Why not Indian CM in Penang, MIPP leader asks

Summary

• The Malaysian Indian People’s Party says ethnic Indians have a right to lead Penang and questions why an Indian has never been appointed as chief minister.

• Its information chief Suthan Mookaiah highlights that Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh, despite receiving the highest votes in the Penang DAP election, was appointed as deputy chief and not given the opportunity to be chief minister.

• MIPP's demand to lead Penang is seen as an attempt to break barriers and allow talented Indians to be considered as chief minister candidates.

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The Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP) has reaffirmed the party’s stand to lead Perikatan Nasional’s Penang chapter and raised a bigger question on the chief minister’s position.

MIPP information chief Suthan Mookaiah said Indians also have a right to lead Penang.

“Today, as MIPP pushes to lead PN in Penang, we ask a simple but powerful question - why not an Indian chief minister?

“Why is it that although Indians are an important part of Malaysia’s social, economic and political structure, we are still deemed unqualified to lead at the highest level?” Suthan (above) asked in a statement today.

Yesterday, Gerakan president Dominic Lau reportedly dismissed suggestions for MIPP to lead PN in Penang, citing his own party’s 39-year tenure as chief minister from 1969 to 2008.

In a rebuttal, MIPP president P Punithan said his party does not discount Gerakan's history in Penang, but a more viable strategy would be to woo Malay and Indian voters while not ruling out Chinese support.

"We are not downgrading Gerakan or underestimating Gerakan leadership but (with) the present situation (it) is not possible for Gerakan to win Penang due to strong Chinese backing (for) DAP.

"I hope Gerakan understands this and is open for discussion. I'm not forcing Gerakan to hand over, it is a mere possible strategy. Let’s discuss and find an amicable solution to win," he was reported as saying.

In the 2023 state polls, Gerakan - through PN - fielded 19 candidates who all lost against BN or Pakatan Harapan.

DAP and Ramkarpal’s case

On that note, Suthan cited the case of Penang DAP polls last year, where Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh received the highest number of votes from party delegates.

However, Ramkarpal was only appointed Penang DAP deputy chief.

“He was denied the opportunity to lead the state and to be chief minister. The reason? It’s an ‘open secret’.

“This suppression must stop irrespective of political parties,” Suthan stressed.

Breaking barriers

Commenting further, Suthan said MIPP’s demand to lead Penang is not just about presenting strategic political positioning to win a state.

“It is about breaking long-standing barriers, once and for all, for our entire community.

“If we are good enough to be partners, to be strategists and even kingmakers, then why not talented Indians be seen as chief minister candidates?

“We call on all PN allies and the people of Penang to stand with us,” he said.

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