Analysts: Indians still have faith in unity pact

High hopes: Kampung Laksamana’s Indian residents showing their enthusiasm to campaigning and voting in the upcoming state election in Selangor. – FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

PETALING JAYA: The Indian community in Malaysia may have its grouses over their lot under the unity government, but they are not about to flee into the hands of Perikatan Nasional, say analysts.

At the last general election, there was a significant swing of Indian votes to Pakatan Harapan away from Barisan Nasional, which affected Barisan’s showing.

However, there was little or no movement towards Perikatan.

With Barisan and Pakatan working together, the only fear now is that the Indians may not come out to vote.

The last-minute attempt to woo Indian voters with a meeting organised by the Selangor Indian Consultative Council (SICC) at the Midlands Convention Centre in Shah Alam today signifies the unity pact’s appreciation of the Indian voters, say analysts.

Dr Azmi Hassan, a senior fellow at Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research said it was unlikely that the Indians – or the Chinese, for that matter – would vote for Perikatan.

Most MIC and MCA core supporters, he said, have already migrated to Pakatan, and this was apparent in the 2018 general elections.

“It is true that of the 76 state seats in Selangor, Penang and Negri Sembilan, none have an Indian majority, except Sentosa, which has 40% Indians.”

Universiti Sains Malaysia’s political science expert Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said Indian voters could become kingmakers if the Malay votes are fragmented and there is a low Chinese turnout.

“The Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) has shown his concern about the dissent among Indian leaders. As such, we may see more Indian representation post state elections,” he said.

Political analyst Datuk Anbumani Balan said the meeting today was a good start to gather various stakeholders under one roof.

“We need this to achieve unity among the Indian community, but there should be consistency and not just for the election period. This is a crucial test,” he said, adding that the community needed high-calibre leaders, not just those with vested interests.

Over the years, he said that the community lacked political will and empowerment, and had chosen to stick with Pakatan under Anwar’s leadership.

“They believe Anwar is the only and last hope to bring about change. They see him as a leader who can not only transform but also reform the Indian community’s future,” he said.

Despite his assurance, the Indian rumblings against the government are clear to see.

On July 28, some 50 MIC members pledged to support Perikatan in the Aug 12 state elections.

The move came after MIC central working committee (CWC) member Parthiban Karuppiah claimed the party had been unfairly treated by the Barisan and Pakatan coalitions.

Anwar and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Barisan’s chairman, then met with MIC leaders, with party leaders saying it was at a crossroads.

Anwar said he would look into MIC’s request for greater representation.