-Dr.S. Ramakrishnan, February 10, 2013.

The prime minister  Najib Tun Razak pleaded to Indian community to support BN in the coming 13th general elections. He announced that he will ensure that the Indian community will enjoy a better future, just like the other communities in the country. The prime minister added that he would discuss with Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also the education minister, about the possibility of converting Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SJKT) which did not receive government assistance, to be converted into fully government assisted schools, in stages.  Najib said Tafe College would also be upgraded to a university college status because the institution has the capability to provide technical expertise that is needed by the country. The prime minister said the government would also allocate funds to upgrade community centres and crematoriums and raise the equity for the Indian community to 3%.

Since the election is round the corner all that is said by the prime minister can only be done after the next general elections provided he remains in office. But Dr Mahathir Mohamad who represents the UMNO hardliners have called on Prime Minister  Najib Tun Razak to relinquish his post if he is unable to secure a two-thirds majority for Barisan Nasional in the next election. Securing two thirds majority and winning back Selangor by BN is not predicted by any independent analyst so far. Therefore  Najib’s position after the 13th general election is not feasible and untenable as it stands now. Even if BN wins 13th general elections how much support and authority will he have in UMNO is anybody’s guess. Under these conditions can the prime minister fulfil his pledges and promises? Indian community has seen these election promises in the past but nothing changed.

In 1970s BN/MIC leaders have promised achieving 3% economic stakes. But Indian economic wealth has dropped to 1.2% by 2000. The prime minister is recycling the same figure 3% again.  It’s quite understandable that he only realised the Indian equity is only 1.2% just before the general elections and not after he took over the premiership in 2009. Does he have UMNO and Malay bureaucracy support for his pledge?  Najib should get the consent of UMNO and the Malay bureaucracy before he promises. Otherwise when Indian Malaysians go to government departments on prime minister’s pledge, the counter clerk will say that they did not get orders from higher ups. Indian Malaysian had enough of political rhetoric but need actual delivery.

Prime minister’s pledge to turn all partially aided to full aided sounds hollow. Even now the full aided Tamil schools need to appeal to Indian community to refurbish depleted signboards and repair toilets. They don’t get funds on time but after 3 to 4 years and besides Tamil Schools have to run to MIC for assistance but national schools get assistance from ministry of education itself. Why the double standard Mr. Prime minister? Why not set up a department in ministry of education to develop, maintain and formulate progressive curriculum so that every Tamil school student can join form one class and cope his/her lessons and not drop out of secondary schools?

AIMST University was built with MIC grassroots’ support and government fund. But Malays get Bumi quotas and Chinese students can afford to pay but many Indian students cannot afford to pay their fees of AIMST University. Indians students study with PTPTN loan. How will converting Tafe College to university status help Indian students? Again the Malays will have their Bumi quotas and Indian students have to borrow from PTPTN. Mr. Prime minister, Indians need scholarships, job opportunities, higher education places in universities and recognition that they are truly Malaysians.

The Prime Minister  Najib has been asking for trust (nambikai) again and again. For the past 55 years Indian Malaysian’s trust (Nambikai) on BN was taken for granted and their rights have been denied and ignored. Many in the community are still waiting for blue identity card and rightful treatment in government front office counters. MIC leaders like Samy Velu,  Nadarajah etc have betrayed the Indian Malaysian’s trust once too many. But  Najib surrounds himself with these untrustworthy characters and asking the Indian Malaysians to trust (Nambikai) him. Will the Indian Malaysians ever trust the prime minister? Can he be trusted in the first place? Even this simple fact has eluded the prime minister.

Najib’s BN government spends about RM500 million every year on BTN programs which is indoctrinating Malay supremacy (ketuanan Melayu) concept in the minds of civil servants. Will the 95% Malay civil service having attended the BTN program allocate funds to upgrade community centres and crematoriums for non Malays? The prime minister can give grand promises to gullible Indian Malaysians but will the BTN trained government department counters entertain request for temples and crematorium or do they have a policy on these matters. The prime minister’s 1Malaysia ponggal speech may be music to MIC/PPP/IPF leaders but the large numbers of Indians in Malaysia are more aware and informed now.