An Open Letter to Kapar MP
My dear Kapar MP,
I'm a voter in a Kapar although I live and work in Kedah, but during the March 08 elections, I drove all the way from Alor Star and not only voted for you but convinced many doubting Thomases to vote for you. We spent our own resources to spread your message and the PR platform. You weren't known to us even if you were a Reformasi stalwart and you didn't contest Kapar before.
Despite you being a parachute candidate in a Malay majority seat, you won a thumping victory and obtained a staggering 48, 196 votes beating your opponent, MIC Wanita Chief and Parliamentary Sec. Datin Paduka P Komala Devi by a whopping 12, 297 votes. In 2004, she beat the PKR candidate Ang Hiok Gai by 14, 558 votes. To overcome that huge majority and defeat her wasn't easy but you did. However, for me, it seems you don't understand how you won and what made you win.
Recently you have been the in the news over your "quit threat" to your party listing a litany of complaints and throwing tantrums giving MCA leaflet The Star an ample opportunity to run down your party, the leadership of your party, PAS Selangor leadership and some Selangor DAP leaders as well. Of course, Malaysia Castrated Association (MCA) is grappling with a leadership crisis where the new elected leader and Transport Minister (Dictator) Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat is fighting his Deputy Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek. The party is also facing an extinction having lost its allure and its rallying call of "Chinese representation" is no longer viable. PAS (let alone DAP) is offering the Chinese much more than a Chinese party like MCA is even ready to give to the Chinese. Therefore, any opportunity that will deflect attention from the party and (its violent husband) UMNO will be 'highly appreciated'. But now that your discourse has taken tribal/racist line of Indian this, Indian that, I need to tell you few things as a Malay voter and anyway, Kapar is a Malay majority seat.
During your press conference, you alleged that PKR remains Malay-centric and campaigned for the Malay agenda, pointing out that Indians had not been offered positions in GLCs, state agencies and senior positions in local councils. (That's what Baradan Kuppusamy wrote-though I always ignore what he writes and I'm sure majority of the people do): "Even in Kampung Sentosa where 95 per cent of residents are Indians, Khalid appointed a Malay as the ketua kampung," you said. While you blame Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim for appointing a Malay village headman in a village populated by Indians calling it "marginalization", one wonders what would it be you being an MP for Kapar which has 88% non-Indian voters? Khalid and Azmin Ali are responsible for you being fielded there. Can we (the Malays of Kapar) blame them also for "marginalizing us"? Kapar has 50% Malay voters, 37% Chinese voters and 12% Indian voters. Yes, Indians only form 12% of Kapar voters but you got close to 50,000 votes to represent it while Indian votes is only 14,000, whom should we blame for that "marginalization"? I'm sorry to say this but this is what you are saying!
Malaysiakini journalist K Kabilan quoted you in his article: "Moves underway to oust Samy Vellu" as saying: "On Dec 31, I will give up my party posts. After that, I will be heading to India. There I will meet Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy and seek his advice on what I should do. Once I am back, I will reveal my decision whether to remain in the party." Then you expressed your "bitter disappointment with PKR for failing to keep the party's pledges to uplift the Indian community." Kabilan wrote that you were in discussions with Hindraf leaders, including Waythamoorthy, as they are "the real community leaders".
So you want to go to India, meet Hindraf leaders on "your future" since they "represent the Indian community"? Fine! But what about the Malay and Chinese people? We gave you a future by voting for you, we supported you, we campaigned for you, we convinced our old people, parents and Umnotitis suffering people to ditch the party and MIC (a branch of UMNO-MCA and MIC are basically tentacles of UMNO and not Malaysian parties), we explained Hindraf to our people, we countered UMNO's dirty propaganda against Hindraf and explained it to our rural people. We spent our own resources to rally our people to vote for you and many other PR candidates. I remember you requesting 50% of Kapar Malay voters to "beat Komala." We gave it to you. Indians have 14,000 voters in Kapar while Malays have over 55,000 voters and you were given a whopping 48,000 plus voters. So when will you meet us to talk about your future? Or since we are not Indians, you don't care about us?
