposition.

In short, Indians have nothing to gain under the present government but there is possibility that things might be brighter under the opposition-led government. - March 28, 2024

Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the Urimai (United Rights of Malaysian Party) Interim Council.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia

https://focusmalaysia.my/ramasamy-going-for-the-broke-indians-are-ready-to-support-the-opposition-pn-in-droves/