In a letter dated Nov 27, the author has characterised Parti Sosialis Malaysia’s (PSM) position as "mechanistic" and "pathetic" but I beg to differ. We in the PSM do not play to the gallery. Sure, taking a chauvinistic position at this point may help increase our "popularity" amongst Indians but would that help solve the problems of ordinary Indians?

Let me pose a set of crucial questions:

1. Are the problems faced by Indian Malaysians of different classes identical? Would affirmative policies for Indians benefit the different classes equally? Which classes stand to benefit the most?

2. Are all the problems of ordinary Indian workers due to bumiputera policies and racial discrimination? How important is capitalist exploitation as a source of the ordinary Indian worker’s problems?

3. Hindraf identifies the Umno elite as the main "enemy". I would agree to that. If we want to take on this enemy, wouldn't the Malay working class be a potential ally?

These are serious questions. Answers to these will determine our intermediate strategy in developing a campaign to address the grievances highlighted on Nov 25. The fact that Indians have shaken off their apathy and are standing up is a sign of good development. However, misdirected action can sometimes be even worse than inaction! It is now the duty and responsibility of the Indian Malaysian intelligentsia to analyse the situation dispassionately and provide a clear analysis of ways to obtain better treatment.

As to your question on whether the PSM has raised issues of discrimination against Indians in the past, we have been working with marginalised groups, many of them Indians, for the past 16 years. In many of these marginalised communities, we have been able to help people win land, houses or reasonable monetary compensation.