WHERE are the DAP and PKR leaders? Much has been said about why Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should not have uttered the derogatory word “Keling” against Indians.
Knowing the word is objectionable and indeed humiliating, Anwar being the “well-liked” PM should have refrained from using the word.
Whether he was referring to the ancient Malay literature “Hikayat Hang Tuah” or not, there was no justifiable reason for Anwar to have used the word and later tender his apology.
Of all the people in the country, Anwar given his declining base of political support, should have known better.
Would he have quoted the British colonial literature that used demeaning words against Malays, the Chinese and Indians?
In other words, were the Indians easy targets for contempt and ridicule?

While Anwar has apologised, there is not a word from the DAP or PKR leaders—champions of multiracialism—on Anwar’s use of the word.
Moreover, I suppose multiracialism loses its significance when it comes to taking up the genuine concerns of Indians or others.
Surely, the DAP and PKR non-Indian and Indian leaders should have come to the defence of Indians. In fact, they could politely tell Anwar that the derogatory word “Keling” is no-go with the Indian community.
But alas, there was not a squeak from the DAP and PKR leaders. They are so afraid to offend Anwar that they chose the option of closing their mouths.
As I have mentioned earlier in my writings, DAP and PKR leaders, both non-Indians and Indians, behave like the proverbial tortoise. They prefer to withdraw their legs and heads from the protective shell to remain unperturbed by the political environment.
When things cool down, their legs and heads will make an appearance.
Furthermore, these leaders are fully aware that this is not the first time that Anwar has disparaged the Indian community. He had done it a few times earlier.
The Tambun MP’s presiding over the conversion of an Indian youth, admonishing an Indian student for raising questions about his entry into the public universities and ignoring the appointment of an Indian Tamil as minister in the recent cabinet reshuffle are insults to the community.
When I requested the Indian deputy ministers to resign in protest, one of them gave an indirect reply saying that he believed in the multiracialism of the Madani government.
Furthermore, Anwar is in many ways a lucky PM for having toothless and spineless non-Malay leaders in the government. With friends like these leaders, Anwar needs no enemies to bring down the government next time around.
As for the Indians, they are terribly disillusioned by the government of Anwar.
In the last state elections, about 30% of Indian voters deserted the government. It would not take long for the vast majority to say goodbye to the Madani government.
Go on, insult Indians further! – Dec 27, 2023
Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the Urimai (United Rights of Malaysian Party) Interim Council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main photo credit: Bernama