KUALA LUMPUR: Former DAP leader Dr P. Ramasamy's influence among Indian voters in the Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) by-election may weaken the unity government's majority, but it will not aid Perikatan Nasional (PN) either.
While DAP may lose support from Indian voters, Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Dr Azmi Hassan said it was unlikely for the unity government to lose its seat.
"In the case of Ramasamy, his faction of support is still relatively small and how it may translate in the KKB context for those sharing his same views is that voters will just not go out to vote," said Azmi.
On the support that MIC has vouched to help its Pakatan Harapan (PH) allies in the by-election, he echoed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's assurance that Indian voters associated with the party will participate in the election.
"They are likely to vote for the DAP candidate. Unlike MCA, MIC has pledged its support to the prime minister," he said.
Azmi noted there should be some importance placed on the knowledge of the drastic decline in the number of Indian voters casting their ballots.
Although the numbers are minor, he said the trend is evident as observed in key states such as Penang and Negri Sembilan (apart from Selangor).
"As far as the Indian votes are concerned, we will definitely see further fragmentation of this voter demographic," he said.
Ramasamy, who was also formerly Penang deputy chief minister II, attempted to discredit support towards the PH coalition after establishing his Indian-based party Urimai and urged Indian voters to avoid voting following dissatisfaction with the treatment given to the community.
The Indian community in KKB, however, expressed that the calls by the former DAP leader did not represent the majority voice of the community in the constituency.