‘Indian seats’ in Penang safe for DAP despite shift in voting trend

 Political analyst M Periasamy says the party's recent losses were partly due to the consolidation of Malay votes under BN-Perikatan Nasional.

The Bagan Dalam and Perai seats in Penang, with a considerable percentage of Indian voters, should remain with DAP if elections were held soon, said independent political analyst M Periasamy.

GEORGE TOWN:

DAP can retain two seats in Penang with a significant number of Indian voters despite recent state election trends indicating that the community has begun to reject Pakatan Harapan, according to an analyst.

The Johor and Negeri Sembilan elections saw Barisan Nasional make gains in areas traditionally seen as DAP strongholds. MIC secured four seats in Johor, while DAP lost Repah and Chennah in Negeri Sembilan, the latter held by party secretary-general Loke Siew Fook for three terms.

While the defeats prompted political observers to warn that PH is losing its non-Malay voter base, including Indians who were regarded as staunch supporters in Negeri Sembilan, independent political analyst M Periasamy said both Bagan Dalam and Perai remain safe seats for DAP in Penang.

Periasamy said this was because the losses in Johor and Negeri Sembilan were partly due to the consolidation of Malay votes under BN and Perikatan Nasional.

He also pointed out that the Indian community’s grievances are not with DAP. Instead, he said, they were “disappointed” by how Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had handled issues such as unresolved historical land administration problems surrounding temples, quotas for pre-university matriculation programme, and the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra).

“Whatever the turnout among Malay voters in Penang during the coming elections, Bagan Dalam and Perai will still be retained by DAP,” he said.

Perai has 35.7% Indian voters while Bagan Dalam has 26.5%. Both seats have traditionally been the “Indian seats” of any ruling party in Penang. MIC held both seats when BN governed the state until 2008, when DAP’s Indian assemblymen were elected to represent them.

Perai’s assemblyman is S Sundarajoo, who is also a state exco member, while Bagan Dalam is represented by Kumaran Krishan @ Calvin.

Support still there, but more needs to be done

Kumaran said he would not describe either his seat or Perai as “vulnerable” based on the recent election results. He said his observations on the ground found that the Indian community continues to support PH.

However, he acknowledged a decline in support among the community as reflected in Johor and Negeri Sembilan.

“There is genuine concern and frustration within certain segments of the community, particularly over issues involving education, economic opportunities, social mobility, and community empowerment.

“More meaningful reforms need to be accelerated, with outcomes that can be felt directly on the ground,” he said.

He also said Anwar must continue to deliver on his earlier commitments to raise education levels and improve the socio-economic standing of the Indian community.

In addition, Mitra needed to become more proactive, accessible and approachable to the community.

It also needed to strengthen its grassroots engagement, communicate its programmes more effectively, and ensure that assistance reaches deserving individuals and organisations efficiently.

“DAP and PH must continue to engage the community, listen to their concerns and, most importantly, deliver results. Support should never be assumed. It must be continuously earned through service, reforms, and delivery,” he said.

DAP Youth vice-chief Harris Liinesh Selluandan said although there may be dissatisfaction on certain matters, that does not necessarily mean the community has lost trust in DAP.

“However, we should never assume that because the Indian community has supported DAP in the past, that support is guaranteed for the future. We need to engage more consistently, especially with the younger generation.

“We need to listen to them, understand their aspirations, and give them meaningful opportunities to participate in politics and decision-making,” he said. - FMT