AFTER the pre-launch of the Urimai or the United Rights of the Malaysian Party which was attended by more than 400 people on Nov 26 in Kuala Lumpur, the party is gaining traction among ordinary Indians and others.
We have been getting calls for Urimai meetings to be held in various states. We have scheduled meetings in Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Johor, Melaka and other states.
Meanwhile, we are getting calls from different states from affected Indians and non-Indians to address their problems neglected by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) or the unity/Madani government.
Yesterday (Dec 6), my friends and I had the opportunity to meet up with the affected lot holders of a land held by a federal government government-linked company (GLC) in Kuala Lumpur. The lot holders spoke of the unfair and cavalier manner they have been treated by the GLC or its representatives.
Their requests for help from the elected representatives have not borne any results. Unless there is an intervention, there is a likelihood that the setters or the lot holders might be evicted from their place.
The exorbitant imposition of high rentals is the main cause of this concern as remarked by their representatives yesterday (Dec 6) during the meeting. Members of the Urimai Interim Council have promised to visit their area in Sungei Buloh, Selangor this Saturday (Dec 9) at 4pm.
The media would be invited to provide the coverage. I reiterate once again that Urimai might be an Indian-based party to address a historical and contemporary lacuna but we will take up problems of other races.
Problem solver for all Malaysians
It must be remembered that the problems of the poor and the unfortunate cuts across race and religion. This would explain why Urimai upon its registration will open its membership to all Malaysians.
We might not be a multi-racial party like others but at the same time, we don’t intend to mislead Malaysians like other political parties. In way, the rise of Urimai is related to the ineffective representation by multi-racial political parties.
Detractors will ensure that the party does not take off for various selfish reasons. The often-repeated argument that there are too many Indian political parties in the country fails to confront the question of leadership and effectiveness.
Urimai has this two-related concerns in addressing the plight of poor and unfortunate Indians. If only the detractors can name and shame us of the existence of one Indian political party that has won the hearts and minds of Indians in the country?
Urimai has long and arduous journey to undertake in the turbulent world of Malaysian politics that are anchored in race and religion.
Ultimately, the political future of Urimai is in the hands of ordinary Indians. Without their support, no Indian-based political party can succeed. – Dec 7, 2023
Main pic description: Ramasamy will appear on Astro Awani’s “Consider This” programme next Monday (Dec 11) where he talks about his Urimai movement and its future direction.
Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the Urimai Interim Council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
