Samy Velu,MIC and the Indian dilemma

Will his exit solve Indian woes?

The most hotly contested Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) elections saw the return of the president’s men at the helm of the party. Despite the growing demands for change from Malaysian Indians, including MIC members on the ground, the 1400 over delegates saw it fit to return the same old team for another 3 years. They seemed to be oblivious to the sentiments of the people they represent. The MIC president himself, Datuk Seri S. Samy Velu, was returned unopposed in a rather controversial manner that typifies his style of authoritarian leadership of the party for 3 decades. It does not augur well for the party that practices democracy.

Now that the old team is back at the helm, what is next for the Indians who form about 8% of the population? The plight of Indians has been at the forefront since the Hindraf rally in 2007 which saw thousands of them pouring onto the streets to highlight their anger and frustration over the government’s inaction to the plight. In the subsequent general elections of March 2008, the Indian candidates in MIC fared badly losing most of their seats. Even their president of 30 years suffered a humiliating defeat in his own constituency.

The Indian voters have for the first time in the history shifted their support from the MIC and Barisan Nasional(BN) to the Opposition parties. Even the once considered Islamic extremists PAS was more appealing to them than Umno , MIC and BN. Why this sudden change of loyalty?

Umno blames Samy Velu for the losses of MIC and the BN and wants him to step down as its president. Its former president, Tun Dr.Mahathir Mohamad, has called him a liability to BN which Samy strongly denies and in turn blames Umno for failing to honor its commitment to the Indians. For once we tend to agree with Samy ; he may be a cause of the rot in MIC but is not the sole cause of the BN defeat in the 12GE.
It was an overbearing and arrogantly dominant Umno that has caused the drastic erosion of support for not only the MIC but the MCA, Gerakan and other non-Malay parties. It was the Umno-dictated lopsided BN policies that led to its debacle in the 2008 elections. Unless Umno accepts its shortcomings and take steps to correct itself, its non-Malay partners in the BN are going to perish in the next general elections.

There are widespread calls for Samy Velu to step down as the MIC president. These come from not only Malaysian Indians in general but also by many from his own party. In fact most Malaysians are of the opinion that he has overstayed and he should steps down for the sake of the future of Indians who are already severely divided with the establishment of numerous smaller Indian based parties.

Will Samy’s exit resolve the woes of the Malaysian Indians, the MIC and BN? His dictatorial style of leadership has eliminated all talented Indians who were either expelled, left in cold storage till this day or denied entry into MIC. Absence of a credible opposition within the MIC has led to abuse of power and corruption in the party as a result of which the poor Indians got poorer and the rich richer.

There are serious doubts whether his hand-picked team that he will leave behind can ever rise up to fulfill its role as the protector of the Malaysian Indians. There are signs that Umno-BN may be courting others to replace its long-time ally if Samy continues to be stubborn and recalcitrant. There are already many waiting on the sidelines to rush in to fill the vacuum being that may be created by the MIC.
The Indian population may be small but its share of problems is abundant and complex. Since independence the economic share of the Indians has dwindled progressively due to their losses in the plantation and public sectors where they were predominantly employed.

Today poverty, unemployment, delinquency and crime rate among Indians are the highest in the country. Apart from these other social ills such as alcoholism, illiteracy, broken homes, illegitimate children and stateless youths are also highly prevalent among them. Their deplorable state has resulted in them being looked down by the other races who may consider them as a liability to national development. Even many of the successful Indians are beginning to get frustrated with the helpless mentality of the poorer Indians who have earned a third-class citizen status in the country. Even the immigrant population has little regards for the Malaysian Indians. Their dignity and honor are now at stake.

The blame game for the deplorable state of Indians continues. Samy Velu and his MIC blame the Umno-controlled government for their woes. Well it may be so to a certain extent but a great deal also being contributed by the Indians themselves. They have only look at their fellow Chinese to realize that their situation could have been far better than what it is today.

The biggest factor that has contributed to the deplorable state of Indians is their mindset which makes them think others are obliged to cater for all their needs and perceived rights. They blame everybody else for their failures except themselves; the British colonialist, Malays, Chinese, Umno-BN government, the richer Indians and even the Almighty.They must realize that unless they help themselves no outside force however great can uplift their socio-economic status without their cooperation. Aren’t we taught that even God only helps those who help themselves?

The only way forward for the Indians is to adopt a more positive attitude to life. Instead of ranting and raving about others denying them their rights and not helping them, they must buck up by adopting a more enterprising work ethics. They must discard all obsolete practices and prejudices and be willing to acquire all the latest knowledge and skills in technology and commerce to equip themselves to brace the challenges ahead in the highly competitive world today. They must get their priorities right and be shrewd to grasp all opportunities that come by and not wait for them to be given without any efforts on their part.

It is time for all Malaysians, including Indians, to support a system that will do away with race politics and opt for a one based purely on multiracialism and merit. If we continue with the politics of the past where each community is represented by its own communal party, where the races compete will each other, the minorities will inevitably be marginalized. The Indian community being a minority that comprises a mere 8% of the population and without any economic or political clout does not stand a chance for success as proven over the last 52 years.

Multi-racial political system that has policies drawn up to eradicate poverty and socio-economic deprivation that are color-blind will be the only way all races will obtain maximum benefits. Only under such a system will all citizens be able to unite and prosper as one Malaysian race. That is the ideal situation that we must have and for which we all must strive.

Dr.Chris Anthony