KUALA LUMPUR: It will not be an easy task for P. Waytha Moorthy to attract members to join his newly launched Malaysian Advancement Party (MAP), a political analyst said.
Universiti Sains Malaysia's Professor Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said currently, MIC has the advantage with its structure and manpower.
“As such, Waytha needs to reach out in a more structured manner, from branch, division, state and national level. He also has to show that he is better,” he said when contacted.
He noted that MAP is the third faction from Hindraf. The other two are Datuk Seri RS Thanenthiran’s Malaysia Makkal Sakti party and P. Uthayakumar’s Human Rights Party.
“We see this as an emergence of another political party but the Indians want to see who can uplift the community economically and socially. They want to see the outcome,” he said when contacted adding that it is too early to judge Waytha.
On MIC chief Tan Sri S.A Vigneswaran’s comment that MIC members are free to join MAP, Sivamurugan said MIC is not looking at the new party as a competitor.
He said while the country was moving towards multi-racial parties, there are still ethnic-based parties.
“For example, the Malays have Umno, PAS, Amanah, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and the multi-racial PKR. The Chinese has MCA, DAP and other ethnic-based parties. Although the MIC is still there, there is no ethnic Indian party for the ruling government,” he said.
He said although there are multiracial parties in the new government, an ethnic-based one can serve as check and balance.
He also raised the question if the new party will be welcomed in the era of Malaysia Baru.
Vigneswaran when contacted dismissed Waytha and his party.
“Parties like the DAP and PKR are more superior to this new party. Nobody would want to join Waytha Moorthy, he doesn’t have the foundation,” Vigneswaran said.
The MIC, once enjoyed great support from the Indian community but fared miserably in the last general election, where it only won two Parliamentary seats (Tapah and Cameron Highlands) out of the nine it contested and three state seats (Jeram Padang, Tenggaroh and Kahang) out of the 13 contested.
The Cameron Highlands seat win was later nulled due to evidence of bribery.
The MIC also lost all the seats contested in Penang, Kedah, Perak, Melaka and Pahang.
Waytha in a statement promised to protect, promote and advance the interest of the Indians in the country in their political, economic, educational, cultural, religious and social interests.
“As a people’s movement, the party will ensure that it plays a crucial role in the renewed hope and opportunities under the Pakatan Harapan government for the Malaysian Indian community with effective representation."
With the new party, Waytha will resign from his position as the Hindraf chairman.
A new chairman will be elected to continue its role as the watchdog for the Indian community, he said in the statement.=