Had political parties PKR, DAP and PAS practised genuine multi-racialism by having sincerely championed at least some of the most serious issues concerning Indian Malaysians, controversy would not have arisen over the failure to name an Indian opposition candidate for the Ijok by-election.

We would have preferred Dr Nasir Hashim of PSM who has done genuine grassroots work for all including Indian squatters and plantation workers instead of 'corporate figure' KS Nalakaruppan (who was initially being considered by PKR).

The fact remains that, in the post-1998 era, PKR, DAP and PAS have not done too much for the Indian community, except for issuing rare statements and making token representations in the face of an avalanche of socio-economic problems.