PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Rakyat may lose nine Parliament seats if there is a 30% swing in Indian votes for Barisan Nasional, according to academic Ong Kian Ming. Among the seats listed by the UCSI lecturer were Lembah Pantai, held by PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar, and Sungai Siput, which is now in the hands of Parti Sosialis Malaysia’s Dr Michael Jeyakumar.
The other seven seats were Kuala Langat, Merbok, Bruas, Kuala Selangor, Teluk Intan, Hulu Langat and Nibong Tebal.
However, Ong predicted that Indian votes would swing by only 10% in the next general election based on the 9% shift in support witnessed for BN during the Hulu Selangor by election.
He was speaking at a forum entitled “13th General Election – The battle to win the hearts and minds for the Indian vote” organised by the Malaysian Indian Business Association (Miba) here yesterday.
On the same note, Ong said the opposition was more secured in state seats. “Even with a 10% Indian vote swing, BN can’t win these seats,” he added.
Both sides have failed
He also pointed out that both sides of the political divide had failed to put forward the Indian agenda.
“There is weak leadership in MIC despite the change in leadership,” he said in view of party president G Palanivel not being an elected leader.
Palanivel had been appointed acting president after S Samy Vellu stepped down earlier this year after leading the BN component party for three decades.
Ong also identified Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak as a factor impeding the implementation of an Indian agenda due to the latter’s fear of Malay right-wing groups.
As for Pakatan, the academic told his audience of about 120 that the opposition coalition lacked a clear Indian leader.
“Within the multiracial DAP and PKR, Indian leaders must compete against other Indians on an unofficial quota,” he said, adding that PAS and PKR were more concentrated on winning Malay votes.
Apart from Ong, Denison Jayasooria from the Institute of Ethnic Studies, UKM, also spoke during the first session of the day-long forum.
A total of six sessions were held on various aspects with regard to the Indian community. Among them were the role of the civil society and the federal government’s assistance to the community.
Other speakers included former Suhakam commissioner N Siva Subramaniam, Selangor exco Dr Xavier Jayakumar, Subang MP R Sivarasa and Sungai Siput MP Jeyakumar.
Notably missing from the list of speakers were MIC representatives but two central working committee members KP Samy and S Manivasagum were present in their personal capacity.
Forum served as a platform
Previously, Penang Chief Minister II P Ramasamy declined to participate in the forum, which he termed as an insult to the community.
The DAP leader also stressed that he would only debate with Najib and other top Umno leaders regarding this issue.
Speaking to FMT later, Miba president P Sivakumar said the forum was to provide a platform for politicians and aspiring politicians to share their dreams and hopes for the community.
“We are a diverse political community in Malaysia and at the heart of our socio-economic struggle is the need for a credible leader for a better future for the Indians,” he said.
On the much criticised RM100 fee imposed on participants, Miba secretary-general NR Lecth said the money was used for the hall rental, food, sound system, video recording, paperwork and others.
“Honestly, the total cost of the forum is nearly RM11,500. Only 53 participants paid the entry fees, we gave free admission for others,” he said.
He also said that MIBA would send the bills to Ramasamy since the deputy chief minister claimed that the fee imposed was ridiculous.
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