1. First, there is MIC (Malaysian Indian Congress) formed in 1946. Next come PPP (People Progressive Party) formed in 1953 followed by IPF (Indian Progressive Front) then MIUP (Malaysian Indian United Party) and now MMSP (Malaysian Makkal Sakhti Party).
2. Looking at the number of Indian based parties, one may think that Indians make up a sizeable population in Malaysia. However, a quick look into factbook indicated that Indians make up of only 7 % of 25.7 million ie. 1.8 million of the total population.
3. Assuming that 70 % of them are within the voting age bracket, that will be 1.2 millions. Cutting down further and assuming that 70 % (that is a very high figure) are active members to political parties, that will be 840,000.
4. Now, MIC claimed that their membership stands at 630,000. That leaves 210,000 active members shared within the balance 4 Indian based parties.Wooaa! That comes to approximately slightly above 50,000 per party. And yet, IPF claimed that they have 380,000 members.
5. Although PPP claimed that they are a multi-racial party, PPP's core supporters are Indians. That said, unless the Indians are multi-party practitioners, it's getting crowded for Indian based political parties.
6. The latest boy in town, MMSP, whose party got its registration approved last week will have a lot of catching up to do. First, it has to come out of the original Makkal Sakhti movement and made clear that Makkal Sakhti movement of Waymoorthy is not the same as Thanenthiran's MMSP. Second, Thanenthiran should be seen fighting for the Indians and not for his own political survival. For the record, Thanenthiran unsuccessful lobby to be PKR's candidate for Bukit Selambau led him to leave Makkal Salkhti proper to form his own political party.
7. Thanen's statements sounded like a sore loser. Rejected as Bukit Selambau, he is pinning his hopes on "Makkal Sakhti"'s slogan. So far, he has not offered anything different. His indication is that he is unhappy with PR.
8. Whatever it is, it is too crowded in there. The cake is small and the players are one too many. Someone will soon bite the dust. And before doing so, that someone is hoping to score big with BN. Maybe, some cash in line in return for short temporary fame on Penanti's stage?
9. Thanen can do it, Nalla can do better. Both of them combined can shave few millions from BN's rich coffers. Samy cannot do it, Kayveas can only think about it since both of them are already in BN's payroll. IPF? Still in limbo rock....
10. In the end, who will the Indians turn to in Penanti? BN or PR?
Maybe Waythamoorthy will show the way.....
by Dnightcaller
Monday, May 18, 2009
Uthaya may be re-arrested.....
Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P. Uthayakumar today reiterated his stand not to return to the Kamunting Detention Camp despite being served a notice instructing him to return in two days time.
Speaking to his supporters after performing prayers in Batu Caves here, Uthayakumar said he is not bound to the conditions set by the Home Ministry upon his release from detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA) and therefore need not reply to the notice.
“I am a free man. Article 5 of the Federal Constitution says that no person may be deprived of life or personal liberty save in accordance with law.
“I did not pen down my signature to the conditions set upon my release. When they told me of the conditions, I shut my ears so I could not hear,” he told the crowd in Tamil.
The release of all the Hindraf leaders including Uthayakumar, were conditional. Among the conditions is the prohibition to speak at public gatherings.
Uthayakumar however said on his release that he did not agree to the conditions and would rather stay under detention than being released with conditions. He was subsequently released without signing the conditions.
Unlike Uthayakumar, the other Hindraf leaders had all agreed to the conditions placed on their release.
Last Friday, Uthayakumar was served with a notice asking him to return to Kamunting to appear before the detention camp’s advisory board.
It is learnt that the notice indicated the government’s intention of revoking his early release. This could be due to his refusal to obey the conditions set for his release.
Meanwhile, Uthayakumar said the movement’s leaders will be meeting next week to discuss its future plans. He however did not reveal the details of the meeting.
The Malaysian Insider has learned that Pakatan Rakyat parties like PKR have approached Uthayakumar and invited him to join them but the latter said he needs time to think about it.
Apart from this, Uthayakumar also blasted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1Malaysia concept as hypocritical.
“He wants a one Malaysia but practices a two system,” he said accusing the double standard practised by a Malay-dominated government when it comes to safeguarding the welfare of the Indian minority.
The Malaysian Insider
“I am a free man. Article 5 of the Federal Constitution says that no person may be deprived of life or personal liberty save in accordance with law.
“I did not pen down my signature to the conditions set upon my release. When they told me of the conditions, I shut my ears so I could not hear,” he told the crowd in Tamil.
The release of all the Hindraf leaders including Uthayakumar, were conditional. Among the conditions is the prohibition to speak at public gatherings.
Uthayakumar however said on his release that he did not agree to the conditions and would rather stay under detention than being released with conditions. He was subsequently released without signing the conditions.
Unlike Uthayakumar, the other Hindraf leaders had all agreed to the conditions placed on their release.
Last Friday, Uthayakumar was served with a notice asking him to return to Kamunting to appear before the detention camp’s advisory board.
It is learnt that the notice indicated the government’s intention of revoking his early release. This could be due to his refusal to obey the conditions set for his release.
Meanwhile, Uthayakumar said the movement’s leaders will be meeting next week to discuss its future plans. He however did not reveal the details of the meeting.
The Malaysian Insider has learned that Pakatan Rakyat parties like PKR have approached Uthayakumar and invited him to join them but the latter said he needs time to think about it.
Apart from this, Uthayakumar also blasted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1Malaysia concept as hypocritical.
“He wants a one Malaysia but practices a two system,” he said accusing the double standard practised by a Malay-dominated government when it comes to safeguarding the welfare of the Indian minority.
The Malaysian Insider
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