I want to remind you that you weren't elected by Indians but primarily by Malays followed by the Chinese of Kapar, and I want to make it clear to you that aren't an MP because of Hindraf or Indians but because of Malay and Chinese votes. Even if Hindraf was so popular, Indians form 12% of Kapar voters, what about the remaining 88% non-Indian voters? Moreover, do you know that for Hindraf itself to become popular and acceptable, it needed Malay support? From the famed Raja Petra to Haris Ibrahim and Co. to PAS and PKR (Malays), Hindraf was 'humanized' to the Malay people by us. If we supported UMNO's aggressive stand against Hindraf and digested its stinking propaganda against the NGO, things would have been different today (and that's exactly what UMNO wanted).
It is well known that Hindraf was demonized by the UMNO media in the run up to the March 08 elections. Even UMNO prepared thousands of CDS for villagers accusing PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim of being Hindraf sympathizer and financier. This was done to scare the Malays and sway them from voting for the Malay and Indian candidates on the PR platform. It was PAS and PKR Malays who countered this by 'explaining' Hindraf to the Malays.
UMNO told the Malays that Hindraf was a terrorist organization financed by foreigners and made up of hardcore Indian criminals to foment violence and challenge the Malay people. It was PAS and PKR Malays who have explained to the rural voters what Hindraf was. We explained that Hindraf was simply an Indian NGO to air the grievances of the Malaysian Indian Community and it wasn't a sinister organization hell-bent on destroying the Malay people as UMNO was preaching. We convinced the old people that Hindraf was fighting to end poverty which was itself Islamic. When Hindraf protested against UMNO Ministers during the Hari Raya Open House and the police threatened them, PAS President Datuk Seri Ustaz Hadi Awang came to their rescue by saying Hindraf had every right to protest as even people protest in front of The White House. It is a stand like this that was 'humanizing' Hindraf and making it acceptable to the Malays.
We told our people that UMNO had neglected the Indians and non-Muslims in the country believe Islam is an unjust religion (which it is not) because of UMNO and therefore they should vote for the Malay and Indian PR candidates. Something was achieved and superb results obtained. You YB Manickavasagam (among others) is a result of that behind the scenes campaign and that's why you got the Malay (and Chinese) vote in Kapar. Unfortunately, today you talk as if you don't need us, as if we didn't invest in you, as if we didn't campaign for you, as if we didn't support you, as if we didn't vote for and as if we have no expectations from you.
Ironically you are behaving as if Indians alone elected you. You say you will go to India to consult Indian and Hindraf leaders. You forgot that you are an MP in a Malay majority seat, that you represent PKR which is a multiracial party, that you were fielded by Malay leaders in Kapar, that Malay leaders led by Anwar himself tirelessly campaigned for you, that we PAS and PKR Malays 'sold' you to our people, that we left our air-conditioned offices in far away places to drag our people to switch sides and stand by you in your hour of need, that we spent time and resources to sell PR contestants though most of them were parachute candidates, that we countered UMNO's dirty propaganda against PR candidates and Hindraf.
Rather than recognizing those facts and building a better Kapar, a better Selangor and a better Malaysia, we see you throwing tantrums, running down party leaders in Malaysia Castrated Association (MCA) leaflets and UMNO media. We see you talking about Indian village headmen and not Malay poverty, Malay neglect, Malay congestion, Malay education standard, Chinese poverty, Chinese business, Chinese villages. Is this your reward to us? Do you need to accuse others of marginalizing Indians while you are 'marginalizing' us? Despite that, we are not throwing tantrums, issuing ultimatums and carrying placards. You remember PAS President saying all constituencies with Malay majority must be represented by Malays? Basically he was talking about something like this and his call may receive some support in the future.
