Stressing Indian vote power, NGOs press Rafizi for Bersama's long-term commitment
Published: Aug 21, 2026 1:05 PM
Updated: 3:36 PM
Calling themselves “Gelombang Saksama” (Equality Wave), a coalition of 19 Indian NGOs met Bersama co-leaders Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad to stress the need for the party to make the Indian community’s interests an integral part of its political agenda.
DAP’s former MP Charles Santiago, who attended yesterday’s meeting, described it as the coalition’s first engagement with Bersama to discuss the Indian community’s future and its place in Malaysia’s political and economic landscape.
“The meeting stressed that at 6.5 percent of Malaysia’s population, Indians remain an important constituency, but their political leverage cannot be taken for granted.
“Declining population growth, persistent poverty, discrimination, school dropouts, and widening socio-economic disparities have reached alarming levels requiring an urgent need for a long-term, institutional response,” said the former Klang lawmaker.
Charles said the NGOs, representing various sectors, urged Bersama to ensure the Indian agenda is not reduced to a short-term electoral commitment but becomes part of a sustained programme for socio-economic transformation, equity, and wealth creation.
One key proposal, he said, was the establishment of a dedicated statutory body for the Indian community, with the independence, mandate, and resources to coordinate and drive long-term socio-economic development.
Former Klang MP Charles Santiago
“Such an institution should bring together government agencies, civil society, businesses, and community organisations rather than operate through fragmented programmes,” he explained.
Dedicated funding
The meeting also proposed a dedicated funding vehicle to mobilise government resources alongside contributions and investments from Indian individuals, businesses, and corporations.
Charles said the aim was to create a sustainable funding ecosystem to support economic opportunities, education, entrepreneurship, and community development.
The NGOs also called for the reinstatement of the Cabinet Committee on Indian Affairs to provide high-level political oversight and coordinate action across ministries and government agencies.
“The NGO representatives welcomed the opportunity to begin a conversation with Bersama.
“They urged the party to take up these proposals as part of its national agenda and to work with the Indian community towards a future in which the 6.5 percent are economically strong, politically empowered, and equal participants in Malaysia’s future,” he added.
“Such an institution should bring together government agencies, civil society, businesses, and community organisations rather than operate through fragmented programmes,” he explained.
Dedicated funding
The meeting also proposed a dedicated funding vehicle to mobilise government resources alongside contributions and investments from Indian individuals, businesses, and corporations.
Charles said the aim was to create a sustainable funding ecosystem to support economic opportunities, education, entrepreneurship, and community development.
The NGOs also called for the reinstatement of the Cabinet Committee on Indian Affairs to provide high-level political oversight and coordinate action across ministries and government agencies.
“The NGO representatives welcomed the opportunity to begin a conversation with Bersama.
“They urged the party to take up these proposals as part of its national agenda and to work with the Indian community towards a future in which the 6.5 percent are economically strong, politically empowered, and equal participants in Malaysia’s future,” he added.
‘What exactly was the minister doing?’
Charles previously warned Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Harapan, of which DAP is part, that the “window is closing” and the Indian Malaysian community “will remember who acted when there was still time and who only woke up when votes were at stake”.
The caution came after Anwar appealed to Indian voters to forgive his mistake of referring to houses of worship built on disputed land as “illegal” during a meet-and-greet session in Seremban ahead of last month’s Negeri Sembilan state election.
The prime minister also announced that he would personally oversee matters concerning the community.
While Human Resources Minister R Ramanan would assist in implementing initiatives, Anwar said he would now take direct responsibility for the portfolio.
In response, Charles called on Anwar to immediately establish a Cabinet Committee on Indian Affairs and replace Ramanan in the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (Mitra).
PM Anwar Ibrahim and Human Resources Minister R Ramanan
“If he (Anwar) has to take over, what exactly was the minister doing? Or is this just another political gimmick, complete with dancing to an evergreen MGR song yet again?” he asked, referring to the prime minister’s decades-old routine of gyrating to the tunes of the late Tamil Nadu actor-turned-politician MG Ramachandran when canvassing for Indian votes.
Rayer points out improvements
Defending Anwar, Charles’ DAP colleague and Jelutong MP RSN Rayer said the prime minister’s actions showed that he recognised and appreciated the Indian Malaysian community’s overwhelming support for his “reformasi” movement.
Rayer said the Madani administration had continued to improve the community’s welfare, education, and economic interests, including by increasing Mitra allocations from RM100 million to RM150 million.
He also cited RM76 million in financial grants to Aimst University over the past three years and RM20 million to Tafe College.
Apart from these financial grants, Rayer added that Anwar had allocated RM200 million for the maintenance of non-Muslim places of worship.
He said Indian students who excelled in the SPM examination had also gained greater opportunities for matriculation and entry into local universities under Anwar’s government.
Rayer points out improvements
Defending Anwar, Charles’ DAP colleague and Jelutong MP RSN Rayer said the prime minister’s actions showed that he recognised and appreciated the Indian Malaysian community’s overwhelming support for his “reformasi” movement.
Rayer said the Madani administration had continued to improve the community’s welfare, education, and economic interests, including by increasing Mitra allocations from RM100 million to RM150 million.
He also cited RM76 million in financial grants to Aimst University over the past three years and RM20 million to Tafe College.
Apart from these financial grants, Rayer added that Anwar had allocated RM200 million for the maintenance of non-Muslim places of worship.
He said Indian students who excelled in the SPM examination had also gained greater opportunities for matriculation and entry into local universities under Anwar’s government.
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