Ramasamy’s new party unlikely to sway Indian voters, say analysts

Analysts say Indian voters are expected to vote strategically for one of two major parties, not a smaller party with little chance of success.

PETALING JAYA: Two political analysts have poured cold water on the ability of a new party set up by P Ramasamy to woo Indian voters, citing the outcome of the six state elections in August.

James Chin of the University of Tasmania said while the former Penang deputy chief minister did not contest in the Penang election, the latter’s allies did, and lost their deposits.

Satees Muniandy, who contested in Bagan Dalam, secured only 1,111 votes, while former Seberang Perai city councillor David Marshel, who stood in Perai, only managed 1,439 votes.

Both Satees and David are part of Ramasamy’s Indian-based party, the United for the Rights of Malaysians Party or Urimai, which was launched on Sunday.

“(Based on the Penang polls), it’s quite clear that this party will have no traction among the Indian community,” Chin told FMT.

He added that the party’s focus on the Indian community and claims by Ramasamy that multiracial parties do not work in Malaysia might limit its appeal to the Indian community.

“So I doubt he will have any support outside the Indian community.”

Azmil Tayeb of Universiti Sains Malaysia also played down the new party’s potential impact on Indian voters, including attracting those from Pakatan Harapan (PH).

“Considering our first-past-the-post electoral system, Indian voters are expected to vote strategically for one of two major parties, not a smaller party with little chance of success.”

Azmil also cited the swing in Indian votes to the opposition at the six state elections instead of other multiracial parties.

“Look at Muda and PSM,” he added. The two parties did not win any seats.

However, Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said the party could influence PH’s share of Indian votes due to their dissatisfaction over Ramasamy’s treatment while with DAP.

He said the low Indian voter turnout at the recent state polls might reflect this dissatisfaction.

Previously, a study by analyst Bridget Welsh, published by Malaysiakini, revealed a 15% drop in Indian votes at the state elections. - FMT