INDIANS in this country need a brave and honest Prime Minister (PM) who fully understands the plight of the community.
Will there now be light at the end of the tunnel for Indian Malaysians with the unity government seriously doing something to alleviate the problems that saddle the community?
Speaking to thousands of Indians at the recent Educational Development and Future of Indians programme organised by the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA) recently—his first since assuming the premiership—PM Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim gave assurance that no segment will be “left out” under his government’s development programmes.
Unfortunately, employment-wise, Indians today are under-represented in the civil service and the private sector. Though Indians might be relatively declining in population terms, they are still a sizeable community—the third largest in Peninsular Malaysia after the Malays and Chinese.
Indians want quality education for their children, fair economic opportunities, equitable and inclusive developments and a proper settlement to their citizenship woes, among others. One cannot deny that Malaysian Indians have played a vital role in building the country.
At present, about 60 states and parliamentary constituencies have sizeable Indian voters who might make a difference to candidates either in terms of winning or losing.
This is despite Malaysian Indians making up only an estimated 6.6% of the country’s total population of 32.7 million in 2022 or the third largest ethnic group behind the Chinese (22.8%) and Bumiputera (69.9%).
Indian leaders in the country must be united if they want to resolve issues faced by the community in the country, according to Anwar, who further urged the leaders to unite under one umbrella for a stronger front.
MIC which is touted to be the largest Indian-based political party in the country has lauded Anwar’s call for the community to put up a unified front in tackling and confronting it.
Party deputy president and former human resources minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan said the reminder by Anwar was timely on condition that all Indian-based organisations, political or otherwise put aside their differences to work in a unified manner in tackling the various woes faced by the community.
Saravanan further called on the Indian community to move forward while reminding them to strengthen their community bond.
Given that the Indians have lost further ground with their equity having shrunk tremendously from 1.5% previously, there is now a need for the community to work hard to realise grand plans.
For now, Malaysians Indians are hoping that PMX Anwar and the new Madani Government are able to escalate Indian equity ownership in the country.
Given that Malaysia is more than six decades old, every Malaysian regardless of ethnicity, religious belief or region should not be left to feel that the government of the day is turning a blind eye to their plight in any way.
Anwar’s long years of service both in government and as opposition leader (including some jail time) have moulded him into the seasoned politician he is today, suitably experienced to take on the job of PM.
Malaysia led by Anwar must be known as a Madani nation that is prosperous, fair and rejects any form of cruelty towards any individual or race. It must be a nation known for its renewed spirit. – June 15, 2023
M. Vivekananthan has served the government of Malaysia at various ministries and agencies for 30 years.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
All photos credited to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s Facebook.
