RSN Rayer, the DAP Jelutong MP, recently urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to address the growing discontent within Penang’s Indian community.
His plea underscores a broader concern that Indian voters – who make up approximately 12% of the state’s electorate – could significantly impact the outcome of both state and national elections.
Despite the existence of Indian support for Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the Kuala Kubu Bharu (KKB) by-election, this was marred by low voter turnout.
The subsequent Sungai Bakap by-election, however, sent a clearer message: Indian voters not only turned out in lower numbers but also shifted away from PH, a reflection of their dissatisfaction with the administration.
One glaring issue is the unfulfilled RM75 mil housing allocation for estate workers in the KKB state constituency in Selangor. This has fuelled frustration among Indian voters who feel increasingly sidelined by the Madani government.
Rayer’s failure to acknowledge the electoral setbacks of Sungai Bakap suggests an attempt to downplay the depth of Indian disenchantment.
Dim recovery hope
The 2023 state elections further illustrate this shift. Indian support for PH reportedly fell from over 80% in the 2022 general election to around 45% with no signs of recovery.
Meanwhile, Perikatan Nasional (PN) is aggressively courting Indian voters in Penang, sensing an opportunity to either capture the state or deny PH a two-thirds majority.
The Sungai Bakap by-election has already demonstrated that Indian voters are willing to protest against PH if their grievances remain unaddressed.
Rayer’s appeal to Anwar appears less about securing long-term reforms for the Indian community and more about safeguarding his own political future.
His reference to Anwar as a “Gandhi-Mandela” figure ignores PMX’s lack of meaningful engagement with Indian concerns.
Instead, Anwar has prioritised international diplomacy, focusing on issues like Palestine while neglecting pressing local matters.
His occasional performances to Tamil songs before elections may no longer be enough to regain Indian trust.
If PH fails to take decisive action – particularly in allocating resources to uplift the Indian community – the erosion of Indian support will continue.
Rayer and other Indian leaders within PH must acknowledge that symbolic gestures are insufficient. Without substantive policy changes, the community’s drift towards PN could reshape the political landscape of Penang and beyond. – Feb 5, 2025
Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main image credit: RSN Rayer, Jelutong/Facebook