A Simpleton in Politics

Not surprisingly my last column chastising Hindraf had ruffled some feathers among its insiders. My criticism of Hindraf as being ‘morally bankrupt’ prompted the accusation that I’m a “simpleton in politics.”

I will admit to being a simpleton in politics if…

…being a simpleton means not having to sell-out your principles for political expediency. I may be a simpleton in politics, but I understand that I would not do anything to tacitly enable the party (UMNO) that is the source of my oppression. But Hindraf has done just that. I know that the ideology of Ketuanan Melayu is espoused, preached, and advocated by UMNO. It is hell bent on ensuring I remain a second-class citizen. That I cannot accept, and I will not justify supporting any party that is determined to endorse or abet such a racist ideology. But Hindraf has done just that by willing to undermine Pakatan Rakyat (and therefore, while seeming to be “neutral,” has, for all practical purposes, strengthened UMNO).

I will happily admit to being a simpleton in politics…

…but I’m not obsessed with self-serving political ambition as some in Hindraf have clearly exhibited by selling-out to UMNO. I don’t need to go into spelling this out but the split we’ve seen over the last year in Hindraf is evidence of how many within Hindraf are willing enough to be “a component party” to UMNO. What, I wonder, was the price for these people in Hindraf, for such an alliance? Consider this just a simple question from a simpleton in politics.

The folks in Hindraf don’t deny that they were frustrated by PR for not agreeing to their conditions and, therefore, withheld support for Pakatan in Huu Selangor. Oh, I see, perhaps one has to be sophisticated at politics, like some of these Hindraf folks appear to be, to sell out their cause to the highest bidder! Apparently the ‘crumbs’ that PR was offering Hindraf were not the kind of ‘crumbs’ many within Hindraf believe they can ultimately get from UMNO. I may be a simpleton in politics but I at least have enough self-respect not to sell-out to the highest bidder – especially not one that insults my dignity.

 

READ MORE HERE: http://imagineequality.blogspot.com/