Najib trying to win Indians over -- clan by clan

By JK Jayan - Free Malaysia today

COMMENT Realising the importance of marginal Indian votes which decide the fate of many parliamentary and state seats, Najib Tun Razak, since becoming prime minister, has embarked on a mission to directly approach the community in a systematic and calculated manner which seems to be producing the desired results.

He first visited the Batu Caves temple and followed up with another visit there during Thaipusam, hailed as the first by a Malaysian prime minister after a gap of almost 30 years.

His next target was the Indian business community. He made a grant of RM2 million to the Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI) for training Indian businessmen when he attended one of its functions.

The Sri Murugan Centre, which had become an important vehicle to propel the Indian community on the educational front, was his next target and he donated RM1 million for its activities after attending its anniversary celebration.

On the political front, he cunningly took the powerful and popular “Makkal Sakthi” slogan away from Pakatan Rakyat by directly supporting the formation of the Makkal Sakthi party by RS Thanenthran, a former stalwart of Hindraf. Najib even attended the inauguration ceremony of the party.

Riding on clannish sentiments

Understanding the strong clannish sentiments within the Indian community in Malaysia which prevails even today, Najib lately has been going around to each and every clan-based Indian organisation, listening to their grouses and wishes and providing them with handouts for their activities.

He attended a function organised by the Sikh community in 2009, telling them that his government stood for all communities, all races and all religions and that he was there to recognise the contribution of the Sikh community in the development of Malaysia, and naturally won the hearts of those present. He also made a substantial amount in grant for the association’s activities.

On Sept 19 this year, he attended a lunch gathering with the Malayalee community organised by the All Malaysia Malayalees Association, again promising them with land and financial aid for their activities. It is estimated that about 7,000 people attended the function.

On Oct 8, Najib turned his sights on the Telugu community by attending their international conference and again promising them to fulfil their requests. He also extended financial support for their activities. A 10,000-strong crowd cheered and supported him. He did not miss the golden opportunity and delivered a powerful and inspiring speech, saying that he thanked the contributions of the Telugu community and advised them to approach him directly to solve their problems.

Such moves by Najib seem to have produced the desired results. Now, these powerful Indian clan associations and their leaders had become frontline flag-carriers for Barisan Nasional and were expected to play a key role during the next general election by carrying the message of what had been done by the BN government for their respective clan movements.

Because these functions presided by Najib were attended by ordinary people from the Indian community, they were thrilled with the presence of the prime minister himself which had never happened in the past. Najib’s simple and direct-to-you approach had won the hearts of many Indians involved in these clan associations.

MIC weakened in the process

This approach, however, had weakened MIC, which until 2008 was seen as the sole political party within BN representing the interests of the Indian community.

Before Najib, any Indian NGO and clan association wishing to approach the country’s prime minister had to do so through MIC, a party dominated by the Tamils. Although every clan was well represented in MIC, the key positions were always held by Tamils.

One MIC source said that some senior leaders in MIC were worried about the latest developments because the power and influence wielded by MIC had now been snatched away by the BN leadership. At the next general election, it would be difficult for MIC leaders to trumpet that they were the sole defenders and representatives of the Indian community in BN.

“What Najib should be doing is to politically strengthen the Indian-based political parties such as MIC and PPP rather than strengthening the Indian NGOs and clan-based associations. It may not produce the desired results.

“They may not be able to deliver the crucial Indian votes because members of these Indian organisations also come from other opposition parties such as DAP and PKR. They gather only because of clan sentiments. When it comes to political decisions, they may vote differently” said a MIC leader.

“There is also the thinking -- ‘let’s demand and get whatever we want’ -- because until the general election, BN will do everything to get the much-needed Indian votes” he added.

However, not all in MIC felt the same way.

“Let’s face it. MIC and PPP have lost the support of the Indian community as evidenced by the results of the 2008 election. By taking the direct approach, Najib has revived the fortunes of these parties and laid the foundation for these parties to work on the Indian votes.

“It is for MIC now to put in more effort to follow up on what Najib is doing or already done. At the end of the day if the Indian support towards BN increases, the beneficiary will be MIC and they should be thanking Najib for that,” said an MIC divisional leader.

One political analyst summarised the situation succinctly.

“It is true that some Indian votes will shift from Pakatan Rakyat to BN because of Najib’s approach. However, whether it will be significant to win back the seats lost by BN in the last general election is something else.

“When Malaysians, irrespective of their racial background, go to the ballot boxes at the next general election what will be foremost in their minds is whether they want BN back again or a change of government. That is what will determine the fate of BN and not Najib’s direct approach or the government aids granted to NGOs and associations,” he told FMT.

JK Jayan is a veteran political observer.