PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli recently acknowledged something that many non-Malay voters have known for some time: support for the party is slipping. It’s not a new phenomenon but it is one that has deepened since the 2022 general election.
For years, non-Malays,
particularly the Chinese and Indian communities, stood firmly behind PKR and
Pakatan Harapan.
Their support was based on the
belief that this coalition represented the promise of reform, inclusivity, and
a Malaysia beyond racial politics. But less than two years into governing, that
hope is fading and fast.
Unfulfilled Promises, Growing
Apathy
The cost of living has increased,
and while this affects all Malaysians, minority communities feel the pinch more
acutely due to their systemic exclusion from state assistance in education,
business, and employment.
But beyond economic frustrations,
many feel that their concerns have been outright ignored by a coalition that
once championed them.
Key issues that once defined
Harapan’s campaign spirit such as justice for the enforced disappearances of
Pastor Raymond Koh and Amri Che Mat, the case of Indira Gandhi’s missing
daughter, and recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) have
either been shelved or pushed to the margins.
On religious sensitivities,
controversial figures such as preacher Zamri Vinoth still enjoy impunity and
government access, while minority voices urging moderation and mutual respect
are often left unheard.
The Indian Community: From
Pillar to Peripheral
Among the most disillusioned are
Malaysian Indians. Historically one of PKR’s strongest support bases, they are
now wondering if their political sacrifices have meant anything.
The handling of the Jalan Masjid
India temple dispute, for example, was a clear example of tone-deaf governance.
The temple, with deep cultural significance to Hindus, was caught in a
bureaucratic storm, raising familiar concerns about the government's sensitivity
or lack thereof to Hindu places of worship.
Perhaps more telling is the
absence of a Tamil-speaking minister in the current Cabinet the first such
omission since independence. This is more than symbolic.
Language and representation
matter, especially to a community that already feels left behind. The exclusion
is seen as a direct blow to cultural identity and political dignity.
To make matters worse,
traditional Indian-majority parliamentary constituencies such as Kapar and Port
Dickson were given to Malay candidates in GE15, with no adequate or winnable
alternatives provided to Indian leaders.
This has fuelled the perception
that PKR is pivoting into a Malay-majority-centric party, in both strategy and
spirit a move many see as no different from UMNO, PAS, or BERSATU.
Internal Structures Reflect
External Neglect
Even within PKR, the story is the
same. In the Central Leadership Council (2022–2025), not a single Indian leader
was elected by the delegates.
All current Indian
representatives were appointed not by democratic support but by top-down
selection. It sends a clear message: Indian voices are no longer organically
represented; they are curated.
With the upcoming party
elections, many predict that Indian leaders will once again be sidelined. This
isn’t just internal politics it’s a reflection of a broader trend where
minority leadership is viewed as expendable in pursuit of Malay electoral support.
Rafizi’s honesty is therefore
welcome, but it must serve as a catalyst for urgent change not just an
observation in a speech.
The Risk of Losing the War
There’s a growing sentiment that
many PKR and Harapan leaders are more focused on retaining positions than
delivering reform. And if that remains the case, the outcome is inevitable: the
party may win internal battles but lose the national war.
Minority voter turnout is
expected to drop significantly in GE16, especially among Indians and Chinese
who once saw Harapan as their only political hope after abandoning BN-aligned
parties like MIC and MCA.
Today, there is a bitter irony:
under Harapan, many minorities feel more disillusioned than they ever did under
BN. At least then, the marginalisation was predictable. Under Harapan, it feels
like betrayal.
The Road to Redemption
The decline in minority support
for PKR can still be reversed but only if bold and sincere action is taken
without delay.
To rebuild trust, PKR must first
restore genuine representation, starting with the appointment of a
Tamil-speaking Cabinet minister who can effectively voice the concerns of the
Indian community.
Winnable constituencies must be
returned to capable Indian leaders who have strong grassroots ties and can
authentically advocate for their communities.
Addressing unresolved issues such
as enforced disappearances, temple demolitions, and other long-standing justice
concerns is equally crucial.
These are not just isolated
incidents; they represent a broader failure to uphold minority rights and
dignity.
Moreover, PKR must put an end to
racially divisive or appeasing rhetoric aimed solely at securing Malay votes.
Such tactics only deepen distrust
among non-Malay communities and contradict the party’s multiracial principles.
Internal reforms are also
essential: minority leaders must be empowered through democratic processes, not
appointed as token figures to fulfill diversity optics.
Minority communities are not
demanding special treatment. They are asking to be heard, seen, and respected
as equal citizens.
They want representation that is
genuine, not symbolic; policies that address their needs, not sideline them for
political expediency.
PKR must rise to this challenge because
a truly inclusive future depends on it.
Final Thoughts
Rafizi’s remarks were not just
politically insightful they were a warning bell. The question now is whether
PKR and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim are prepared to listen.
The non-Malay vote is not
guaranteed, and in GE16, its absence may prove fatal for the coalition that
once claimed to be Malaysia’s best hope for reform.
To win back trust, PKR must prove
it still stands for the multiracial, reformist ideals it was founded upon.
Otherwise, the very people who
built the foundation of this party may no longer be there to hold it up.
19.05.2025
Kuala Lumpur.
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