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Indians should stop supporting Harapan
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LETTER | Let me start by saying that I am not a member of any political party but a common citizen with hopes and dreams just like anyone else.

I had consistently voted for BN except in the last two general elections of 2008 and 2013 when I supported PKR instead.

This change was prompted by Hindraf, which I must say seems to be the only organisation that truly represents the aspirations of the two million strong Indians in the country.

MIC died a long time ago when its leaders felt they were more important than protecting the rights of the community or serving our interests.

For those not familiar with history, the Hindraf-organised rally of 2007 gathered over 30,000 Indians onto the streets of Kuala Lumpur. And, for the first time, the government and our Chinese and Malay friends took notice.

Indians came from every nook and corner of the country to protest for a fair deal and that their legal and religious rights not to be trampled upon.

Hindraf’s P Waythamoorthy supported the BN in GE13 after striking a deal with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to uplift the socio-economic state of the Indians. But he quit the government some months later when he felt the latter had reneged on their agreement.

So once again, on Hindraf’s urging, the Indians are asked to return to support PKR. But I ask for what?

Today, I urge all Indians in the country to support BN instead. Why? Better a known devil than an unknown angel, that’s why.

Let’s look at some facts. PKR and DAP have some prominent Indian members of Parliament (MP). No doubt about that. But so what?

None of these MPs fight for Indian rights per se but make statements along their party lines. So how can anyone claim that they fight for “Indian rights” when they don’t? So let’s stop deceiving ourselves, shall we?

What irks me more than anything is the fact that PKR is dragging around Hindraf by the nose. Since GE13 and especially after Hindraf and Waythamoorthy quit supporting BN, this non-governmental organisation has been going to the ground to speak to Indians in the estates, small towns and urban areas throughout the country.

Hindraf’s crying call has been to support any opposition member in Pakatan Harapan that stands in GE14. But does it even realise its time, energy, money and sacrifices have been a total waste?

If Hindraf continues doing its part for Harapan in this GE14 as it did for BN in GE13, the likelihood of 72 percent of the semi-rural and rural Indian votes mustered in GE13 will surely be cast for Harapan.

Remember that in GE13, Indian support for the opposition fell to 51 percent after Hindraf signed its agreement with BN.

And now, we have the likes of PKR’s Tian Chua who, in one swoop, proclaims that the Indians are irrelevant in GE14. He has insulted the community beyond what words can describe.

The disgust felt by me and many of the Indians I speak with cannot be shared here as it would be highly offensive.

Believe me, Tian Chua has angered the Indian community so much so that I doubt he will get any Indian support in his Batu constituency. And Indians make up 16 percent of his voters. Irrelevant are we?

If the likes of Bersih’s Maria Chin and imports from China can be given a seat to contest in GE14, why not Waythamoorthy and a few others from Hindraf?

Pakatan Harapan has stabbed the Indians in the back, and I call on all members of the community not to support it in GE14.

Put your vote for BN instead. It may not be perfect, but at least we have some government representation if it wins.


The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.

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