Are the Indians Revolting?

Are the Indians revolting?

In light of what happened on November 25, 2007 with the Hindraf Rally, for all reincarnations of that question and all those who ask that question, the answer is yes and no!

As Hindraf leaders start their global tour to tell and shame, Malaysian politicians from all sides of the divide are piling on against each other to score points while others crack jokes about the rally and sub-segments of the Indian diaspora in Malaysia, eg.

# Ceylonese have formed CINDRAF demanding the government on the following: reduce coconut price - soothy is very costly; reduce hair cut price - most of the mamas and machans are bald; most of them go to Court Hill Pilliyar Temple, they demand to join the Mariamman Temple board (to become Vasul Raja like Datuk Natarajah). Please support them and pass this message to all makkals.

# Malayalees have formed MINDEF, demanding that aviyils and kottus are made cheaper, otherwise they will fuck up the Gulf.

# Punjabis are considering to form PUNDRAF, demanding for higher price for milk, higher interest rates for the money-lending business, higher wages for security services while asking for subsidies for ghee and atta flour imported from Australia. Please support them and pass this message to all sardajis.

You get the idea!

But pointing fingers and making demands is not the answer. The answer is to solve the ills that the Indian community (read Tamils) who are in the lower classes of society who have been represented by the MIC but to no avail.

In fact, one can say that the MIC has been an impediment to their community's progress in Malaysia unlike the other communities. Having said that, the community has its share of professionals and thinkers - a case of too many chiefs and too few Indians.

Lest we are accused of racism, the fact is that there are several political parties to represent seven percent of 26 million people. We count at least four that have Indians as their main ethnic composition apart from a few other multi-racial political parties.

So their cause remains fractured but the other sub-segments of the Indian diaspora unable to find a voice in MIC or the other parties are doing pretty well, in spite the New/National Economic Policy.

Be that as it may, we think the first step is going beyond Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's big ears and getting him as leader of the government of the day - to go to the ground and listen to their grouses.

Fact is, the Indians do not form any majority in any parliamentary or state constituencies but they can just almost make a difference as seen in the Ijok by-election.

But they are Malaysians and are equal before law and eligible for aid and support under the New Economic Policy.

What could help? A smart person who can weigh the issues and come up with solutions.

A man called Razak, actually!.

In the aftermath of the May 13th riots in 1969, Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman had his deputy Abdul Razak Hussein to handle matters, giving birth to the New Economic Policy.

Now Abdul Razak's son, Najib, is deputy prime minister and could possibly be the Razak to Abdullah. However, Najib is no Razak but has had a Razak at his disposal.

The real Razak required is none other than Abdul Razak Baginda - a clever fellow who is now facing a murder conspiracy charge. In all the years he has served Najib, Razak has been the man who could see the heart of the problem and offer solutions.

But he is not available. And the government of the day will have to figure out something.

The Siber Party of Malaysia (M) would just say the simplest thing to do is to listen. Whether with MIC leader S. Samy Vellu around or without him. Listen to the grouses, explain what has been done and what can be done.

The last thing we need is threats and counter-threats. It won't solve the problems of the Indian community and the poor in other communities.

We are all Malaysians and this is a Malaysian problem. Not just one race or one faith. For that would indeed be revolting.