Granted, you have some problems, granted, you are facing some difficulties, granted, you have few funds to sustain you programmes, but to accuse PKR of neglecting Indians (as if has rewarded Malays and Chinese at the expense of Indians) and blaming Khalid for the sole reason that he had accidentally appointed a Malay to head an 'Indian village' and say that you only need Hindraf and Indian consultation is not only unacceptable but utter humiliation. We feel offended by that and feel betrayed by you. What's more? You say if you were to quit PKR, you will stay as an independent MP. Sir, like YB Karpal Singh told you few days ago, you are an MP simply because of PKR. If you don't want the party, quit the seat. And I as a voter who led a spirited behind the scenes fight for you and all the PR DUN candidates in Kapar is telling you this in bold letters: You will have to quit the seat and not PKR. Enough with your humiliation and betrayal! It is the likes of you who give the Indian community a bad image (ironically in the name for fighting for it).
Few days ago I met a prominent Umnoputra, a son of a former Minister in Mahathir's regime. He is my distant cousin and we love each other but politically we are 'enemies'. I will never accept UMNO just like he won't accept PAS and PKR (because he is benefiting from Umno's largesse meant of his ilk while I sweat to feed my children). As we chatted, he said: "You see, when we tell you Indians are snakes and snakes can be controlled either by hitting their heads or forcing them to retreat to their holes, you [PR Malays] complain". I was offended by that and answered that it was immoral and no one likes sweeping condemnation of an entire society. He laughed deliriously and said that I was naive. Basically he was referring to the childish tantrums of YB Manickavasagam who says he will only seek Indian consultation and something of the sort. While in my anger, I wanted to agree with him, I felt it was immoral to lampoon an entire society because of the nefarious ways of few people. Though I hate the Umnoputras for destroying Islam's image, using Malay name to rob the Malay people and pit Malaysians against one another, I must say for once, I agreed with him. No wonder there is the saying: 'A mad man may say the truth once' (An Umnoputra may say the truth once).
You were quoted as saying that there is "discrimination" against Indians in PR led states. Please share with us the information. There is a better representation for Indians in PR states. Their status is higher than it was under Umno/MIC. Indian activist and NGO head, lawyer K. Arumugam has revealed that they (Indians) have met Selangor MB 17 times since March 08 while they were denied a single meeting by Khir Toyo in the past. Ironically Khir Toyo runs down Khalid in BerUMNO…oops, Bernama over Indians. How painful and ironic it is! "Before we tried and never met the former Mentri Besar but since the Pakatan came to power we have met the new Mentri Besar 17 times since March 8. They even asked for our input during pre-Budget discussions and later we saw our views were incorporated into the Budget and funds were allocated," he was quoted saying that in The Star. Is that discrimination?
And anyway, you represent Malays, Chinese and Indians, so why not raise their issues simultaneously? When will you be quoted fighting for Malay fishermen? When will you be quoted fighting for 'our rights' since you are an MP because of our votes? Tan Sri Khalid has for the 1st time allocated funds running into millions to Chinese and Tamil schools, has paid the price of the pig farming, has called for Chinese and Indian intake into UITM universities and bore the brunt of that call, has appointed a Chinese to head PKNS and we know what happened, has increased non-Malay representation in local councils and we know what happened, has constituted a non-Muslim Exco Committee to solve pertinent issues related to non-Muslims and has done a tremendous work. In all that, UMNO was hitting hard at him, undermining him by constituting different village headmen and spreading lies about him saying he was betraying Malays.
