INDIANS MUST BE WARY OF NAJIB’S NAMBIKEI

“Nambikei” is a word now frequently used by Prime Minister Datuk Sri najib Tun Razak. Najib first used nambikei at the 65^thMIC General Assembly in August. Literally, nambikei means believe, trust, confidence and hope. After 54 years under Barisan Nasional – UMNO hegemony, Najib wants Indians to continue to place their nambikei in Najib and Barisan Nasional.

Nambikei as the the rallying call of Najib has become important because in the 2008 General Election, Indians for once had the gumption and the cojonnes to abandon Barisan Nasional. For once, Indians braved and cut their umbilical cord with MIC.

With almost 850,000 Indian voters, 70 % of them living and voting in 50 parliamentary constituencies where Indians form as much as 20% of the voters, nambikei takes a greater importance not only for Najib but importantly for the survival of Barisan Nasional.

From the regular stage managed appearances at Indian events, to the cheerful announcement by Najib that he loves thosai and murrukus, granting 1642 citizenship to Indians (wonder how many Indonesians became citizens during the same period these 1642 Indians were waiting for the citizenship), formation of a task force to look into the problems faced by the Indian community ( after 54 years ) does not hide the fact that Najib and Barisan Nasional is desperate to regain the Indian votes. Indians must not be hoodwinked by the sudden benevolences by Najib and Barisan Nasional.

If Najib and Barisan Nasional has “found” Indians, it is all because of general election 2008 and the rise and effect of Pakatan Rakyat. Najib and Barisan Nasional realize that their survival in the next general election depends on Indian voters and their votes, thus the nambikei cry from Najib.

For more than 50 years, Indians had placed their nambikei in Barisan Nasional. Indians became Barisan Nasional’s fixed deposit. Alas, the gains never reflected the deposit. The Indian community gave so much and gained so little, progressed so little but only to be mired in a quagmire.

Indians must never make the mistake of the past but realize that any small measures now by the Barisan Nasional government is the a result of what the community collectively did in 2008. Some Indians may lament that nothing much has changed for the Indians even under Pakatan Rakyat, but Pakatan Rakyat has only been around for 4 years and is a work in progress as compared to 54 years of Barisan Nasional. Still, in the four short years of Pakatan Rakyat, Indians have benefitted much. For a change, with Pakatan Rakyat, it is Barisan Nasional that is desperate in seeking Indians. Thus, this is is not a time to abandon Pakatan Rakyat, for to believe in the nambikei is a return to Barisan Nasional, which may only mean the return to the status quo – Indians being ignored !

Indians, instead must make the nambikei-man to redress and correct the injustices of 54 years by Barisan Nasional against Indians.