The Malaysian-Indians Dilemma

What is the population of Malaysian-Indians here in Malaysia? Two million plus? And the population of Malaysia? Twenty five million? That works out to about nine percent, right? So if Malaysia has 222 parliamentarians, there should be at least 20 Malaysian-Indians amongst them, right? Wrong.

Malaysia in fact has only 12 Indians in Parliament. The reason for this is because of their complexity as compared to the other racial groups. They are extensively separated by language, religion and caste. Another viable reason is because of what the political tsunami did to MIC. Many may argue that MIC does not represent the Malaysian-Indians community but the fact remains that it is the only pure Malaysian-Indian political party of note.

 

The Malaysian-Indians have a total of four exclusively Indians parties and another four “mixed” political parties to choose from. MIC, IPF, MIUP and DIMP are all formed as genuine Indian political parties whilst PPP, PKR, DAP and PGRM are the hybrid parties. It is because of this dilution that their voices are drowned in the background noise.

 

State-wise, there are 23 Malaysian-Indians represented within the State Government from all political parties. There are 505 state seats in total (excluding Sarawak). 23 represent a mere 4.5% of the total. Once again, the percentages are out of whack. There should be at least 45 Malaysian-Indians State representatives. The difference is because not all Malaysian-Indians are fielded in every constituency. With only 9% being spread around the country, the results are bound to be at the lower limit. Adding to this is the fact that not all Malaysian-Indians go out to vote. If 70% are registered voters and only 70% actually exercise their vote (assuming that they all vote for Malaysian-Indian candidates), the 4.5% figure is just about correct. That is the clinical view.

 

With MIC in the decline, BN will field less Malaysian-Indians in the next elections. They will use the 2008 results as justification for this reasoning. When this happens, Pakatan Rakyat will probably be the only platform for Malaysian-Indians to stand up to be counted. Look at the 2008 election results. Of the 35 total Malaysian-Indians politicians elected to both the State and Parliament, only 10 are from BN. The other 24 comes from DAP and PKR which represent 68.5% of the total (Arumugam from Bukit Selambau in Kedah is an independent candidate).

 

For the Malaysian-Indians to get their fair share of representation, their leaders need to choose which political party that they feel will serve them best. Additionally, they need to work within this framework of being the minority to pursue their commitments to the people they deem to represent. Working alone will not be effective due to the fact that 9% (of the Malaysian population) isn’t much. Progress is never a one-day effort; they have to work in collusion with the “big brothers” to bring about it. Learn from others as they learn from you and accept the fact that it will take time to bring about the type of democracy that all Malaysians yearn. Only by working together will this change come forth.

 

Accept the truth.

– Hakim Joe