More attention needed on the Indian community, says former PKR leader

The senior lawyer said that PKR, as the dominant party in the national unity government needs to take the lead over Indian matters.

A FORMER PKR leader has urged the party to pay more attention to the plight of the B60 working-class Indians, claiming that community leaders are split and not carrying out their duties effectively.

When the top is disjointed, it will affect the level of support accorded to the needy in the community, said former PKR deputy secretary-general S. Raveentharan. While he applauded the visit of Penang PKR, led by its chairperson Nurul Izzah Anwar to the Little India enclave in George Town, Raveentharan said that more must be done.

“I thank Nurul (Izzah) for coming but a visit to mark the coming Deepavali celebrations is inadequate. Help must be accorded in both good and bad times,” said Raveentharan.

The senior lawyer said that PKR, as the dominant party in the national unity government with its president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the Prime Minister, needs to take the lead over Indian matters.

The other parties are besieged with their own issues, which has impeded them from paying full attention and now there is a third alternative in Urimai – a party founded by former Penang deputy chief minister II Prof P. Ramasamy, he said.

This means the fight for Indian votes is more heated and competitive than ever, said Raveentharan. Already, there were two by-elections where the turnout from Indians in Sungai Bakap and Mahkota was lukewarm, he said.

So, PKR through Nurul Izzah, who is Anwar’s daughter, needs to take cognisance of what is happening to the community.

In Penang, Raveenthan cited the displeasure over how the Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB) is managed, as an example, although he said that it is unfair to blame PHEB chairman RSN Rayer, who just assumed the post.

He urged Nurul Izzah to survey what is troubling the community.

There are at least seven Indian – based parties offering to represent the community.

“It may be the case of too many cooks spoiling the soup but someone needs to take the lead over Indian issues.”

And it must be perpetuated by political parties, not civil societies or academia, as there must be a strong will to find the right tonic to appease the dissatisfaction among the community, said Raveentharan.

Attempts have been made to reach out to Nurul Izzah and the rest of the state PKR leaders over this matter.

– October 20, 2024.