Indian M'sians are nobody's 'fixed deposit'

ADUN SPEAKS We live in interesting and monumental times. Not a day goes by without some prediction on the outcome of the 13th general election.
As widely acknowledged, premier Najib Abdul Rahman has lost much ground with his dithering and flip-flop actions. He had started out in 2009 with great promise and bravado, telling his audience of the BN’s determination to reverse the losses of 2008.

He would be extremely happy if he scrapes through with a win if elections are called now.

In his desperation, Najib has ‘bought’ every vote he can garner. Some of his latest antics border on the ridiculous.

Beating drums, speaking in Mandarin on radio and wearing a red traditional Chinese costume to convey Chinese New Year greetings, as well as wearning the traditional Indian jippa and exhorting Indian Malaysian voters to have nambikei (trust) in him are most recent examples.

If only someone would give him a good knock on his head and remind him of his job specs as prime minister!

It is not his job to generate ‘likes’ by shaking hands and handing out goodies, as if he were Santa Claus.

At the top of his priorities should be to ensure that the country is managed efficiently, so that citizens enjoy a rising standard of living and in a safe, just and secure environment.

But I digress.

The BN believes that the Indian vote is there for the taking. This was true in the past, particularly, pre-2008. However, the present is a different story. The Indian electorate has wised up.

Despite the claims by MIC, IPF and the PPP that the Indian vote is showing strong signs of returning to the BN fold, it is increasingly clear that the community is weary and feels let down by these parties.

Take, for example, the recent outburst by Vel Paari, MIC strategy director and son of former party president S Samy Vellu, that the MIC is just too intimidated by Umno to speak up for the community.

This is a more accurate description of the pathetic state of the BN parties claiming to represent Indian Malaysians.
Fallacy packaged as strategy

So, why the deception that Indian Malaysians have returned to the BN fold?

It is a fallacy packaged as a strategy to create a herd mentality in BN’s favour. Such a move is also aimed at undecided voters that their lot is better served if they vote for the eventual winner.

It also attempts to convince the ‘not so well informed ones’ that Najib must be doing a good job for so many Indian Malaysians to view BN favourably. It would be the case of a self-fulfilled prophecy.

Personally, I have faith in Indian Malaysian  voters - that they will exercise their vote judiciously in GE13. 
Those who I meet regularly say that they can see the dramatic change that has been wrought by the Pakatan Rakyat-led governments in Penang and Selangor.

They are no longer easily fooled. They want to be convinced that election pledges have a realistic chance of being implemented.

Mere slogans and acronyms that are hardly matched by realities on the ground are being viewed with scorn and derision and, I believe, will be ultimately rejected by the rakyat.

Najib must be told that Indian Malaysians will not support BN based on sweet promises and pledges.

They must see real and meaningful changes that can undo the wrongs of the past and bring genuine prosperity, opportunities and quality into their lives.

---

M MANOHARAN is the DAP’s Kota Alam Shah assemblyperson.