Dr Thanussha Xavier - Muda VP now Fulbright scholar

Chances are that you’ve been made aware of Dr Thanussha Francis Xavier, a recently inducted politician and one of the vice-presidents of Muda.

A medical doctor by profession, Thanussha continues to set high standards by being awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, which will fund her Master’s programme at Columbia University in New York.

When she jets off to the US in September, it will be to pursue her Master’s degree in International Relations, with a focus on economics and political development.

The 31-year-old is one of four Malaysian Fulbright scholars selected by the US State Department this year. She intends to use this opportunity to improve her skills in the political field as well.

“I firmly believe that politics in Malaysia needs to be issue-based and policy-driven. No more religious and racial rhetoric. My hope is to work together with other similar-minded groups to steer Malaysia in this direction.

“I also intend to continue empowering more women and marginalised communities in politics. The days of women and minority communities being sidelined needs to end,” she told Malaysiakini.

Born in Taiping, Perak, Thanussha grew up valuing her education, having scored 10 As for her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) in 2008.

This led to her being awarded a scholarship to pursue medicine in Havana, Cuba, in 2010.

She then made the drastic turn last year from being a medical practitioner to a leading role as an Indian female vice-president of a Malaysian political party.

Thanussha noted that there are many capable Indian women in the country who deserve the space to participate in politics but may be afraid to take the plunge.

‘A lack of platform for women’

“There needs to be a conscious effort by political parties to be more diverse and inclusive, both in the party’s leadership as well as in candidacy nominations during elections,” she said.

Passionate about women and minority rights, she believes that there is a lack of platform for women to participate in politics and be involved in decision-making.

“With the exception of Muda, most political parties have women’s wings which, although originally intended to empower women in politics, have instead immured women’s voices as they are confined and limited by it.

“The bigger issue, however, is racism and sexism. It is extremely discouraging to be constantly told you are not good enough, you do not know enough and that you will never be good enough.

“Fighting discrimination on a daily basis can be exhausting and mentally challenging. Female leaders, especially from minority groups, have to work multiple times harder to be seen as equally good as our male counterparts," Thanussha added.

She said it is not that women do not have the stomach for politics, but is it really fair to expect women to face systemic discrimination for simply being from a different gender?

“If our male counterparts were held to the same standard as women, we would have an empty Parliament,” she added.

End discrimination

As an Indian woman in politics, Thanussha has personally faced discrimination on the political scene.

“Being looked down on by the political community is a lived reality. I am looked down upon for, firstly being female, and then for being from a minority community and on top of that, for being young.

“There is always a perception that I could not possibly have anything of value to say as I am not from elitist circles and because I do not have sufficient political ‘experience’,” she added.

Thanussha pointed out that racism and sexism were extremely prevalent in politics, which makes it even more difficult for women and politicians from minority communities.

“The challenge has never been about navigating politics itself, but rather, about navigating discrimination.

“We see this discrimination reflected in all layers of the Indian community. For example, Malaysian Indian SPM students who do well are not given scholarships or admission to public universities. I was in the same boat after I completed my SPM.

“Even now, in order to support the cost of living in the US, I have to borrow from my parents’ EPF savings because most financial aid is intended for the bumiputera only,” she said.

GE15 hopes

The Muda vice-president told Malaysiakini that her role in the party has yet to be decided by its top leadership.

However, she intends to resign from the post.

“It is only fair for the position to be helmed by someone who can be present here physically as we are approaching critical times with the 15th general election (GE15) around the corner,” she said.

When asked about her hopes for GE15, she said that the opposition must work together to have a shot at winning.

“If ego takes precedence, we have already lost. My hope is, of course, to see more young candidates from minority groups and more female candidates as well.

“They should be given the opportunity to contest in winnable seats and not be put up as candidates for mere tokenism.

“We must take an honest look at ourselves as Malaysians and question why we have failed as a nation to progress as well as our neighbouring countries, and how this ties to race relations in Malaysia.” - Mkini