DAP is wondering if MIC deputy chief S Subramaniam was "daydreaming" when he said the party was targeting about 3,000 Indian voters in the Permatang Pauh by-election.

 

DAP deputy secretary-general P Ramasamy questioned how MIC obtained this figure, holding that the Indians were "solidly" behind the Penang state government.

 

He claimed the percentage of Indian support for DAP in the 2008 national polls was 85 percent and in 2013, it was over 90 percent for Pakatan.

 

"He must be trying to please the BN or Umno. The MIC has failed the Indians miserably and will continue to do so until its death," Ramasamy told Malaysiakini .

 

Ramasamy was responding to a Bernama article which quoted Subramaniam ( left ) saying the party is targeting over 3,000 Indian voters in Permatang Pauh at the very least.

 

Subramaniam had said that MIC has 4,830 Indian voters in Permatang Pauh.

 

The Segamat MP claimed that MIC has 23 branches and 500 party members were already in action to garner votes.

 

Palanivel confident

Bernama also quoted MIC president G Palanivel saying the party is confident of getting enough votes to push BN to victory.

 

However Ramasamy does not believe this. He said in the last seven years, the Penang government and the DAP had addressed many issues related to the Indian community.

 

"We have the most number of temples here in Penang and none have been demolished," Ramasamy claimed.

 

"We have also more Indians in the state bureaucracy, as the number of Indians working with state government and its agencies were very low.

 

"Now we are working on measures to increase the number of Indians in the local councils."

 

Ramasamy said the state is also trying to ensure that Indians do well in business. In addition, since 2010, it has been providing financial grants to needy students.

 

He said the amount of the grants have been increased from RM110,000 to about RM700,000.

 

"With all these, on what basis did MIC leaders come up with such a preposterous figure that 3,000  are with them?" he asked.

 

"Walk your talk and don't just talk your walk to please your Umno bosses," he commented.