I AM glad that there are few MIC leaders like the party’s deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan who is willing to tell the Madani government off for not implementing its promises.
In the recent MIC general assembly, the three-term Tapah MP pointed out that while the party is still supporting the government of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the party’s support cannot be taken for granted.
He added that the party which is old as UMNO is not only disrespected but taken for ride for some time.
If the unity government continues to ignore the contributions of the party, then MIC has no option but take an alternative course of action.
Although Saravanan did not spell out the alternative course of action, there is sense of frustration and anger among the ranks in the MIC. The MIC might not be a strong party as before but still the party has some level of support in the Indian community.
It should not be forgotten that MIC was the first Indian party that gave representation to the Indian community for four decades after political independence in 1957.
It was precisely the arrogant hegemon UMNO that reduced the effective role of the MIC and MCA. UMNO by bullying and intimidating both MIC and MCA reduced their bargaining power and respect in their communities.
It is the same weakened UMNO in the present government that seeks to sideline both the parties that stood thick and thin with it for decades. Even if UMNO has washed its hands of the MIC and MCA, surely Anwar ought to know better.
Nobody is interested in MIC
He wants Indian support to stay in power yet he is not prepared to recognise and reward the Indian community. PKR has high Indian membership of 40% but Indians are most neglected in the party.
The party even refused to appoint an Indian leader to a ministerial post. If PKR has abandoned the Indians, what chance is there for Anwar to recognise and respect the MIC?
UMNO is not interested in the MIC simply because the party is fighting for its survival. There is no time for the MIC or even the MCA. I don’t think Saravanan thinks that Anwar might have a change of heart.
I think the MIC leaders should not waste their time in procrastinating as to what Anwar will do or not. Since there exists a litany of unfulfilled promises on the part of the Madani government, there is no hope that the MIC might be rewarded with positions.
Taking the cue from the statement issued by Saravanan, it is about time that MIC leadership thinks about the larger interests of the Indian community.
Forget about expecting breadcrumbs from the government. Even these are not easy to obtain. In short, sad to say, the present government has no respect for Indians! By the way, nobody is threatening Anwar! – Nov 20, 2023
Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy was the former DAP state assemblyman for Perai. He was also the former deputy chief minister II of Penang.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
