THULSI Manogaran first became interested in politics 19 years ago. She was 15 at the time, and her father, DAP leader M. Manogaran, had brought her the latest Time magazine.
On the cover was Condoleezza Rice, the first female African-American secretary of state and the first woman to serve as US national security advisor.
Taking inspiration from the largely impressive feat for a person of colour, Thulsi’s father told his daughter: “If a brown woman can go places in the US, then you can definitely go places in this country.”
Well, Thulsi has certainly gone places since then – from serving in the government as former deputy education minister Teo Nie Ching’s private secretary, to going down to the streets numerous times to peacefully protest and even being thrown in jail last year for taking part in a candlelight vigil!
Thulsi, now 34, eventually followed in her father’s footsteps and joined the DAP, where she has been an active member for more than 10 years, campaigning for her father during his numerous election contests in Teluk Intan (where he won once) and Cameron Highlands (where he lost thrice) and assisting the party however else she could.
And now she is contesting herself: the former lawyer and human rights activist is Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) candidate for the Buntong state seat in Perak, where she is up against four others during the 15th General Elections (GE15) this Saturday (Nov 19).
Thulsi chose to make her electoral debut during this year’s polls as she believes Malaysia, now more than ever, needs young leaders who love and prioritise the people to lead and serve them – and she considers herself worthy of such a noble mission.
In an interview with FocusM, the Selangorite shared why she believes she is the right person to represent the people of Buntong, her chances of winning, what she has in store for the constituency and her message for the next generation.
Given your father’s past election contests in Teluk Intan (2008) and Cameron Highlands (2013, 2018 and 2019), why didn’t you opt to contest in these two seats? And why Buntong?
Perak has become PH’s frontline state. The coalition is the ruling government in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Penang, and we now want to concentrate on taking over Perak.
The DAP felt that they needed to consolidate the Perak line-up and make sure it is well represented. I understand that I have a role to play here and help build the Perak PH fort.
As an outsider who only recently moved to Buntong, what makes you think you are the best person to represent the needs of the constituents there?
I think we need to move away from the idea that only those who were born in a constituency should represent the people living there.
In Buntong, 51% of the constituents are women voters and 49% are Indians. I am an Indian woman, so I am perfectly positioned to understand their needs, despite not being from there. I am also easily approachable.
Besides that, politics is borderless and the struggle for a better life is the same in Buntong or Kuala Lumpur – the problems in Buntong are not specific to Buntong but, rather, are national issues.
You are up against three-time Buntong state assemblyman A. Sivasubramaniam. His majority has only increased every time he won (2008, 66.24%; 2013, 71.79%; 2018, 80.89%). Why do you think you’ll be able to wrest the seat from him?
One of the important values of being a good leader is to be loyal and not betray the people. He has a black history of jumping parties for his own needs (from DAP to Gerakan, Bersatu, Parti Bangsa Malaysia/PBM and then back again to Bersatu).
The people of Buntong are tired and fed up with politicking. They want a leader that will defend their mandate at all costs. And I will do so.
Do you think Buntong is an easy seat for you to contest given that it has the greatest percentage of Indian voters among state constituencies in Malaysia and you are Indian as well?
The race composition doesn’t make any difference; at the end of the day, the people want a leader who understands their needs and will continue to serve them, which is what I am setting out to do.
What do you want to do for Buntong?
I want to ensure Buntong is heard at the Perak State Assembly. I also want to ensure that the people of Buntong get what they deserve.
As such, I aspire to be a realistic, relevant and responsive leader catering to the people’s basic needs like infrastructure, cleanliness and comfort, and looking into the specific needs of each community – for example, upgraded basic amenities.
I also pledge to serve everyone, regardless of their race and political alignment.
Will you maintain your progressive stance on human rights issues if you are elected as a state assemblywoman – even if that means facing possible backlash from the DAP and your critics?
I will. I believe that in order for democracy to thrive, human rights and all rights guaranteed under Articles 5 to 11 of the Federal Constitution must be protected and defended. Accordingly, I will remain consistent and committed to human rights for all.
What is your message to the next generation of young, female, Indian voters and potential future policymakers who may be looking to your candidacy for inspiration?
We need to disregard the old rhetoric of pemuda hari ini, pemimpin masa depan (the youth of today are the leaders of the future); it’s time to adopt the relevant and practical concept that today’s youth are today’s leaders.
I am ready to provide exposure to youth, women and Indian voters on political education and awareness. And my message to them is: get involved and don’t be afraid to take a stand and have an opinion, as well as express these opinions. – Nov 15, 2022
All photos are credited to Thulsi Manogaran’s Facebook page