Rather than you being a helping hand (despite some glaring mistakes), we see you going round with some unknown elements and badmouthing PKR and PR leaders. We see you threatening people and saying you will seek Indian consultation as if Indians elected you, as if your party is an Indian party, we see you blaming YB Sivarasa Rasiah and other PKR Indian leaders. Sivarasa is a Malaysian leader and not an Indian leader. And since you have no feelings for us Malay voters in Kapar, we won't allow you to be our MP. Quit the seat if you want to quit the party. Both PAS and DAP presidents told you that! Indian marginalization was a 50 year project by UMNO and its Indian branch, MIC, so how do you expect Indian issues to be solved in 8 months when even PR doesn't control the Federal Govt and can't rescind some policies? Why do you want to alienate the Indian community? I hope you follow the following advises:
1. Stop talking about Indian this, Indian that because you are an MP due to the non-Indians in Kapar who form 88% of your voters. Yes, Indians too contributed but don't get carried away in the hope of you becoming an Indian hero. Neither you nor the Indians will benefit from antagonizing others. Be truthful to your party multiculturalism and fight injustice on all fronts.
2. Be a national leader who represents a national constituency and start fighting for all races. Remember, you are the Kapar MP while PAS and DAP represent two of its DUNs. That's the PR spirit and mutuality and also Malaysia's multiculturalism.
3. Stop saying you will consult Indian/Hindraf leaders when you consulted us Kapar voters and we gave you a future: being the PKR MP for Kapar for the next 5 years and we invested in you. If you don't want that trust, please quit the seat immediately. Quitting the party is of no value to us: it is the seat because we elected because of your party. You were unknown to us and to Kapar-ians.
4. Give some respect to Malay PR leaders because you undermining them will put them in a difficult position vis-a-vis the fight against Umno. I hope you understand what I'm talking about. I don't need to explain too much on this particular issue. Furthermore, it is they who campaigned for you in a Malay majority seat and not Hindraf.
5. Stop airing your views in MCA and UMNO media because they have no mercy for you and your community. All they want is to humiliate your leaders, divide PR parties and cause chaos in PR. They aren't interested in your welfare or the Indian community. If they did, your people won't be suffering after 50 years of BN (mis)rule.
6. Stop going around with jobless elements who have no dignity and societal standing but who pressurize you into throwing tantrums, issuing ultimatums and alienating the Indian community in the process. For God's sake, you are the MP for Kapar with 112,000 voters, A Supreme Council Member of your party and a (Former) Deputy Liason.
7. Stop blaming the Indian PR and PKR leaders because by "becoming Indian" and retreating into tribal/race cocoons, even we the Malays of PR will feel offended and that won't help the community as it needs understanding and empathy so that the community's problems are solved without raising eyebrows and antagonizing others. We don't want a PR MP or DUN trying to become a hero by appealing to the dregs of his/her community. We want you to build a new Malaysia and your party is the one that initiated Ketuanan Rakyat (and not Ketuanan Looters {KL} ala Umno). Stay truthful to that rallying call.
8. When you want to issue a press statement or talk to a BN media outlet, know what you want to say and be on guard. Remember, they will twist what you say and drive a wedge between you and PR leaders and supporters. If you fear being misquoted or fabrication (as has happened), simply issue an statement and don't talk or take interview from a BN media outlet. They are dirty spin masers and hatchet men/women who have no sense of dignity at all. They are paid to spin, so what do you expect from them? Honesty? My foot!
9. Be patient and be informed that we Kapar voters know your handicaps and will give you support as you work for us. We know the limits of your input and funds and we will explain to the old folk so that they too understand your predicament. Once elections are called, we will return you to Parliament so that you continue working for Kapar and Malaysia.
10. Avoid hero talk and fist raising because that is the start of anyone's decline particularly in the Malaysia of today. Don't get entangled in race/tribal talk and euphoria. Represent all people, talk about all people and know it has taken 50 years for the Indians and others to be where they are today. It needs at least 10 years to help the community and constitute national policies that help all the disadvantaged Malaysians and for that, PR needs to capture the Federal govt and we hope by next elections, PR will sweep the board and it is bound to happen. Before that, don't put the Indian community in a difficult position and don't give Indians a bad image.
Thank you and Happy New Year
Rashid A.
Alor Star. (A Kapar voter)
