Indian MPs, once vocal against MIC, have gone silent, says author

Indian MPs, who once fiercely criticized the Malaysian Chinese Association (MIC) for neglecting the community, have become noticeably silent since entering the government, according to author Janakey Raman Manickam. Manickam, a former laborer, argues that Indian MPs from the Democratic Action Party (DAP), the People’s Justice Party (PKR), and even the sole Indian member of the Malaysian Chinese Association (M Saravanan) have largely remained silent on issues affecting marginalized Indians in Parliament and state assemblies.

This silence contrasts sharply with their vocal opposition to MIC during the 2018 general election, when they frequently denounced the party's failure to address the community's problems. Manickam, who has closely followed Dewan Rakyat proceedings since 2023, urges Indian MPs to actively identify marginalised Indian families in their constituencies and address their needs, rather than simply being part of the opposition.

He suggests using electoral rolls to identify former estate workers and their descendants, assessing their socioeconomic circumstances, and communicating the information to party leaders and the prime minister. Manickam emphasizes that these marginalised communities, who have endured historical disadvantages for over five decades, require national attention to address their long-standing issues.