POLITICAL MOBILIZATION OF MALAYSIAN INDIANS

By Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria

The Hindraf movement captured the imagination of not only the Indian community but all communities in Malaysia in their ability to mobilise mass protest against the Barisan led government as reflected by a major swing against the BN and MIC during the 12th general elections.

Socio-economic neglect and rise of a new social movement

At the heart of the matter was this movement’s claim of the socio-economic neglect of the Tamil/Hindu community in Malaysia. Their claim is that they have been discriminated, alienated and dislocated in Malaysian society. In addition that the public delivery system has not really addressed the critical needs, concerns and issues of the community.

It is true to say that while some of the data provided by the movement’s leaders might be questionable, their methods might be unorthodox and their analysis has offended a section of the Malay elite within the ruling party but their core concerns and grievances are real. This perception of grievances is shared by a majority of Malaysian Indians as reflected in the voting pattern during the 12th general elections.

It is important to note that Hindraf and Makal Sakthi movements is a social movement of discontentment with its primary attack on the BN led government. Its attack was also extended the MIC leadership and all associated with it. According to critics, discontentment and disillusionment continues to remain at a high level against the MIC leadership.

A shift to alternative political parties

A large section of the Malaysian Indian community felt that alternative leaders from opposition lead political parties such as the DAP and Keadilan could better represent their interest in an alternative multi racial coalition.

While the MIC and the BN government has announced many special measures for Tamil school rebuilding, micro credit loans, business and skill training for youth since March 8, 2008, however these are still viewed as piece meal, too micro to address the root issues and recapture the appreciation of a majority of Indians.

Opposition Indian Members of Parliament and state assembly representatives who won in the March 8, 2008 are now in-undated with service oriented demands and while a majority of the elected representatives are seeking to do their part in serving the grassroots, it is now being realized that it is insufficient in addressing these concerns at the micro level. These representatives have kept repeating the slogan that they need to capture the Federal government in order to address the structural concerns.

Emerging unhappiness with alternative political leaders

Discontent against sections of opposition leaders at the state and local government levels has also emerged. While political change through representation has come especially in a number of the States but it has not been translated fast enough in socio economic terms as the root grievances of the poorer sections of the Malaysian Tamil community are socio economic requiring social development intervention by the public sector directly which is largely controlled by Federal agencies.

While the voters swung with the opposition parties such as DAP and Keadilan, they have not been institutionalized within these parties as members. Hindraf and Makal Sakti supporters want these parties to take their voter base seriously by PKR fielding its choice candidate. This did not materialize in the Bukit Selambau case. Furthermore the choice of the Keadilan candidate has not been well received by some local Indian leaders within PKR and the local community.

It is still too early to say if the Malaysian Indian voters at Bukit Selambau will truly swing back to the BN as forecasted by some people, as the core grievances of the community are still unresolved. However the MIC now has an opportunity in Bukit Selambau to test the waters again to humbly win back the confidence of the Indian community.
Furthermore what has emerged is that BN through default might make tremendous gains by the confusion caused by some of the Indian leaders within the opposition who have openly defied the Opposition leader’s choice of the PKR candidate in Bukit Selambau.

This is why the MIC must view the vacuum created in political representation of the Indian community with some urgency. It must move beyond rebranding itself and make fundamental leadership and structural changes which can recapture the confidence of not only the Indian community but all Malaysians as a whole.

Indian Political leadership- Vacuum

What is clearly evident in contemporary Malaysian Indian politics is that, they are no commanding national political leaders who can mass mobilize the community today. It is a fragment community which is divided politically into small splinter groups. Some are with MIC, others with Gerakan or PPP and IPF with many more now under DAP and PKR. However none are able to command the respect of a majority of the Indian community while there is a visible anti BN trend since the 12th General Elections.

With the key Hindraf leaders still detained under the ISA, the Hindraf/Makal Sakti movement will have to re-strategise in order to enhance the political power and influence. If this does not materialize, then the spirit of the movement and its uprising will remain in the heart of a majority of Indians but it might not be a dynamic force as it influenced Malaysian political scene by creating history on March 8, 2008 in swing the Indians away from the BN.

Furthermore as Bukit Selambau shows how individual micro leaders take advantage of perceived influence and exploit it for themselves rather than for community good. Working under the umbrella of an established political party will bear fruit as compared as going sole.

Harnessing Political activism

It is imperative for the Indian community to note that sustained political action requires leadership, funding, structure and institutions. The movement for socio-political changes is not a short term venture it requires long term strategies and actions. The community must recognize that this is not an individual battle but requires political partners from other communities in order to have a role in the administration of government. It has to work along with its partners to cut a better deal for the community. The Indian community hopes the incoming Administration of the new PM will bring about a better deal for Malaysian Indians.


---------------------------------
Views expressed here are his personal views and do not necessarily reflect the views of the institutions he is associated with. Email contact: denisonjayasooria@gmail.com