Do you really care MIC, PKR?

Later today, both MIC and PKR will protest separately against the Sepang Municipal Council (MPS) over the demolition of a private home-shrine, but does it really warrant rallies?

COMMENT

PETALING JAYA: Intentionally or otherwise, November 2007 was an “awakening” of sorts for the Indians across the classes in country. Their “realisation” followed through in March 2008 when a tsunami wiped out Barisan Nasional in general and MIC in particular in five states.

Indian votes were pivotal in BN’s loss in four states – Kedah Perak, Selangor and Penang (Perak saw a reverse takeover by BN months later).

Suddenly, Indians became very important to Malaysia’s political class and their vote vital to the survival of a party and coalition.

Opportunistic politicians and parties have been “playing” the Indians at their whim since then.

The most recent of such “play” is the demolition of a privately-owned home shrine belonging to a houseowner, S Gobikumar.

According to media reports, on Nov 20 some 30 officers from Sepang Municipal Council (MPS) trespassed into Gobikumar’s house and demolished an altar his family built for personal prayers. The altar was structurally ready but no prayers had been initiated.

The demolition angered the Indian community.

Days after the demolition, Selangor state executive councillor Dr Xavier Jayakumar rushed to the defence of the MPS officers, claiming that the illegal structure was “just put up and not yet used for worship”.

He also said that Gobikumar had received a notice in July 2012 from MPS ordering the removal of the illegal structure. But FMT learnt that the notice was actually for the removal of rubbish in front of Gobikumar’s house.

Xavier asserted that the demolition was according to the Local Council Act.

But today, Xavier issued another statement claiming “sabotage”.

Sabotage claim

His statement read: “The YDP/ Head of MPS was neither consulted nor informed prior to the action of breaking the structure. The Selangor Non-Muslim Affairs Council co-chaired by exco Ronnie Liu, Teresa Kok and myself was also never informed of these actions, prior to them being taken. The action taken by certain officers was unilateral.

“There is reason to suspect this action is bordering [on] sabotage.”

MPS, on its part, is yet to issue an official statement to his request.

Amidst this political volleyball, both MIC Youth and PKR are planning separate protest and rally against the demolition of Gobikumar’s home shrine later today (Friday).

The question now is, why are both sides rallying and protesting over one man’s private domestic place of worship?

Isn’t this a private issue?

The Indian community has bigger issues at its doorstep that need positive political will and public support.

Let’s look at the common knowledge facts. Fifty-five years later, Indians have been grossly marginalised by the country’s “development” policies.

On the socio-economic scale, it sits alongside the Orang Aslis and natives in Sabah and Sarawak.

The community’s children have been sidelined in scholarships, places in public universities, jobs in the civil service and business opportunities. The community is spoken off in derogatory terms in textbooks and along the socio-political corridors. Its objections are seen as irrational outbursts by the “superior” class.

So what is that MIC and PKR are really protesting about? Aren’t these the issues that should be championed with rallies and protests?

Is giving so much focus to a private shrine likely to give them political leverage in the short term?

The answer then is YES! This is all about gaining the Indian vote. Forget the long-term issues.

Xavier must apologise

MIC Youth will today rally its diehard supporters and hold a “massive” gathering in front of Pakatan Rakyat-administered Selangor state government headquarters.

PKR is planning a similar rally at 3pm at MPS office in Sepang.

MIC Youth wants Xavier to make a public apology to the Indians for the demolition. It also wants MPS to rebuild the structure.

PKR, on its part, will rally to hand over a protest letter (against the demolition) to MPS.

MIC’s aim may be to show Pakatan as a racist party because the MPS councillor in charge of that area is a PAS member.

MIC may rake up the 2007 Padang Jawa incident in which a temple was demolished by the BN state government, which eventually resulted in BN’s loss in Selangor.

At that time, Pakatan had demanded that Menteri Besar Khir Toyo resign, and MIC had said nothing, nor did it demand an apology from “big brother Umno”-led Selangor.

Yesterday, seven top-level Pakatan (DAP and PKR) leaders demanded that current Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim suspend the MPS officers who were involved in the demolition of the private shrine.

In a joint statement, MPs M Manogaran (Teluk Intan), S Manikavasagam (Kapar), R Sivarasa (Subang), and Senator S Ramakrishnan and assemblyman M Ravi (Port Dickson) alongwith PKR vice-president N Surendran and former Hindraf leader S Jayathas warned MPS to be cautious and serious when dealing with religious matters such as temples and shrines.

Now the question remains if these same Pakatan Indian leaders are brave enough to ask Xavier to tender a resignation over the demolition of Gobikumar’s private prayer place.