MIC:Though there are unresolved issues affecting the Indian community, only the Barisan Nasional can safeguard their interests, says the Federation of Malaysian Indian Organisations (Prima). The president of the umbrella body for 115 Indian-based organisations, Raja Retnam, gives his reasons to SONIA RAMACHANDRAN
Q: A section of the Indian community appears to be unhappy with the MIC and there is fear that they will vote against the Barisan Nasional this time. What do you think?
A: With nine parliament and 19 state seats, the MIC cannot afford to lose even one seat as the Indian community is already under-represented. They cannot use the election to punish MIC.
Q: So you think the community should give the MIC another chance?
A: Yes. Its president, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, has already answered the call for change by fielding 13 new faces at state level and two at parliament level.
Q: What will happen if they do decide to vote for the opposition?
A: The community cannot afford to gamble. For example, if the MIC representative loses the Pahang state seat, there will be no Indian representative in Pahang. So who is going to bring up Indian issues in the state assembly?
Q: But sentiments are such that there are likely to be some who will vote for the opposition, don’t you think?
A: If they do, MIC will still win but with a lesser majority. It may just lose one or two seats. Of course, fewer seats would mean it will be more difficult for MIC to play its role. It might also mean MIC losing seats in the next general election as the other component parties will ask for MIC seats based on the losses this time. It will be difficult for the community to recover those seats.
Q: What caused the discontent in the Indian community?
A: One of the reasons is that there are not enough Indian representatives at state level to raise and address community issues. MIC is a small party within the coalition. It has nine parliamentary and 19 state seats, so we don’t have Indian representatives in every state government. In states like Kelantan, Terengganu and Perlis, there is no Indian state assemblyman at all. So how can the problems be heard?
Q: Do you think the new faces introduced by Samy Vellu will make a difference?
A: Yes. The new faces know what the community wants. They also know that they have to function effectively.
Q: Do you think the new government that will be formed will be able to rectify these problems?
A: I believe the new government will be able to rectify these problems. The BN is the best government and has brought tremendous development to the country. It has never sidelined any community.
Q: But there are claims that some of the Indian community’s problems have not been resolved?
A: The non-governmental organisations aligned with the opposition have distorted and misinterpreted the issue and the opposition has capitalised on this.The Indian community wanted a change in leadership and that has been answered. Samy Vellu has clearly said this is the last term for him and that he wants to ensure everything is all right before he hands the party over to the younger generation.
Q: Do you think Samy Vellu should step down?
A: Whoever is not functioning has to go. The Indian community is unhappy with the local leaders, not the party president. Samy Vellu meets hundreds of Indians weekly.Why would they meet him if they do not want him? He has said he will step down after this term and I think he will keep to his word. I think Samy Vellu should not step down because he does his work. Age is not a factor.
Q: Do you think the Indian community is left out?
A: If it is, we can’t blame the MIC or the government. There are many other reasons. The community has to grab opportunities presented. For example, the government has allocated hundreds of seats in vocational colleges but these are not taken up. When we go around recruiting, they don’t grab the opportunity.We must teach the community how to fish, not give them the fish. The community, however, seems to be looking for the fish. There needs to be reform and a mindset change in the community. They need to empower themselves.
Q: So what is the answer for the community?
A: They should vote for the MIC candidates. The opposition cannot represent them. They can only shout in the Dewan Rakyat. We need our representatives in policy-making positions.So I’m calling on the Indian community to think rationally, intellectually. Act wisely and not emotionally. They must think about the fate of their children and community.
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