IT IS boring and tiresome to hear from time to time whenever the situation warrants, Prime Minister Datuk SeriAnwar Ibrahim’s tireless efforts in addressing the woes of the Indian community.
Very recently, he envisages the establishment of training and vocational programmes to assist the Indian community through the efforts of the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA).
Various government agencies will be asked to look into the various social and economic problems in assisting the Indian community.
This is not the first time Anwar has said such things. He has said them in the past to the point that they don’t mean anything to the Indian community anymore.
Anwar’s appeasement remarks are always in view of arresting the fact of the fast-declining Indian support for the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition channelled through DAP and PKR.
Whether Anwar knows it or not, Indian support started deteriorating after the state elections in 2023. The support fell one-half from the one-time high of 80% to 40% in the state elections.
No turning back
The purge and sidelining of prominent Indian leaders were among the reasons. In the recent Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections, Indian support took a further dip.
I think by the time of the 16th General Election GE16), PH will be devoid of Indian support. Given the PAS factor in the opposition coalition, Indians might simply stay away from voting or spoil their votes.
Anwar can talk endlessly about the beneficial social, technical and economic programmes for the Indian community. However, whether there will be tangible benefits remains to be seen.
Anwar can have the best of intentions but unfortunately, he has a low level of trust in the community. He has hurt and humiliated the community too many times.
Using the derogatory word “Keling” and describing the Hindu temples as “illegal” has destroyed the trust the community had in him.
Even his apology for using the word “illegal” in describing the temples is a bit too late and too little.
No Hindu or Indian of the right mind will forgive Anwar for the forceful re-location of a 130-year-old Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple in Jalan Masjid India to make way for the Madani Mosque in the Federal capital.
Indian sycophants in DAP and PKR might shamelessly sing praises of Anwar as the “Gandhi-Mandela of Malaysia”.
Unfortunately, Anwar being a political opportunist and chameleon comes nowhere near Gandhi or Mandela.
Serve no purpose
Back to the MITRA, it is said that funds for the training programmes for Indian youth would be channelled to the government agency dedicated to improving the socio-economic welfare of the Indian community, particularly the low-income B40 group.
I don’t understand why MITRA still exists in the first place. It is a failed organisation as far as the Indian community is concerned.
The financial pittance accorded to MITRA is an insult to the intelligence of the Indian community. In brief, MITRA is a disgrace.
Editor’s Note: MITRA normally receives RM100 mil annually from the government with the exception of 2026 when PMX announced an extra RM50 mil, thus bringing the total 2026 budget to RM150 mil.
This funding boost marks the first major funding hike for the agency in over two decades.
Without the fundamental recognition of the inalienable rights of the Indian community, one that has sacrificed in blood and sweat for the development and progress of the country, there will be no progress for the community.
Anwar should stop pretending that he is the saviour or the MGR of the Indian community (M. G. Ramachandran, popular actor in Tamil cinema and former Tamil Nadu chief minister).
Indians have suffered and continue to suffer under his leadership. When Indians are not respected as citizens of the country, how can they attain progress?
I don’t want to touch on the subject matter of public employment in the country and its terribly skewed nature, let alone business and entrepreneurial opportunities.
How can government programmes assist the community when roadblocks are placed everywhere? Anwar should stop taking the Indian community for a long ride.
Apologies and occasional MGR stunts might not fool the community.
Former DAP stalwart and Penang deputy chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.
- Focus Malaysia.
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