Najib makes pitch in symbolic heart of Indian Malaysia

Datuk Seri Najib Razak today became the first prime minister to make an official visit to Batu Caves since his father Tun Abdul Razak did in 1970. Though their visits to the site best known for its Hindu cave temples and the spectacular Thaipusam festival were separated by nearly forty years, the circumstances that surrounded their visits are in some ways, remarkably similar.

Both men made their visits during their first year in office. Forty years ago, the country was wracked by racial bickering. Today, the nation is still struggling to make peace with its multi-ethnic makeup.

Back in 1970, Umno and its Alliance partners MCA and MIC were stunned by the electoral setbacks in 1969. Today, Umno and its Barisan Nasional (BN) partners are grappling with electoral setbacks in last year’s general elections which saw the ruling coalition lose five states to the opposition.

The major difference betwen the two elections was, in 1969, it was largely the non-Malays who had voted for the opposition. Last year, not only the non-Malays abandoned the BN in droves but a significant percentage of Malay voters did so as well.

The approaches taken by the two men however, appear to diverge significantly.

The elder Razak ushered in an era of what many see as strongly pro-Malay measures such as the New Economic Policy (NEP), measures that had perhaps unintended negative repercussions on race relations and Malaysian unity.

Four decades on, his son comes into office pushing a reform message of “1Malaysia” which aims to bond Malaysians as “one people, one nation, one dream”.

He also took several steps to open the economy and lifted selected quotas in the financial sector and capital markets as well as in the services industry. In addition, Najib also promised a review of the controversial Internal Security Act (ISA).

While some will dismiss Najib’s Batu Caves speech as mere rhetoric, he appeared heartfelt as he hammered home his message on unity to the thousands of mostly Indians who attended the 1Malaysia Carnival organised by the Sri Mahamariamman Temple Devasthanam and Malaysian Hindu Council.

The overcast sky and soaring limestone cliffs also made a dramatic backdrop to Najib’s booming oratory.

"If we are as one people, if we are as one nation, if we are as one dream, we will be a stronger Malaysia. We must look forward to a bigger, and better future, predicated on a united Malaysia. It is imperative to make it (mutual respect among the races), a part of the psyche and way of life.

“That is why 1Malaysia is about changing mindsets from mere tolerance to one of total acceptance of a plural society. The plural society is a political reality that is an asset and not a liability. A strength and not a weakness.

“I believe Malaysia can be a gateway to the world. We have all the major civilizations. We are a gateway to China, India, the Malay world, the Middle East. We must convert this asset to a strategic advantage,” Najib said.

To sweeten his message to the Indian community, whose deep rooted feelings of being marginalised gave rise to the Hindraf movement, the prime minister announced that he will respond to the Batu Caves temple committee chairman Datuk R Nadarajah’s request for help to further develop Batu Caves into an even bigger tourism attraction and that the government will allocated additional funds to that purpose.

He also announced a few other financial allocations, such as for the Divine Life Society Orphanage and RM15 million in micro credit to help Indian entrepreneurs.

He also pointed out that in the recent Amanah Saham 1Malaysia unit trust scheme by Permodalan Nasional Berhad, the Indian quota was 15 per cent despite making up only 8 per cent of the total population.

He however, did not touch on Nadarajah’s other two requests — that Thaipusam, currently a state holiday, be made into a national holiday on account of the estimated 1.3 million pilgrims who make the journey to Batu Caves each Thaipusam, and for a cable car system to be built for the disabled to reach the highest cave temple.

“This is proof that we don’t talk rhetoric and slogans, “ said Najib. “Not in words but proof in deeds to help Indians and all races so we can proposer together. In 1Malaysia, it is not a zero sum game,” said Najib.

“If we help the Indians, it does not mean we deprive the Malays or Chinese. I believe God has given Malaysia bountiful wealth. I believe each Malaysian has a place under the Malaysian sun.”

Recent surveys show that Najib’s attempts to win over the Indian community and their votes are bearing fruit.

A Merdeka Center poll conducted in June has 74 per cent of Indians expressing satisfaction with Najib.

But at the same time, his message may be compromised by the fiery tone emanating from Umno controlled newspapers — Utusan and Berita Harian — who have written articles that appear to go against 1Malaysia and urged Malays to rise up against alleged threats to their community.

The non-Malay sense of being second class citizens was also build up over decades and will not be overcome easily.

But for now, with his greetings of “Vanakam” and farewells of “Nandry”, and numerous 1Malaysia speeches, Najib seems determined to try.

The Malaysian Insider