Former two-term member of the MIC central working committee (CWC) S Sunther has decided to take a different direction in his political career by joining Warisan, as he strongly believes multiracial parties are the way forward.
“I joined Warisan as I believe in its vision and direction.
“I am currently focused on being able to contribute to my new party and building a strong grassroots machinery to be able to serve the people effectively.
“I truly feel that a multiracial party is necessary to achieve a truly united Malaysia — not by putting aside race and religion, but by embracing and respecting our differences.
“Warisan stands for the inclusion of all races; and all segments of society. I know I can play a strong role (in that),” he said in an interview with Malaysiakini.
Sunther is the managing director of Tamil-daily Makkal Osai.
The 43-year-old is the son of former MIC deputy president S Subramaniam.
Subramaniam, a former six-term MP and federal minister, has been in a coma since November 2011 following a critical brain procedure after suffering a cerebral bleed due to high blood pressure.
Subramaniam was part of a longstanding rivalry against former MIC president S Samy Vellu, who reportedly dropped Subramaniam as a candidate for the 11th general election — three days before nomination day.
Sunther said there was no denying the infighting within MIC over the years, but clarified that he had got the blessings to pursue Warisan from those aligned with his father’s faction.
He added that despite his beliefs in a multiracial party, he would be willing to work with MIC in an effort to uplift the Indian community.
'I shall always be happy to work with MIC'
“My lineage will always be with MIC, but as we approach a new era, I had to make a choice in what I believe — to move to a party that is not based on one race.
“MIC has always stood for the plight of the Indian community. I shall always be happy to work with them (MIC) in achieving their goals of uplifting the Indian community,” he said.
Sunther likened his switch in the political party to Warisan president Mohd Shafie Apdal’s own political career.
Shafie was first elected to Parliament in 1995 as an Umno member and went on to serve as the party’s vice-president for many years.
Similarly, Warisan vice-president Junz Wong was first elected as the DAP state assemblyperson for Likas in 2013, but he later defected and contested under Warisan in the 2018 general election.
“Things happen. People adapt and transform for the betterment of the nation and hence, Warisan was formed. I see Warisan as my present and the future of this nation,” Sunther said.
It's a new era
Asked about the strategy for the forthcoming general election, Sunther said his new party was strengthening its grassroots machinery as a national party.
“Warisan is focusing on strengthening its grassroots machinery as a national party, and is looking to champion policies that will help heal a very fractured nation,” he said.
Warisan, which started off as a Sabah-based opposition party in 2016, announced its plans to expand to Peninsular Malaysia in October 2021.
It is understood that Warisan has strong ties with the newly-formed Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda), with Junz Wong calling on voters to give these two parties the opportunity to lead in the next general election.
Warisan previously claimed that it was open to working alongside Harapan in the next general election to avoid splitting votes among the opposition parties.
However, Sunther said that it was too soon now for the party to choose alliances and that political alignments would be decided closer to the GE15. - Mkini
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