Ramasamy: Tragic position of Indians in DAP; Chinese support is also diminishing
By Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy
THE Indian community within DAP finds itself in a difficult position, particularly in light of recent developments during the Penang state elections.
Although Ramkarpal Singh, the Gelugor MP, received the highest votes in the elections, he was passed over for the of Penang DAP chairmanship (he was made deputy chairman). Instead, Steven Sim, the Bukit Mertajam MP and the current Human Resources Minister was appointed as chairman.
Tensions surfaced during the question-and-answer (Q&A) session at the DAP state meeting with several Indian delegates expressing dissatisfaction with the party’s state leadership.
Their concern centered around the party’s perceived failure to adequately address the needs of the Indian community in Penang.
Ramkarpal Singh (left) who polled the highest number of votes in the Penang DAP election has been made the party’s state deputy chairman (Image credit: Asia Samachar)
One delegate criticised Jelutong MP RSN Rayer who heads the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB) for not doing enough for Hindus in the state. The delegate went so far as to suggest that a state EXCO member should take over the leadership of the board.
Indians, the majority of whom are Tamils, constitute about 20% of DAP’s membership. However, many within the community feel marginalised within the party.
The DAP’s national leadership which is dominated by Chinese members has been accused of recognising and appointing only those Indians who are willing to be submissive to the party line.
‘Chinese interest’
Indian leaders who are openly critical of the leadership often face removal from their positions. While there are Indian leaders in DAP, their performance is perceived as subpar due to expectations that they remain deferential to their Chinese counterparts.
Similarly, the position of Malay leaders within DAP mirrors that of the Indians despite their smaller numbers. Many Malay leaders are viewed as mere symbols of the party’s multi-racialism rather than as influential figures with meaningful power.
One delegate criticised Jelutong MP RSN Rayer who heads the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB) for not doing enough for Hindus in the state. The delegate went so far as to suggest that a state EXCO member should take over the leadership of the board.
Indians, the majority of whom are Tamils, constitute about 20% of DAP’s membership. However, many within the community feel marginalised within the party.
The DAP’s national leadership which is dominated by Chinese members has been accused of recognising and appointing only those Indians who are willing to be submissive to the party line.
‘Chinese interest’
Indian leaders who are openly critical of the leadership often face removal from their positions. While there are Indian leaders in DAP, their performance is perceived as subpar due to expectations that they remain deferential to their Chinese counterparts.
Similarly, the position of Malay leaders within DAP mirrors that of the Indians despite their smaller numbers. Many Malay leaders are viewed as mere symbols of the party’s multi-racialism rather than as influential figures with meaningful power.
Human Resources Minister and Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim Chee Keong (holding microphone) is the new Penang DAP chairman to succeed outgoing Chow Kon Yeow who is also the Penang Chief Minister
Despite its public stance as a multi-racial party, it is widely believed that DAP remains predominantly focused on Chinese interests, constantly positioning itself as a better alternative to MCA.
The Setapak Declaration which emphasises multi-racialism and forms the core of DAP’s ideology seems increasingly outdated. The party’s current practices appear to reflect more ethnic-based politics by predominantly catering to the Chinese community.
Indians flocked to DAP and PKR after the HINDRAF movement highlighted their socio-economic struggles in the country. This momentum translated into significant Indian support for the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition during the 2008 general elections.
However, DAP today seems far removed from the party it was 15 years ago. While it continues to espouse multi-racialism – in practice – it appears to compete with MCA for Chinese votes.
The few Indian leaders holding positions in the party – at both national and state levels – do not indicate that DAP takes the Indian community seriously. As with the Malays, Indians are often used as token representation to maintain the image of a multi-racial party.
Despite its public stance as a multi-racial party, it is widely believed that DAP remains predominantly focused on Chinese interests, constantly positioning itself as a better alternative to MCA.
The Setapak Declaration which emphasises multi-racialism and forms the core of DAP’s ideology seems increasingly outdated. The party’s current practices appear to reflect more ethnic-based politics by predominantly catering to the Chinese community.
Indians flocked to DAP and PKR after the HINDRAF movement highlighted their socio-economic struggles in the country. This momentum translated into significant Indian support for the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition during the 2008 general elections.
However, DAP today seems far removed from the party it was 15 years ago. While it continues to espouse multi-racialism – in practice – it appears to compete with MCA for Chinese votes.
The few Indian leaders holding positions in the party – at both national and state levels – do not indicate that DAP takes the Indian community seriously. As with the Malays, Indians are often used as token representation to maintain the image of a multi-racial party.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow
Diminishing Indian support
A handful of political appointments at the federal and state levels have diluted the party’s ideological appeal as a champion of non-Malay communities.
Power, positions and perks appear to have shifted the focus of DAP leaders, leading them to form political alliances with UMNO under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition.
However, despite this political pact, UMNO continues to criticise and attack DAP with the latter’s leaders often appearing passive in their response.
Diminishing Indian support
A handful of political appointments at the federal and state levels have diluted the party’s ideological appeal as a champion of non-Malay communities.
Power, positions and perks appear to have shifted the focus of DAP leaders, leading them to form political alliances with UMNO under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition.
However, despite this political pact, UMNO continues to criticise and attack DAP with the latter’s leaders often appearing passive in their response.
Indians who have seen a significant decline in support for the PH coalition since the 2023 state elections will soon need to decide whether to remain within DAP.
It is estimated that Indian support for PH has dropped from 80% to around 40%. This trend continued in recent by-elections such as those in Kuala Kubu Baru (KKB) and Sungai Bakap, where a notable number of Indians rejected the PH-led coalition.
Even Chinese voters seem less enthusiastic about DAP’s current trajectory though their discontent appears more related to the lack of a viable political alternative.
In the Sungai Bakap by-election, for instance, there was a low turnout of Chinese voters with Chinese voters appearing reluctant to support the UMNO candidate in the upcoming Mahkota by-election.
As dissatisfaction grows both among Indians and Chinese, it is becoming increasingly clear that DAP’s ability to claim representation for non-Malays may be under threat.
If both communities begin to withdraw their support, the party will be forced to re-consider its long-held stance as the defender of non-Malay interests. – Sept 26, 2024
Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
It is estimated that Indian support for PH has dropped from 80% to around 40%. This trend continued in recent by-elections such as those in Kuala Kubu Baru (KKB) and Sungai Bakap, where a notable number of Indians rejected the PH-led coalition.
Even Chinese voters seem less enthusiastic about DAP’s current trajectory though their discontent appears more related to the lack of a viable political alternative.
In the Sungai Bakap by-election, for instance, there was a low turnout of Chinese voters with Chinese voters appearing reluctant to support the UMNO candidate in the upcoming Mahkota by-election.
As dissatisfaction grows both among Indians and Chinese, it is becoming increasingly clear that DAP’s ability to claim representation for non-Malays may be under threat.
If both communities begin to withdraw their support, the party will be forced to re-consider its long-held stance as the defender of non-Malay interests. – Sept 26, 2024
Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
Chinese very disappointed with the way DAP has had to suck it up on UMNO overbearing push....
ReplyDeleteJust like MCA