Kuala Kubu Baru : A Litmus Test for Malaysian Indian Support and Political Allegiances Kuala Kubu Baru : A Litmus Test for Malaysian Indian Support and Political Allegiances

  From the Lungitaiment (News & Politic Division-The Free Press) Editorial table

Source :Suara Keadilan 

In the heartland of Kuala Kubu Baru, a small town in Selangor, lies the stage for a political showdown that could potentially redefine the landscape of Malaysian politics. The upcoming by-election in this constituency is poised to serve as a litmus test, not just for the competing political parties, but also for gauging the sentiments and allegiances of the Malaysian Indian community.

Historically, the Malaysian Indian community has been a significant power base for political parties, particularly for Pakatan Harapan (PH) led by Anwar Ibrahim. However, recent waves of dissatisfaction have been palpable within this community, casting shadows of uncertainty over established political affiliations.

One of the primary grievances voiced by many within the Indian community is the perceived neglect and marginalization they have experienced under the PH administration. Despite lending unwavering support to Anwar Ibrahim and PH in the past, there is a growing disillusionment stemming from the absence of adequate representation at the highest echelons of power. The absence of a full minister from the Tamil community, the largest subgroup within the Indian demographic, has been a sore point, indicative of a larger systemic issue of underrepresentation.

The controversial removal of Ramasamy in the last state election by DAP, purportedly to appease Malay sentiments, has left a bitter taste among many Indian voters. The perceived double standard, exemplified by the retention of figures like Nga Kor Ming, known for his polarizing statements, has only served to deepen the disillusionment.

On the flip side, the entry of Perikatan Nasional (PN) into the fray presents an alternative, albeit contentious, option for the Malaysian Indian community. PN's track record of espousing hardline Malay nationalism has raised concerns about their commitment to multiculturalism and inclusivity. The recent incorporation of the Malaysian Indian Peoples Party (MIPP) into their coalition has been met with skepticism, with many fearing a repeat of history akin to the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) under the previous regime.

As the by-election looms large, the Malaysian Indian electorate finds itself at a crossroads, torn between historical allegiances and the pursuit of genuine representation and progress. The outcome of this electoral battle in Kuala Kubu Baru will not only determine the immediate political landscape but will also resonate as a barometer of the evolving socio-political dynamics within Malaysia.

In the quest for a truly inclusive and representative democracy, the Malaysian Indian community stands poised to make a defining statement, echoing far beyond the boundaries of Kuala Kubu Baru. The by-election serves as a poignant reminder to political stakeholders that the voices and aspirations of all communities must be heard and heeded, lest the fabric of unity and harmony be frayed beyond repair.

From the Lungitaiment (News & Politic Division) Editorial table

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அமைச்சராக தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்ட திரு. குலா அவர்களுக்கு வாழ்த்துகள்

அமைச்சராக தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்ட திரு. குலா அவர்களுக்கு வாழ்த்துகள்.

இந்தியர்களுக்குத் தேவை கல்வி மற்றும் வேலை வாய்ப்புகள். அரசாங்கம் மற்றும் அரசாங்க சார்புடையை நிறுவனங்களில் இந்தியர்களுக்கு வேலை வாய்ப்புகளை அதிரிக்க வழி வகை செய்யுங்கள். அடுத்து PPRK வீடுகள் நகர்புற இந்திய ஏழைகளுக்கும் கிடைக்கும் வண்ணம் ஏற்பாடு செய்யுங்கள். சிறிய நடுத்தர தொழில்துறைகளில் இந்தியர் மேம்பாடடைய வழிவகைகளைக் காணுங்கள். ‘செடிக்’ வழி கொடுக்கப்படும் மாநியங்களை மறுசீரமைக்கப் பாருங்கள். அவற்றைப் பெறுவோர் மக்களுக்கு எவ்வகையில் நேரடிப் பயனைச் சேர்க்க முடியும் என்பதனைக் காணுங்கள்.

தொழிளாலர் துறை அமைச்சில் உள்ளதால் இன்னும் தோட்டங்களில் வாழும் மக்களுக்கு அத்தோட்ட நிறுவங்கள் குறைந்த விலையில் வீடுகளைக் கட்டிக் கொடுத்து விற்கும் திட்டத்தை துரிதப்படுத்துங்கள்.

இவ்வாறு செய்வதை அவ்வப்போது பட்டியலிட்டு இந்தியர்களுக்கு பொது ஊடகங்களின் வழி தெரியப்படுத்துங்கள். அரசியல் விளம்பரம் இங்கே அவசியமாகின்றது. இல்லையேல் தங்கள் அரசாங்கம் இந்தியர்களுக்கு என்ன செய்தது என்று தெரியாது போகும்.

