Are all Indians being victimised in Penang?

 

Once again Indians find themselves in no-man’s land in Malaysia. This time it is in Penang.

P Ramasamy, the erstwhile deputy chief minister II of Penang asked a question earlier this week if Indians in Penang are being victimised. He asked this because he claims, “…there have been systematic steps taken by certain state agencies to victimise and terminate the employment of Indian staff.”

He cites some examples of these terminations; two employees in the TechDome science centre and four employees of the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB). He further alleges that these state employees were fired on flimsy grounds, and that he suspects their termination was only because he recruited them.

Since Ramasamy was unceremoniously jettisoned from contesting as a state assemblyman, and left his former party in a huff, he has consistently been a thorn in the side of DAP and the Penang state government.

Some argue that after being dropped, Ramasamy has gone on to call out the DAP leadership and continues to infuriate the party at every opportunity. In this particular case on the alleged victimisation of Indians in Penang, the same call is being made.

To the independent observer, the termination of six Indian employees from two state agencies, does not support the broad allegations by the former DAP leader that “Indians in Penang are being victimised.” These terminations could be interpreted as isolated and justified incidents.

But Ramasamy goes on to argue that during his tenure, he not only employed Indians but also facilitated the recruitment of hundreds of employees in the various state agencies, from all races. Yet, he claims, only the Indians he hired are now getting fired.

Ramasamy further claims that entrepreneurs he helped during his tenure are also being targeted, and projects that he initiated are being placed in cold storage.

So, are Indians actually being victimised in Penang? The jury is still out on this matter. At the time of writing, no official response has come from state officials on Ramasamy’s allegations.

Yet, even if true, Ramasamy can have no grounds for complaint. After all, oftentimes in politics when one leader leaves, his followers who do not go with him are liable to be purged.

But DAP must understand that by alienating their strongest Indian leader the party risks losing the confidence of a large segment of their Indian vote bank.

It is imperative that the party quickly repair the relationship with their Indian voters.

Having been the standard bearer for the concept of “Malaysia for all Malaysians” over so many decades, and the voice for underdogs, it feels like DAP has turned its back on these time-honoured ideals. In the past, no matter what, the party always stood for championing people’s rights.

After suckling on the elixir of power in Penang from 2008, and federally over the last few years, the once people-centric DAP, which stood for the rights of the marginalised and downtrodden in society regardless of race and religion, now appears prepared to abandon a significant part of its base.

Of course, the heroics of Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh will and should never be forgotten. And more recently, the persistence of Tony Pua in digging up the 1MDB scandal can never really be underestimated. Our nation will always be grateful to these stalwarts.

Many people thought that this party, built on the courage of a few dedicated leaders, with the support of the “men and women on the street” would never stoop to becoming the political archetype of using people willy-nilly, and dropping them when their “sell-by-date” expires, or if they deign to have views that are different from the party grandees.

And, many Indians around the country feel that this is exactly what DAP is doing now.

So, maybe it is time for Malaysians to resolve that we no longer vote simply for a political party. These parties do not seem to show loyalty to us, so why should we be loyal to them?

Let’s continue to keep asking relentless questions without fear or favour. If Indians appointed by former leader Ramasamy are being dropped for their incompetence or negligence, of course, it would be the correct move.

But if they are being expunged just because he appointed them, or that they were on “friendly” terms with him, it would be a travesty of justice.

Stand up, ask, and agitate. We must make our politicians responsible and accountable to us, and not to their political masters. Remember, only when we change, will our nation change. - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.