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Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy says indifference is due to Indian youths believing that they are not represented either in BN or in Pakatan Harapan.
“They have no representative in politics. The Indian representative in Barisan Nasional (BN) is MIC and they know MIC is useless.
“Meanwhile, the opposition bloc is made up of parties which cater to the guidelines of being a multiracial party,” Waythamoorthy told FMT. [...]
Waythamoorthy, who was a deputy minister in the prime minister’s department from May 2013 to February 2014, said the situation had been different immediately after the Hindraf rally in 2007 where Indians had come by the droves to support the opposition, including PAS.
“Now, the youths feel that while there are Indian leaders in the opposition bloc, there is no true Indian representation.”
So when Waythamoorthy was a minister in BN, WTF did he do for Indians?
Hasn't it been his fault that Indian Youths feel marginalised?
The sad problem for Indian Malaysians has been and still is poor Indian leadership in government, including when Waythamoorthy was in BN.
Waytha also said: ... in DAP, although the majority of its membership is Chinese, it is again a multiracial party and so, most of the Indian leaders have to follow the party guidelines to portray that multiracial setup.
So Waytha, what's wrong with multi-racialism in DAP? Or is it your preference for Indians to be under a racist party ..... sorry I mean ..... religious-based party like Hindraf?
FYI, the DAP has 21 Indian representatives. I know it's embarrassing to MIC that we have far more Indian representatives than the so-called Indian Party.
DAP Members of Federal Parliament (MP)
Penang
1. Kasthuriraani Patto - Batu Kawan
2. Ramkarpal Singh - Bukit Gelugor
Perak
3. M. Kulasegaran V. Murugeso - Ipoh Barat
4. Sivakumar Varatharaju Naidu - Batu Gajah
Selangor
5. Gobind Singh Deo - Puchong
6. Charles Anthony Santiago - Klang
Senate (not appointed by PM, but by DAP through states won)
7. Chandra Mohan S. T.
State Assemblies
Negeri Sembilan
8. Arul Kumar a/l Jambunathan - Nilai
9. Mary Josephine Prittam Singh - Rahang
10. Gunasekaren a/l Palanisamy - SEnawang
11. Veerapan a/l Superamaniam - Repah
Pahang
12. Kamache Doray Rajoo - Sabai
Penang
13. Tanasekharan a/l Autherapady - Bagan Dalam
14. Ramasamy a/l Palanisamy (1st ever Indian deputy Chief Minister in Malaysia) - Perai
15. Jagdeep Singh Deo a/l Karpal Singh - Datok Keramat
16. Sanisvara Nethaji Rayer a/l Rajaji - Seri Delima
Perak
17. Sivasubramaniam a/l AthiNarayanan - Buntong
18. Terence Naidu a/l V Raja @ Raja Naidu - Pasir Bedamar
19. Sivanesan a/l Achalingam - Sungkai
Selangor
20. Rajiv a/l Rishyakaran - Bukit Gasing
21. Ganabatirau a/l Veraman - Kota Alam Shah
16. Sanisvara Nethaji Rayer a/l Rajaji - Seri Delima
Perak
17. Sivasubramaniam a/l AthiNarayanan - Buntong
18. Terence Naidu a/l V Raja @ Raja Naidu - Pasir Bedamar
19. Sivanesan a/l Achalingam - Sungkai
Selangor
20. Rajiv a/l Rishyakaran - Bukit Gasing
21. Ganabatirau a/l Veraman - Kota Alam Shah
What now? Still dreaming of making your religion-based Hindraf a la Islamic-PAS into a replacement for MIC (or in your wildest dream, the DAP)?
I can sympathise with Waythamoorthy's frustrations with the neglect of Indians by political parties in Malaysia, but his proposal would not work.
ReplyDeleteThe fundamental demographic problem the Indian community faces is that while there are 2 million Malaysian Indians, they are spread thinly throughout the country, and electorally not crucial in almost all constituencies.
He's tried BN, even a stint as a Deputy Minister in Najib's cabinet, but nothing works.
DAP's panel of Indian representatives is numerically impressive but with very little to show as far as the Indian community is concerned.
Most are representing heavily Chinese constituencies , in a heavily Chinese party. They play the role of DAP mandores to the Indian community.
DAP Penang's Ramasamy is busy empire building, including ensuring domination of the Penang Hindu Endowment Board.
Ramasamy has done excellent job for Indians, particularly in Penang, including consolidating the Penang Hindu Endowment Board and Hindu affairs. Penangites (especially Chinese) have always a fondness for Indian political leaders starting way back with Mayor Ramanathan of Labour Party, Patto, Verraphan etc in the 50s and 60s
Deleterace-based & religion-based political parties dah jadi dinosaur. unfortunately there are still dinosaur-followers.
ReplyDeleteIt would be great if you are right but just look around the world and you can see the rise of many race-inclined parties in Europe, especially of the far right which have gained in votes from fringe to respectably mainstream, even if they did not win.
DeleteBesides far right parties, there has also been a rise in race-based, religion-based and nationalist-based sentiment amongst the population.
Malaysia is no different. I may not like it but unfortunately, it is a reality of politics today, especially with rising unemployment, cost of living and a world economy which has been stuck in a rut for so long.
These multi-racial parties in Malaysia must do more for the Indian community, including some forms of affirmative action, if they are to win the community's confidence and support.
MIC continues to be useless, and DAP little better, but I have to grudgingly admit Najib has made a difference with the Indian community.
ReplyDeleteTamil Schools, perennially short of funding from before and ever since Merdeka have received more money than ever before. Quite a number of ramshackle shanty-type Tamil Schools which were falling to pieces with no money to repair, have now been rebuilt with modern facilities. They even have Computer Labs, previously unheard of.
There is a heavy price to pay.
One Indian community leader who is not a BN supporter, told me dealing with Najib its like doing business with Lucifer.
You do get a lot of what you ask for, but the price is your integrity and your soul.
Waytha tried a similar arrangement with Najib, and eventually found the moral price too heavy to bear.
I bet he sleeps better now than when he was a Deputy Minister.
Multi racial party is the way forward for the indians....the Singapore PAP is a fine example...!!!
ReplyDeleteWaythamoorthy wants to join the opposition pact,and now he wants to have a Hindu party within a party he never had had before.He thinks that because the opposition needs the Indian votes and whatever votes there is out there,he wants to be treated like an VIP Kingmaker.
ReplyDeleteBefore the GE13,I had said to beware of this Thamby.He slept with Umno and got played like a boytoy just like Donald Trump played Giuliani and Christie,and kicked them under the bus.
Now I understand why Kaytee had the picture of the doghouse up here.It is meant to be the permanent residence for the big snake named Waythamoorthy.