We had Maria Chin Abdullah detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) for organising Bersih 5 - the objective was to spread awareness on the importance of a clean voting system.

Maria is a Malaysian citizen and has all rights and freedom to speak and express her opinions as long as it does not provoke sensitive issues that touch on defamation, religion and threaten national security. She was detained for 28 days.

Zakir Naik has toured around this country allegedly defaming and insulting the Hindu religion, causing millions of Indian Malaysians in this country to rage with anger and object to his lectures. Written complaints were lodged and street demonstrations were made to make our point clear to the federal government, and yet no action was taken against him.

While glorifying Islam, he allegedly insulted other religions particularly the Hindu religion and his act was not and probably will never be seen as provoking sensitive issues, no Sosma, too, because, apparently, putting down the third largest religion in this country is not a big crime, not at all; spreading awareness is.

And then there was an announcement made by Zakir Naik inviting foreign investigators to come and question him here, in our home country as he is afraid to face them in their country. A peculiar request by a foreigner who has been charged with terrorism, this is the first in Malaysian history and I am not sure how this not been seen as a possible threat to national security.

As I stood confused on how it is possible for such a platform to be available for a foreigner and how he is allowed to put all of us at risk by inviting international interrogation on him under such charges to be done here, I was enlightened by the fact that our beloved Dr Zakir Naik has actually been a Malaysian permanent resident (PR) for the past five years.

This declaration has led many political leaders to question on how the PR status was awarded and to demand proof in the form of documentation that has qualified him for this status.

I am somehow or rather, not bothered at all about his qualifications; I know it is all possible.

I am disgusted to think that it is so much easier for someone to gain PR status in this country than for someone who has lived here for generations to be awarded citizenship? There are so many stateless Indian Malaysians and aborigines in this country; are they not as important as Zakir Naik to you, dear leaders?

Please don’t get me wrong, I know for a fact that PR status and citizenship are two different awards and carry a whole lots of difference in their perks but let me just raise this question; “You have awarded masses of my stateless Indians who have contributed towards the nation-building and economic progress with the same Malaysian PR status that has been bestowed upon a man who has done nothing but to provoke sensitive religious issues in this country, whose presence is objected to wholly by the third largest population in this country and who is banned by several countries out there for suspicion of terrorist elements in his movement - what is your point exactly?”

I think the only clear message that we can derive from this situation is - we, don’t matter to you any more. Because we are already only the third largest population (which Bangladeshis and Myanmars will overtake soon) and a very large number of us being stateless or holding just a PR status means we do not carry a significant number of voters. Is that why it doesn’t matter to you?

And what is this guy doing right now is practicing his rights and freedom of speech by hinting to the government to summon Hindraf for going against Abdul Hadi Awang’s private member’s bill.

Already there is tension here due to this subject and parties involved are trying to solve the issue amicably. We are a multiracial country with very diversified religious and political views, we support and argue with each other, we raise our voices and express our opinions in the limitations set by our constitutions, but at the end of the day, we remain as Malaysians first - who are you to interfere?

Doesn’t Sosma apply to PR holder?

Zakir Naik is a threat to both the brotherhood that we share and our national security. Where is Sosma now, doesn’t it apply to a PR holder?

If Zakir Naik can be awarded with PR and given protection here amidst being wanted by the judiciary bodies of other countries; why are my people still being discriminated and are still remaining with the same PR status? Grant an exemption and reward all of them who have been here for more than a decade with citizenship - it’s possible if you are a considerate leader.

And of course, then we will have to review a lot of elements in the legislation that will draw down to a ‘no’ from the authorities, yes, yes, we get it. Sigh.

I have written countless times on strategies to increase the number of taxpayers and voters among Indian Malaysians to add more value and volume to our demands and requests in Parliament. When we are not strong in numbers and leaders, our voice is irrelevant in the national agenda. Unlike all my other articles, in this, I will not discuss about MIC’s relevance to the Indians in this country any more, I have literally given up.

This is for the prime minister of this country, Najib Abdul Razak - these are truly upsetting moments in Malaysia, we feel offended and neglected and if this is how things will remain in Malaysia for the upcoming years; you will lose our votes forever. If Satu Malaysia is truly what you are trying to achieve, then walk the talk and don’t play with our sentiments.

Actions always speak louder than words - we are watching.

S GOPINATH is president of the Malaysian Indian Network of Entrepreneurs Association (1MINE).