What's in store for the Indian community?

Indians are not united as a community. Says Denisor jayasooria: "The Indians are divided politically, religiously, culturally, sub-ethnically, socio-economically (class), professionally, as working class and as English-educated, BM-educated, Tamil-educated and foreign trained or local trained."

The solution, he says is in a "strong political leadership". Jayasooria, a principal research fellow at the Institute of Ethnic Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, says there is a need for responsible leadership to build synergies with other communities as the Indians are a minority.

"It is time for the Indians to make a stand within the democratic tradition to exercise our human rights. But the Indians must also find the time to cut a deal, in an open manner, transparent and in the best interests of the Indian community and nation."

Extracts of the interview with Denison, a former Suhakam commissioner:

Who do you hold accountable for the divisions among Indians?

There is a need for holding politicians and political parties accountable.

Why and what is the problem?

Our problem today is we are extremely divided. While we the Indians are in different political parties, we must have some common agenda for community advancement.

Can you imagine - we lack trust and understanding. We can't even meet across the political divide.

At a recent forum on political leadership and Indian community changes, why did you say there was a lack of trust among the community?

I said in the forum that some felt the forum was pro-BN, pro-MIC and pro-Umno. On the other side of the political divide some felt it was pro-opposition and anti-MIC, as though it was an anti-MIC bashing session.

I really hope we can shift away from personal attacks to grapple with the core issues and concerns. One calls the other as pro-Umno, others can call them pro-Chinese as an Indian candidate cannot win a seat just on Indian concerns.

But, other considerations are being a Malaysian, human rights and justice, equal opportunities for all, especially the poor and low-income, irrespective of ethnicity, gender, and geographical location, religious or political affiliations. There is a role and need for civil society and community leaders to set an agenda, beyond party politics, to ensure a good deal is struck for the Indian community.

What do you think are some of the challenges in the wake of recent changes in the MIC leadership?

Still too early to note its impact - change of party leadership, settlement of Maika shares, reorganising of party machinery and its socio-educational institutions.

Unfortunately, MIC decided not to engage in the forum on challenges of the Indian community and this is a real pity. In 2008, the party was punished but lots of good work has been done through the federal government and through the party machinery. However, the boldness to engage in public civil society space is still a foreign culture.

The current party leadership is unelected within the party. This impacts political dynamism, patronage dominates and breeds inefficiency. In contrast, PAS recently held party elections prior to the 13th general election, which ushered in a more moderate Muslim leadership. Among the Indians, there is not enough ground movement at the branch levels, although divisions are active.

In opposition-controlled states MIC leaders do not have the political skills to operate as opposition, for many lack exposure to civil society approaches, having been in government most of the time.

What are some of the positive achievements of Indians in the opposition states following the 2008 general election?

Post-2008 saw the monopoly of the MIC broken. The was an emergence of new Indian leaders in atate governments in Selangor, Penang and Kedah who are well qualified, articulate, hard working and dedicated. Also, there are many new faces in local governments in opposition-controlled states.

Also, new positions like the deputy chief ministers in Penang and deputy speaker in Perak, and major new breakthroughs that gave a tremendous boost to Indian participation in government.

Many opposition MPs and assemblypersons have made admirable stands on fundamental liberties and human rights and championed many community causes.

What are some of the challenges Indians face in these opposition states?

The emergence of inter-personal conflicts among Indians in opposition parties, within individual parties and across the board in the opposition front. There is no proper national agenda for Indians alongside the other minority communities

Services provided at the state and local government levels seem similar to earlier governments.

Opposition leaders are too fixed on political battles - anti-MIC and anti-Umno talk, rather than ensuring that services in the state governments and local authorities they control are provided effectively.

These included employment opportunities in state governments, local authorities and state-owned institutions; small business licences and premises; allocation of land for schools, places of worship, agricultural development and access to state-controlled services.

What do you see as some the challenges at the federal government level?

The rise of the right wing Malay groups, slow settlement of issues such as the Shah Alam cow head issue, history textbooks, JPA scholarships, entry into universities, access into e-Kasih and Azam poverty eradication programmes.

While the taskforce has undertaken key programmes such as MyDaftar, the policy and monitoring aspects need greater impact. For example, the civil service recruitment and promotions, including in GLCs and public institutions.

Educational improvements and greater access to skills training and higher education are also needed. Unresolved issues pertaining to the remove class system and issue of matriculation-STPM into a single exam for entry into public universities.

There is also a need for access to micro-business loans, business training and equity participation and access to poverty reduction programmes. Furthermore, issues pertaining to preventive detentions, Emergency Ordinance and criminal justice system, the root causes of crime and crime prevention measures, need to be addressed.

How do you see as the demography and voting strength of Indian Malaysians?

Indians make up eight percent of the Malaysian population, and it is a significant majority. Demographically, there is a concentration of Indians, between 10 and 20 percent of the population, in 24 districts in seven states and in Kuala Lumpur.

For example, Kulim has 19.43 percent Indians, Port Dickson - 20.47 percent, Seremban - 18.05 percent, Perai Selatan - 20.94 percent, Hilir Perak - 18.2 percent, Klang - 18.4 percent, Kuala Selangor - 17.08 percent and Hulu Selangor - 18.97 percent.

This demographic trend impacts not only access to resources but also politically, as Indian voters make up more than 10 percent in 54 parliamentary constituencies, which constitute 32.7 percent of the seats.

For example in Padang Serai - 22.8 percent, Batun Kawan - 22.8 percent, Sungei Siput - 22.6 percent, Ipoh Barat - 22 percent, Bagan Datoh - 23.3 percent, Kuala Selangor - 23.3 percent, Kota Raja - 28.3 percent, Rasa - 20.4 percent and Teluk Kemang - 22.2 percent.

At the state level, Indian voters make up 10 percent and more in 125 of 28 percent of the state seats. Some examples Buntong - 46.2 percent, Perai - 35.8 percent, Hutan Merlintang - 32.1 percent, Ijok - 31.6 percent, Bukit Melawati (Selangor) - 30.9 percent, Kota Raja - 33 percent, Jempol - 38.6 percent and Teluk Kemang - 29.1 percent.

What are the political implications of this data?

Indian voters are significant politically, but must convert this to their political advantage. All young Indians reaching 21 years of age must register themselves as voters and actively exercise their citizenship rights.

What is role of the Indians in the coming general election?

There is a need for the Indian community to set some basic standards and requirements for potential candidates from their community to secure the community's votes. About 10 to 30 percent of registered voters is a sizable majority, with a tremendous political significance.

M KRISHNAMOORTHY was a full time journalist for the past 25 years (The Star, 15 years and NST, 11 years). He is currently freelancing as a coordinator/fixer for CNN, BBC, German, Australian TV networks, TIME magazine and newspapers in Malaysia.