PKR man: For Indians, Azmin certainly better than Rafizi

A PKR division leader, K Vasantha Kumar, believes that incumbent party deputy president Azmin Ali is the best choice for the Indian community, compared to his challenger Rafizi Ramli.

He claimed that Rafizi, who is now canvassing for votes to become the party number two among PKR's Indian members, had never championed the cause of the community when he was the Pandan MP.

“Take the example of the Kampung Pandan Indian traditional village. How many times has Rafizi raised this in Parliament? To my knowledge, never,” Vasantha Kumar told Malaysiakini.

“For five years, from 2013 to 2018, Rafizi never voiced or worked towards obtaining land titles for the Indian community in the Kampung Pandan Indian settlement,” he added.

Vasantha Kumar said the Indian settlement in Kampung Pandan is the largest in Malaysia, encompassing both the Setiawangsa and Pandan parliamentary constituencies.

He pointed out that a large part of the settlement that is located in the Setiawangsa parliament constituency has been moved and the residents given land titles.

'Part under Pandan seat not resolved'

“Whereas the part which is under the Pandan seat has not been resolved. Some 500 families still live there without amenities such as roads, water and electricity.

"Various grouses and grievances had been brought to Rafizi’s attention, personally or through temporary committees, but he had never raised these in the media or in Parliament to find a solution. There was never a discussion between the Selangor government and the villagers,” Vasantha Kumar said.

He added that Rafizi had been too preoccupied with national issues and getting publicity through the media - and neglected the local issues during his five years as MP.

But now, Rafizi is making all kinds of promises to Indian PKR members to gain their support for him to become deputy president in the party election.

In that regard, said Vasantha Kumar, who had been an Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee, Azmin is the best choice for Indians.

“It was not only in his capacity as Selangor menteri besar, but even as the Gombak MP, he did the best for Indians, especially in resolving the Batu Caves Indian settlements issue.

“Azmin, as the Gombak MP, had delivered his promise to obtain land titles for the Indian community living in that settlement.

“As many as 77 families got land rights in the village, whereas another 33 families living in the river reserve have been offered plots of land at Batu Arang for relocation. The 50-year issue was solved by Azmin in 2010 as the Gombak MP,” Vasantha Kumar said.

For the record, the Batu Caves Indian Settlement is the only traditional Indian village in the Gombak parliamentary constituency.

“Azmin had also given the best service to Indians in Selangor. Among others, aid under the Poverty Eradication Blueprint, the Tabung Warisan Anak Selangor and marriage incentives.

“During Azmin’s administration, Indians got more than they did under any other menteri besar. In addition, Azmin also approved 120 lots for temples, 19 lots for Tamil schools, 649 lots of agricultural land and 1,450 plots for residential purposes,” he said.

“This is what compels me to give full support for Azmin in the PKR election. Rafizi may scramble to win votes from Indian members, but Indian PKR members must remember the leader who has been scrambling to do good.

“In this context, Azmin is the best choice for deputy president in the 2018 PKR election,” Vasantha Kumar added. - Mkini