I read a newspaper report recently which said that the Indians in Batu Talam will have 'no problem' in supporting BN for the coming by-election there. Let's not concoct a fairy tale.

I will give 10 good reasons why the Indians in Batu Talam should deny BN their votes.

After 50 years of independence under BN:

Indian schools are still not fully-aided by government.

The national equity share of Indians is at a standstill at 1.3% resulting in their very poor bargaining power.

No proper aid is given to the majority of Indians migrating from estates to towns.

There are no efforts by the government to control the consumption and sale of illegal samsu which is destroying the rural Indian communities.

Indian representation in the cabinet has dropped. They have also lost all credibility.

Pro-Indian political parties like PPP, MIC and IPF are badly fragmented.

BN leaders have done little to unite Indians under one roof. There are still there are caste-based associations where government leaders are the patrons.

Indians representation in the civil service has plunged. Indian civil servants holding key posts can no longer be found.

Under the BN, Indians are no longer the third-largest racial groups in the country. We are now a minority group and soon we will be eclipsed by the Indonesians.

Opportunities in private sectors favour more the Chinese and Malays; Indians are discriminated against.

To all the Indians in Batu Talam who make up 5.6 % of the electorate, send your protest loud and clear. Stay home on polling day and watch Astro Vanavil.