மாமன் மச்சான் என்று ஒட்டிக் கொண்டு வருபவர்களிடமிருந்து சற்றே ஒதுங்கி நில்லுங்கள். இல்லையேல் தாங்கள் வேண்டாத பிரச்சனைகளில் சிக்கிக் கொள்ள நேரிடும்.

–தேனீ

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Malaysia need more women in politics

Syahredzan Johan 


SOME say that we are more likely to see a non-Malay/Muslim Prime Minister than a female Prime Minister. 

Legally, there is nothing in the Federal Constitution that restricts the gender of the Prime Minister. In fact, Article 8 of the Federal Constitution guarantees equality and non-discrimination.

Compared to some other countries, the status of women in our country is arguably better. Women have reasonable access to education, for example. They are given opportunities in employment, although not as many or as favourable as men. We do not have the same degree of sexual discrimination as places such as Saudi Arabia, for example. The women of Malaysia, unlike in India, do not face the same 'subculture of oppression' (as described by a committee set up by the government of India to investigate sexual violence in the country), at least not to the same magnitude.

But the reality is that women do face discrimination in Malaysia. Maybe not overtly or codified in our laws, but certainly through a plethora of hidden and subtle forms of gender discrimination.

The root of the problem is our attitude towards women. We only accept women of a certain mould because to us, this is how a woman should be. We view women who are opinionated, assertive or 'strong', negatively. We think that women are incapable of shouldering certain responsibilities, usually connected with top leadership positions.

This patriarchal attitude is most obvious in our political culture. Politicians usually have to take up some form of leadership role. Our patriarchal mindset when it comes to leadership means female politicians have a tougher time than male ones. Female politicians are relegated to specific portfolios, which are usually seen as ‘lightweight’ ones, or those relating to women, children or family. Anything more would be unthinkable because to us, women are just not capable of being at the top of the leadership hierarchy.

It is fine for women to be ministers or excos; but only a man gets to be the prime minister, chief minister or mentri besar. The irrational objection that certain quarters had to a female mentri besar in last year's political crisis in Selangor is the perfect example of this.

On top of this, female politicians in Malaysia are expected to conform to certain established 'sensibilities'. They are expected to speak, dress and act a certain way. They are expected to only champion certain causes. Their public lives are under greater scrutiny than male politicians. We are generally less forgiving of the transgressions of female politicians compared to their male counterparts. A male politician caught in a scandal is far more likely to survive than a female politician in the same position.

The culprits are not only the men, unfortunately. When Dyana Sofya, the young DAP politician uploaded a photo on her instagram account as part of the 'Wake Up for a Good Cause' campaign to raise funds for an organisation helping abused women, a female leader from another party was alleged to have accused Dyana of 'exploiting her body'.

This politician was reported to have said that young women should not 'pose like that' to attract attention, when in actual fact there is nothing inappropriate or indecent about the photo. Some female politicians themselves perpetuate this patriarchal mindset when instead they should stick up for each other.

Yes, most major political parties here in Malaysia have a dedicated women's wing. Presumably, the formation of a women's wing was to encourage the participation of women in politics. But the existence of women's wings in politics has resulted in limiting the opportunities of women in these political parties.

The political pinnacle for a woman leader in a political party is realistically the position of the head of the women's wing, as the chances of a woman succeeding outside of the wing and within the main leadership hierarchy of the party are slim.

In spite of these challenges, a lot of women have succeeded in politics. Women such as the late Tan Sri Aishah Ghani, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz and younger politicians such as Nurul Izzah Anwar and Hannah Yeoh have managed to carve a name for themselves at the highest level of politics, a realm usually dominated by men.

These women are role models for other female politicians and women in general.

But one Nurul Izzah here and one Hannah Yeoh there is not enough. We need to have more women in more meaningful roles in politics. To help achieve this, we need to discard our old mindset and attitudes toward women in politics. We need to start seeing the participation of women in politics beyond mere tokenism and to accept the fact that women are as capable of political leadership as their male counterparts.

At the same time, there must be bi-partisan cooperation of both sides of the political divide to change the patriarchy in politics. They can start by not attacking each other on trivial issues that actually perpetuate patriarchy. 

Only then, can we truly entertain the possibility of a female Prime Minister, Menteri Besar or Chief Minister. Happy International Women's Day!

> The views expressed are entirely the writer’s own.
Source :Star Online

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