Focus on problems faced by the living, critics incinerate Zahid

MAHKOTA BY-ELECTION | Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi should not belittle the Indian community by reducing their concerns to a lack of crematoriums, said former Penang deputy chief minister P Ramasamy.

“He and other Umno leaders should focus on addressing the problems faced by the living, particularly the youth,” added the leader of the Indian-based party United for the Rights of Malaysians Party (Urimai).

Ramasamy said while Indians, who make up about eight percent of the electorate in the Mahkota state seat in Johor, do indeed need crematoriums, there are far more pressing needs that have been ignored.

“For instance, a Hindu temple located on Malay reserve land requires relocation. Another temple, which was demolished due to internal conflicts within the MIC, has yet to receive an alternate site. The idols from this demolished temple are stored in a nearby shop lot.

“The immediate need for the Indian community is not just crematoriums, but proper spaces to perform last rites for the deceased. Despite repeated requests, the local MIC leadership has failed to allocate a site near a river for these rituals.

“In addition, land was allocated for the construction of a Tamil school years ago, but to this day, no progress has been made on building it. This is just one example of how Indians in Kluang and elsewhere are grappling with basic issues even after 67 years of political independence,” he told Malaysiakini.

Earlier today, Malaysiakini reported that Zahid, who is also BN chairperson, promised to build more crematoriums for the Indian community in Johor.

Ramasamy also described MIC president SA Vigneswaran's claim that more than 80 percent of Indians in the Mahkota constituency would support the Umno candidate as “wishful thinking”.

“Vigneswaran has not been fully briefed on the socio-economic challenges faced by the Indian community in the area. Our two-day visit to Kluang and Mahkota made it clear that the BN has neglected Indians for decades. Constructing crematoriums will not address the community’s fundamental issues overnight.

“If these basic problems remain unresolved, how can the government expect to tackle larger issues such as youth unemployment, business licences, and commercial opportunities? It’s no surprise that many Indian youths are seeking employment in Singapore and beyond,” he added.

MIPP: ‘Desperate attempt’ to win votes

Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP) information chief Suthan Mookaiah called Zahid’s promise a “desperate attempt to win votes, dusted from a long list of broken promises.”

“What happened to the houses for KKB (Kuala Kubu Baharu) estate residents? Anything moved? What happened to the Sg Bakap Tamil school? Is the budget approved and building resumed?” he asked in reference to past pledges.

“Where were these BN and MIC politicians when Kluang families struggled for decades with inadequate crematorium and ash-throwing facilities in their time of grief?

“What has even PMX (Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim) delivered to the Indian community up to now?” added the Perikatan Nasional leader.

Suthan also commented on Johor MIC information chief Subramaniam Balakrishnan’s recent statement that the Indian community must “look away” from traditional issues such as Tamil schools and temples in the by-election.

“Underfunded, inadequate and much forgotten by the government, Tamil schools are not just sentimental attachment to tradition, but they represent the very lifeline for generations of Indian Malaysians who have been marginalised and underserved.

“‘To look away’ is to overlook the struggles our children face. ‘To look away’ is to let our children languish in substandard conditions. ‘To look away’ is to dismiss the hope of many,” he said.

‘Not simple needs’

Suthan chastised these politicians for being disconnected from their community’s needs, calling Subramaniam’s comment not only ignorant but a betrayal of the very people he claims to stand for.

“I challenge these leaders to walk through the abandoned Tamil school building grounds in Sungai Bakap, walk through the container school in Ladang Jeram, walk with a family in grief as they dispose of ashes in Kluang and endure the conditions firsthand, and then explain why they think our Indians issues don’t matter (at other times).

“Our needs are beyond simple temples, schools and crematoriums. We don’t need seasonal politicians who come and go who give us ‘a gift or two’ and a chicken and mutton kenduri (feast) during by-elections for a vote,” he added.

Suthan pointed out that the community needs economic opportunities and access to a better life.

“We Indians need leaders who speak for us, who fight for our future, and not one who turns a blind eye to our past heritage, present needs and future generation just to kowtow to his political masters.

“I urge all Indians to send a clear message: Our dignity, future, and community are not just bargaining chips for these politicians’ political survival. Vote for PN to teach these political opportunists a lesson,” he added.

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