DOES the Indian community still matter to the apex BN party?
Comprehending history and tradition is apposite for those interested in understanding the recent fractious relationship between the Malaysian Indian Congress (‘MIC’) and Umno Baru.
Originally, MIC was not a creation of those seeking greener pastures in Malaya but one that was necessitated by the independence movement enkindled in India.
Hence, the Congress Party of Malaya was established. Visionary leaders, as our founding fathers were, recognised the need for the three major races in Malaya to form an alliance to move forward towards independence and contest future elections.
This vision ultimately led to the registration of Barisan Nasional (‘BN’) as a political party representing the three major races equitably. The Chairman of BN was not a ruler, but merely the first amongst equals in the party.
The founding fathers insisted on consensus ad idem as there is no party that is too big or too small in this coalition. The visionary leaders believed all races should be treated with fairness and justice, and chose the symbol ‘dacing’(scale) to signify that principle. Regrettably with the advent of time and change in the culture of UMNO, the President of Umno (who always is the Prime Minister) decided that Umno dictates and all other parties adhere.
For those who require further exemplification, one only needs to read up on Tun Mahathir Mohamed and his ideology on race relations in Malaysia during his first tenure as PM.
Over time the role of MIC vis-à-vis the Indian community was systematically phased down by the ever-powerful Umno.
Correspondingly, Umno warlords at the state and divisional levels were emboldened to disregard and disrespect Indian leaders at the grassroots. The malaise continued when subsequent Chairman decided to empower non-governmental organisation and caste-based groupings to the point that MIC was reduced to an observer at Indian events.
From the days of Tun VT Sambanthan, Tan Sri V.Manickavasagam and Tun Samy Velu were guests of honour at Indian events, the MIC leaders were invited guest at events where Umno leaders were chief guests.
Umno was working towards a total annihilation of MIC and its leaders. It was a systemic plan with the ultimate goal of reducing MIC leaders to token representatives of the Indian community.
Now most NGO leaders rejoiced at the new found camaraderie with Umno and many proudly declared that there is no need for an Indian party or an Indian leader to represent them in Cabinet. I often wonder what they are thinking now? With the loss of an Indian leader and the rise of non-Indian representatives for the Indian community, many cultural, religious, and traditional practices of the Indians were sacrificed.
Temples were labelled ‘haram’. Indians faced discrimination in employment and welfare programs (with Mitra funds remain unutilised) leaving the community voiceless.
Not to be outdone, the current leadership of Umno has plans to nail the coffin shut by insisting MIC works with Umno without any expectations. Indian representatives are repeatedly lectured to be loyal to BN.
That Umno leaders will remember MIC in their negotiations with external coalitions remains the often-repeated mantra.
No Indian leader is included in these negotiations, yet MIC is expected to remain loyal as dictated.
The BN Chairman proclaims everything as if he is a ruler issuing decrees. The punitive threat of MIC being defeated at Parliamentary and state elections remain in the lips of warlords like Puad Zarkashi.
The truth is, there are no Indian-majority seats in Malaysia, and there is a possibility of a whitewash if Umno declares war against MIC. However, this simplistic view ignores the fact that Umno has lost its customary Malay vote base.
On the flip side, MIC has regained a sizeable number of non-urban, non T20 Indian voters due to its continued social service vide MIED and AIMST.
The MIC President with his unassuming leadership, has an excellent relationship with PMX, resulting in PMX directly supporting MIC’s social causes. It is perverse that PMX is using the very same template that Umno President used to draw the Indian NGOs. The rot in the relationship between Umno and MIC began decades ago.
The leadership of MIC is currently seeking its members’ feedback before operating on the gangrene. In the worst-case scenario, MIC becomes a social organisation serving the Indian community.
One wonders if Umno is prepared to risk losing its political party status post GE 17. I do not wish for this prose to be a MIC member droning on at a great length with seemingly inexhaustible passion but I am constrained to have this soporific explanation, as I should be allowed a mild lament after reading an article by the eternal optimist K Parkaran, who in his wisdom proclaimed that MIC is weaker compared to MCA.
Often, I smile when I read Malay and Chinese analysts and their limited understanding of the Indian psyche.
One commentator seems completely at bliss with the current political leanings of the Chinese community.
If we are so weak why bother about us? Surely, we are irrelevant, being the weak ones in politics? We may be at our weakest (though I disagree), but we are not meek, and we are led by men, not eunuchs.
The writer is a Scoop reader