The Aftermath of the Hindraf Rally

It has been 4 days since the Hindraf rally, and the dust has just began to settle. This is a good time to ponder about the significance and impact of this gathering on the future of Malaysian Indians, and also Malaysia as a whole. Nobody can deny that like BERSIH, the Hindraf rally may be a significant milestone that may turn the direction this country is heading.

Who are these people who turned out in thousands that Sunday? Firstly, they are not criminals or gangsters as the police and government would like to portray them. I also do not believe that all of them fall into the "poor" category. I am sure a lot of them are in the middle-income group. I believe the 30,000 people (as Malaysiakini reported) that were present during the rally that day are a SAMPLE of the Malaysian Indian MAJORITY that are totally dissatisfied and disillusioned with the MIC and the Barisan National government. It would not be far-fetched to say that the majority of MIC grassroots themselves are supporting the Hindraf cause either openly or in secret.

So, why did they do this? They have been blinded for all these years. And now, the blindfolds have been removed. Indians usually put the blame on their current situation on their fate (vithi or thale yeluthu in Tamil). It is in their nature not to blame others but themselves. That is why they continue to give undivided support to MIC and the BN all these years. The Chinese votes are always divided over MCA and DAP. The Malay votes get divided over UMNO and PAS/PKR. The Indians votes hardly get divided. For the BN, the Indians votes have always been considered as "in the bag" or a sure thing. Unfortunately, this undivided loyalty did not bring them much good. Hindraf has succeeded in making them see that they too, as Malaysians, deserve to be given opportunities to better themselves, and to come out of poverty and pathetic living conditions, especially in the estates. The Indians see themselves falling behind the other races as each day goes by. They realized that their present situation will only get worse especially when the playing field is not level. The Malaysian Indians realized that they are also stakeholders in the country, and they too have rights. Even so, all these reasons would not be enough for the thousands to put aside their fear, and make their voices to be heard that Sunday.

So, what triggered this overwhelming reaction? The last straw that broke the camel's back was the recent demolitions of many Hindu temples. The Government acted insensitively towards something the Indians hold sacred, even if the temples were built illegally. The Indians got the point that they were insignificant and their feelings were not important. They were made to feel like pariahs in their own land (yes, this is their land). They are asking why didn't the MIC come to their rescue? If the mighty Samy Vellu and the MIC are not even respected by the government, who is going to protect them from being stomped and trampled upon? Hindraf is not a stooge of the opposition, as the government claims. They are ordinary Indians with no political agenda who stepped up to voice out their opposition when the MIC decided to be silent. Their emergence coincides with the recent surge in the demolition of temples, not the upcoming elections as the government would want you to believe.

The two recent massive rallies have put the government in a tight spot. They would prefer to call elections before Anwar Ibrahim becomes eligible to run in April 2008. At the same time, the rallies show that there is deep dissatisfaction among the people (irrespective of race) with the current establishment. In addition to unfair electoral practices and demolition of places of worship, the government is also in bad light for the recent surge in prices of goods, petrol, and toll. In these hard times, the people cringe to hear that the Pahang state government spent RM48,000 of tax-payers money for a single-digit car license plate. To make things worse for BN, the Lingamgate scandal exposed a very possible corrupted judiciary. All these events have resulted in Abdullah Ahmad Badawi having a hard time pinning an election date as it appears to be a moving target.

MIC has always wanted to be the one and only path that brings assistance and improvements for the Indian community. Samy Vellu wants to be the only link between the Indian people and the PM. There should be no other avenues. That is why he protests vehemently whenever other Indian parties such as IPF and MUIP apply to join Barisan National. Probably, he is insecure about members of his party leaving him high and dry, and joining other Indian parties if they are in the Barisan coalition. If there are no other Indian parties in Barisan, the chances of this happening is of course zero. The possibility of MIC becoming a smaller Indian party within the Barisan coalition is a nightmare that he would not like to face. If that happens, he would lose his ministerial post, and the status of being the god-like figure of the Indian community. The Indian people's support for Hindraf is a slap in the face for him and MIC. Current MIC incumbents in both Parliament and State seats are already feeling the ground giving way below them. In a Malaysiakini video, I heard one of the Hindraf protesters say, "We'll show it to them when we go to the polls!". If the elections were to be held today, many MIC members of Parliament and state assemblymen will be dethroned, except maybe for Devamany, MP for Cameron Highlands. MIC now knows that "if you cannot beat them, you better join them". Even Samy Vellu who once was so against the Hindraf gathering, is now singing the same tune, saying that the government may have not "done enough" for the Indian community. The things that these people would say to cling on to the slippery poles of power...shame.

Hindraf should be proud with what they have achieved so far. Through the lawsuit and the rally, they have managed to highlight how low the Indians are feeling right now. Their claims are not racist in nature. They are not saying don't give to the Malays and the Chinese. What they are saying is, "Give to us also...Do not forget us...Treat us like citizens...Treat us fairly...Do not marginalize us anymore". They are saying enough is enough. They may be directly faulting the constitution for their current predicament, but they are indirectly blaming the Malaysian government. What Hindraf wants is a government that will treat all Malaysians fairly, irrespective of race and religion. This is also what PKR and Anwar Ibrahim is championing. Their goals are one and the same. The present government cannot change. Change is almost impossible when you have been in power for far too long. Hindraf's ultimate goal should be for Malaysia to turn a new page, with a new government that will end corruption and absurd spending, implement sound fiscal policies, keep the judiciary independent, raise the standard of living of everyone, and most importantly instill a sense of belonging in ALL Malaysians. Hindraf, and Malaysian Indians in general, having lost faith in MIC and BN, need to work hand in hand with PKR to achieve this. DAP's Lim Kit Siang showed his support when he visited the Hindraf supporters as they gathered outside the police station where their leaders were detained. He was greeted with loud cheers and applause. Anwar Ibrahim missed the chance by holding back, but made amends by showing support for the leaders at the court. PKR should reach out and welcome these Malaysians unto their fold. There is no shame in doing this as both parties have a common purpose. Anwar should attend one of Hindraf's upcoming ceramahs (talk) and show his morale support for their cause, and give them hope in a new leadership.

The tides are changing. I see light at the end of a dimly-lit tunnel.