Indian votes will remain a challenge for BN

The Indian voter has already decided on who to vote for in the 13th GE, says a local political analyst.

KUALA LUMPUR: Irrespective of the outcome on Monday when the Kuala Lumpur High Court delivers its verdict on PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, Pakatan Rakyat can be certain of support from its Indian voters.

According to political analyst A Thiruvengadam, whichever way the court decides will make no difference to the Indian opinion of Anwar.

“The verdict will not make a difference to the Indians’ opinion of Anwar. The Indian community here strongly believe that our judicial system is dominated by politicians and not fully independent.

“Whether he is found guilty or not, the current Pakatan supporter will continue to give Anwar his vote. In fact there may even be a wave of sympathy for him if he ends up in jail,” said Thiruvengadam, a political columnist in the local Tamil daily.

He said Barisan Nasional vis-a-vis MIC will have a tough time convincing loyalist Indians in the coming general election.

“You must understand the Indian thinking. Cases involving politicians like Anwar Ibrahim are seen more as a politically motivated rather than morality problem cases.”

“BN is to be blamed for the increasing perception that Anwar is innocent. Just see how the case was handled.

“Several BN ministers have accused Anwar as sodomite, “kaki liwat’ even before the judgment and the way of police handle this case since the beginning will also be a reason for a sympathy wave for Anwar and Pakatan,” said the former Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) councillor.

‘No win situation for BN’

Thiruvengadam added that the bulk of the Indian grassroots community believed that Anwar was innocent and that the sodomy charges was a conspiracy to discredit him.

He said current political environment is far different from the days before 2008 and much of the credit for increased public awareness goes to the alternative media and social networks which were freely publishing details of issues in a way that was easily understood.

“It’s a no win situation for BN as far as the Indian voters are concerned. Putting the opposition leader behind the bar will result in a large number of Indian voters voting BN out.

“Acquitting Anwar of the sodomy charges will only confirm to them that the whole trial was politically motivated.

“Either way the 13th GE is going to be a challenge for BN to win over the Indian voters,” said Thiruvengadam.