LETTER | Why the multiracial parties are now restless about Urimai

LETTER | We introduced our political movement on Sunday. We are registering it as a political party, known as Urimai. Urimai means “rights” in Tamil.

When we announced the formation of our party, we made it clear that the major multiracial parties in Malaysia are nothing but a farce.

The so-called multiracial parties are systematically ignoring the concerns of the Indians in this country and consider leaders speaking up for it to be a “threat” to their road to Putrajaya.

This was prevalent on many occasions. Hence, we resolved to form Urimai to stand up for the marginalised community. We want to become a force for the voiceless people in Malaysia.

Less than 24 hours after our announcement, DAP’s Jelutong MP RSN Rayer was frantically shouting in Parliament that “Indians don’t need a new party”.

His antics are not surprising as the MP is known for his loud mouth in the August House. But what is surprising is why he needs to make a fuss about the new party in Parliament.

Instead of worrying about Urimai, he should be worrying about his party. Or he was instructed to shout so in Parliament? Is the backbencher sending a message to the home minister that Urimai should not be granted registration?

If the Jelutong MP and his party leadership are not worried about the emergence of Urimai, then they should just ignore us and should not resort to underhanded tactics to stop our registration.

Instead of barking in Parliament that “no need for a new party”, he should be trying to do something for the Indians in Penang, or at the very least in his constituency.

An MP who thinks he won not because of Indian voters, of course, wouldn’t want to see Indians being empowered politically.

I have a question for this MP. What has he done for the Indians in his capacity as an MP or Penang Hindu Endowment Board (HEB) chairperson since he was appointed to the post?

His first achievement was the sacking of three Indian staff members, which left the HEB understaffed. So much for an Indian MP saying there is no need for new a party for Indians.

With Indian leaders like him, we necessarily need a party to protect the Indians’ rights in Malaysia.

The worthwhile thing for Rayer to do is to step down as HEB chairperson as he has shown that he is not fit for the job. He’s only fit for shouting matches in legislative bodies. 

Why Urimai?

We are forming Urimai to champion the issues affecting the Indian community in Malaysia, one of the marginalised groups in the country.

Despite our full support for the Harapan coalition, we were not treated with respect Some supporters of the farcical multiracial parties will jump and question “Why you didn’t raise it when you were in power?”

How do they know we didn’t raise it? We have raised the issue numerous times, to the extent that some party leaders viewed us as a “nuisance” in their attempts to win Malay votes.

In 2008, these multiracial parties needed Indian support to win power at the states. After the 2018 general election, especially after tasting federal power for a short stint, these party leaders wanted to “silence” those who spoke about the rights of non-Malays, especially Indians, as they see it as a “turn-off” for Malay voters.

Before 2008, they needed Indian votes; after 2018, they needed Malay votes. Hence, they have decided to pursue the majority’s votes at the expense of Indian voters.

They kept “good Indians” around them and sidelined the vocal ones. Who are the good Indians here? Those who are loyal to the party leader and act according to the leader’s wishes and whims. Their role is not to question or raise any issues related to the community but to serve their emperor.

These farcical multiracial parties have concluded that the Indians in Malaysia are not equal partners but just passengers on their boats.

Some of these parties’ supporters are also calling us “sour grapes” on the internet, trying to portray us as a disgruntled bunch.

If we are just disgruntled, we don’t need to set up a party with an agenda; we could join one of the existing opposition parties and continue on our political journey. But, our mission is not to be one of those parties; we are resolved to show Indians’ electoral worth to those multiracial parties in this country.

If the naysayers think we are just another Indian party around the block, just wait. 

We have a direction

To the naysayers, especially to the supporters of a certain multiracial that has become a party of choice for one community, just wait and see.

Unlike the parties whose objective is to sit in Putrajaya, we have a direction. To champion the oppressed and marginalised community.

We are numerically small, economically tiny, but we have a strong will to succeed. That’s how our children are excelling in education despite the many roadblocks in the system.

With the same resolve and will, we shall prove our electoral worth. Till then, the naysayers can make fun of us, laugh at us, but when you fight us eventually, you’ll know who are we.

As our interim chairperson said, “let history judge us”!

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.