MALASIAN INDIANS ARE IN A DILEMMA

A statement from Ramani Krishnan of the Malaysian Innovative Graduates Association (MIGA)

Malaysian Indians, under the MADANI Government, are now very distressed and directionless. This is true if one were to carry out a erudite survey. If Government is not aware it is not acceptable.

Today's Malaysian Indian is described as  a 'second class citizen' by Tun Mahathir  which is sarcastic;  the outcry that Malaysians cannot consider themselves as a communal group by the ruling PH is unfair; the Malaysian Indian is forced to face almost closed doors everywhere they go which is a disaster.

This is very disappointing for the destitute Indian.

At one time, UMNO only saw the  Indian doctors as a hindrance for Bumiputras, Indians in Government were seen as unduly holding high proportion of jobs and unduly represented in social and political life as well. So UMNO undertook a very damaging action to limit the  Indian influence in Malaysian life. This was a reactive and damaging approach to which the Government has been oblivious.

The result has become entrenched in our socio- economic and even political fabric as an indelible or insurmountable resistance to Indian community progress. 

Both in West Malaysia and East Malaysia it is clear that only the Indians and Chinese remain as non-Bumiputras. The Indian plight is not the same as that of the Chinese plight in general welfare and in the power of resilience. So, Indians hv become the most affected in socio economic well bring and really need a direct Government hand to survive.

Their position is worsened by limited opportunities in education, employment, investment and representation in politics and Government.

Such realities have pushed the Indian community to its brink of disillutionment. Their community political parties and their NGO organizations are unable to do anything just because they do not have the strategic thinking leaders and they lack  willingness of the Malay leaders to open their eyes to see the truth. The Govt too is not able to help. So, Indian leaders are disillusiond and unable to act as well.

Given this scenario, a group of individuals under the banner, 'The Malaysian Innovative Graduates Association  (MIGA)', has initiated to work closely with MADANI Government to reassure the Indian community to be happy and support the Government to initiate some affirmative actions.

MIGA has crafted carefully a ten point plan to uplift the Indian community. They have discussed with present and past leaders of the community and sought their understanding on this 10 point proposal sent to PMX in October, 2023. 

They understand from elected representatives that the Prime Minister is fully aware of their views but has not really attended to their request decidedly. Even a direct discussion with PMX has not been accorded so far to MIGA mainly because PMX has not perhaps fully grasped their request.

It is assesed that, though Indian voters are not on their own the majority in any state or national constituency, they still are an influensive group in many constituency election results. The recent KKB constituency results clearly showed this strength.

Besides, Indians have trusted PMX as their saviour over the last 25 years and worked with him closely to ensure his return to power. UMNO had not been able to see the realities the community was facing and left them out in the fundamentals of plans and programmes firmly, since independence.

The opposition is now surreptitiously looking at working with some dissident Indian parties for a communal coalition in 2026 and accomodate their requests.

Thus, PH and the Government cannot ignore the Indian  plight. PMX must meet MIGA which has the support of hundreds of NGOs. Their aim is to fully support MADANI government if it is willing to look at their well thought-out new strategic upliftment plan for the Malaysian Indians.

It is hoped PMX looks at MIGA's proposals without prejudice without any further delay.

Ramani Krishnan

President MIGA.

(Ramani Krishnan is a lawyer and a social scientist who has worked in MIC as its Executive Secretary for 22 years under the leadership of Tun Samy Vellu)

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