The move to demonise Bersih chairman Ambiga Sreenevasan in the mainstream media, especially in the Malay language media and television, is beginning to have an negative effect on Indian voters, going by comments that two MIC leaders have made this week.
MIC central committee member S Vell Paari and MIC vice-president M Saravanan have expressed disappointment with the continued harassment of Ambiga and other members of the Bersih steering committee.
Recently Kuala Lumpur City Hall sent a RM350,000 tab to Ambiga and steering committee member Maria Chin Abdullah for losses it suffered on April 28, the day of the Bersih rally for a clean and fair elections.
Earlier the government had sent a bill demanding RM122,000 for damage to police vehicles, among other losses.
Vell Paari (right), whose name has been mentioned as an MIC candidate for Sungei Siput, feels the issue transcends political and racial boundaries.
He has said that sending the bills and demonstrating earlier outside her house constitute demonising and harassment.
He has called on the people to send messages to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in the form of letters, postcards and telegrams, on what they feel about such treatment.
Saravanan on the other hand, said that Ambiga is an ordinary person but made into an extraordinary person by unwise government action.
MIC central committee member S Vell Paari and MIC vice-president M Saravanan have expressed disappointment with the continued harassment of Ambiga and other members of the Bersih steering committee.
Recently Kuala Lumpur City Hall sent a RM350,000 tab to Ambiga and steering committee member Maria Chin Abdullah for losses it suffered on April 28, the day of the Bersih rally for a clean and fair elections.
Earlier the government had sent a bill demanding RM122,000 for damage to police vehicles, among other losses.Vell Paari (right), whose name has been mentioned as an MIC candidate for Sungei Siput, feels the issue transcends political and racial boundaries.
He has said that sending the bills and demonstrating earlier outside her house constitute demonising and harassment.
He has called on the people to send messages to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in the form of letters, postcards and telegrams, on what they feel about such treatment.
Saravanan on the other hand, said that Ambiga is an ordinary person but made into an extraordinary person by unwise government action.
"It has made her into a popular person and she has gained sympathy from the people.
"Our action made her hero material... in this case a heroine," the Federal Territory and urban wellbeing deputy minister told the Free Malaysia Today website in an interview.
Prominently featured
Ambiga is also featured prominently- she is an almost daily event - in the Tamil vernacular press and her lineage has even been tied to the Sreenevasan brothers of PPP fame in the 60s and 70s.
Everything that has to do with her is front page material in the papers so much so MIC leaders are beginning to feel the heat because wherever they go, questions are asked of them especially on the butt-dance outside her house and now the government bills sent to her.
Prior to that, disgruntled burger sellers set up a stall outside Ambiga's residence to protest the losses suffered due to the rally which was followed by the dubious aerobic exercises of ex-servicemen.
While some in the Tamil vernacular press are open supporters of Ambiga and Pakatan, her popularity is such that there are even articles on her marital status and even on her horoscope.
Although Ambiga has repeatedly said she is not interested in politics and will not be contesting in elections, many Indians out there think she should, and play a role as a MP and a party leader.
It brings memories of other women political leaders like the late prime minister of India, Indira Gandhi, or even Burma's opposition leader Aung San Su Kyi.
Najib (left), who is also BN chairman and who is enjoying a spring in his relations with Indian voters, is risking much in allowing the continued demonising of Ambiga and other Bersih steering committee members.
Perhaps Najib is allowing it because he continues to consolidate Malay voter support by doing so. However he is beginning to lose Indian voter support as a consequence.
The one outweighs the other.
Perhaps he feels the loss of Indian votes is minimal, with many already in the hands of Pakatan, even if it has not been capitalising on Ambiga's new standing among Indians.
Indians find it easy to relate to Ambiga, whether she likes it are not, because she is also an Indian.
She is fast becoming a heroine for Indians and a spokeswoman of sorts in a society that lacks a strong voice, both from BN/MIC or Pakatan.
After the departure of former MIC strongman Samy Vellu there is a lacuna in the Indian community that the current MIC president G Palanivel is unable to fill with a strong voice.
The community is listless and directionless and lacking in strong leadership. In this lacuna Ambiga is a growing presence - although such a the situation is probably not to her liking.
Everything that has to do with her is front page material in the papers so much so MIC leaders are beginning to feel the heat because wherever they go, questions are asked of them especially on the butt-dance outside her house and now the government bills sent to her.
Prior to that, disgruntled burger sellers set up a stall outside Ambiga's residence to protest the losses suffered due to the rally which was followed by the dubious aerobic exercises of ex-servicemen.
While some in the Tamil vernacular press are open supporters of Ambiga and Pakatan, her popularity is such that there are even articles on her marital status and even on her horoscope.
Although Ambiga has repeatedly said she is not interested in politics and will not be contesting in elections, many Indians out there think she should, and play a role as a MP and a party leader.
It brings memories of other women political leaders like the late prime minister of India, Indira Gandhi, or even Burma's opposition leader Aung San Su Kyi.Najib (left), who is also BN chairman and who is enjoying a spring in his relations with Indian voters, is risking much in allowing the continued demonising of Ambiga and other Bersih steering committee members.
Perhaps Najib is allowing it because he continues to consolidate Malay voter support by doing so. However he is beginning to lose Indian voter support as a consequence.
The one outweighs the other.
Perhaps he feels the loss of Indian votes is minimal, with many already in the hands of Pakatan, even if it has not been capitalising on Ambiga's new standing among Indians.
Indians find it easy to relate to Ambiga, whether she likes it are not, because she is also an Indian.
She is fast becoming a heroine for Indians and a spokeswoman of sorts in a society that lacks a strong voice, both from BN/MIC or Pakatan.
After the departure of former MIC strongman Samy Vellu there is a lacuna in the Indian community that the current MIC president G Palanivel is unable to fill with a strong voice.
The community is listless and directionless and lacking in strong leadership. In this lacuna Ambiga is a growing presence - although such a the situation is probably not to her liking.
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