The KKB by-election and the Indian electorate

 

I WAS born in Malaysia, belonging to the Indian ethnic group, which constitutes approximately 7% of the country’s total population.

My durable credence is that I am Malaysian first and foremost, and only then do I identify myself as Indian.

Regrettably, it saddens me to witness and hear about the actions of certain politicians who question my loyalty to Malaysia.

What is even more disheartening is that some Malaysians have been influenced by the manipulative rhetoric of these self-serving politicians.

Recently, I have observed numerous discussions on both mainstream and online news platforms regarding the recognition and inclusion of Indians by ruling parties.

Surprisingly, even the opposition has displayed a significant interest in the welfare of Indians.

Upon contemplating the reasons behind this sudden surge in attention towards Indians, it becomes evident that it is primarily driven by the upcoming Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) by-election.

It is noteworthy that such trends tend to emerge exclusively during by-elections or general elections.

KKB by-election

The upcoming by-election in KKB has highlighted the significant role of the Indian electorate, who make up nearly 18% of the total voters.

Historically, this constituency was considered a stronghold for the Barisan Nasional (BN) component party, MCA, until 2013 when it became a throttlehold for DAP, which is now part of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition.

The Malay voters make up approximately 47% of the electorate, while the Chinese voters account for 30%.

This demographic composition indicates that the Indian voters have the potential to be the deciding factor in determining the winner of this by-election.

Consequently, both the ruling party and the opposition have started showing interest in Indian issues, not necessarily because they genuinely care, but rather to secure the maximum number of Indian votes and win this crucial election.

The behaviour of politicians from various parties, including Indian politicians who only speak up on Indian matters during “special” occasions like this, leads me to question if Indians, or more specifically Indian voters, are being used as mere tools for the self-serving agendas of these politicians.

I am slowly losing faith in these politicians who consistently make grand promises but ultimately have no desire to meet the fundamental needs of the Indian community in Malaysia.

They are skilled performers whose main concern is safeguarding their own political future in this nation.

These politicians lack the insight to comprehend the expectations of young voters, including Indian voters, who are tired of the theatrical and unproductive tactics employed by these individuals.

This nation was once blessed with exceptional leaders such as Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, Tuan Guru Tan Sri Nik Aziz Nik Mat, and Tun Ghazali Shafie, who prioritised the welfare of the people above all else, regardless of race or religion.

Regrettably, leaders of such calibre are now scarce or non-existent in this country.

There is significant discontent among the Indian community, particularly the Tamils, due to the absence of a Tamil minister in the cabinet for the first time since independence.

The Tamils constitute the majority of the Indian population in the country. I am sceptical whether a non-Tamil Minister truly comprehends the genuine requirements of the Tamil community in this nation.

Despite having three deputy ministers who are able to communicate in Tamil, their absence from the Cabinet meetings where policy decisions are made is concerning.

This singular matter holds significant importance as Indian voters in KKB weigh their options between supporting the opposition or independent candidates.

Historically, Indian voters have been staunch supporters of BN until they recognised that their loyalty was being taken advantage of.

Following the emergence of the Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) in 2007, there was a shift towards voting for Pakatan Rakyat, which later evolved into PH.

However, since 2022, after PH formed a coalition government with BN, GPS, and GRS, the Indian community on the ground has felt neglected and marginalised, with their concerns not being adequately addressed by the current administration.

The recent state election, particularly in Selangor, where Perikatan Nasional (PN) has secured additional seats, suggests a gradual shift of Indian voters away from PH.

It has been observed that prominent Indian leaders within PH, particularly in PKR and DAP, were sidelined in the previous general election and the recent state election.

The Indian community perceives the current composition of Indian leaders in PKR and DAP as lacking influence and being subservient to the top leadership of these parties.

The upcoming by-election serves as a crucial test for the Indian community to determine which leader and political party they truly trust.

The continuous mistakes made by the ruling party, along with superficial attempts to rectify them, will not be accepted by the Indian community.

The present Indian population is well-informed about current national and international affairs thanks to social media.

They are capable of distinguishing trustworthy leaders who can address their basic needs in the country.

Young Indian voters have become more astute and can influence their older counterparts to support a specific leader or party.

It is essential to remind national leaders, regardless of their affiliation, not to underestimate the voting power of the Indian community in the country. The days of taking advantage of them are long gone.

The vast amount of information shared on social media, as well as the influence of their children, will play a crucial role in deciding whom they will choose to support.

Blindly supporting a specific leader, political party, or coalition is no longer the primary factor for Indian voters in this nation.

R.Paneir Selvam is the principal consultant of Arunachala Research & Consultancy Sdn Bhd (ARRESCON), a thinktank specialising on strategic national and geo-political matters.

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

- Focus Malaysia