I RECALL a section of the ancient Indian epic, Mahabharata, where Duryodhan questioned Lord Krishna, “Why is my brother, Yudhistir, considered a good man, while I am not?”
Krishna then instructed Duryodhan to look for one good man in his kingdom, and summoned Yudhistir to identify a bad man. Both brothers met Krishna empty handed the next day, puzzled. Krishna explained to Duryodhan: “People consider you a bad man because you choose not to see the goodness in others, while Yudhistir is loved because he chooses not to see any evil in others.”
The story portrays the importance of maintaining a positive outlook.
Once hailed as the crown jewel of the Indian community by our forefathers, MIC, was the sole legitimate channel to address the needs and aspiration of the Indian community.
In the 2004 general election, MIC secured nine parliamentary seats and 20 state seats. In general election in May last year, MIC won two of the nine parliamentary seats it contested, but lost the Cameron Highlands seat eight months later in a by-election. MIC is left with one parliamentary seat and three state seats.
Apart from rejection of Barisan Nasional, the outcome shows that MIC has lost the support of Indians. Out of the frying pan and into the fire, the recent alleged disparaging comment by then BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz on the ability of MIC to survive (garner support) without being in alliance with BN further diminished its veneration among Indians.
In the context of the Mahabharata story — was MIC living in denial on the denunciation by its very own community because of its alliance with BN? Or, was it because Indians did not see the goodness in MIC after all its efforts for the betterment of the society?
After the dismal outcome of the 2018 polls, there has been very little development from MIC. Instead of backing off, MIC should continue to uphold its main objective to safeguard and promote the political, economic, educational, cultural and social interests of Indians.
One of the achievements was the Malaysian Indian Blueprint (MIB), introduced under BN. MIB was the first federal government-initiated blueprint document to address the needs and concerns of the Indian community.
MIB aimed to tackle the issues plaguing Indians, especially among the Bottom 40 group, who make up 38.71 per cent of the population, or 227,600 households in 2014, according to the Department of Statistics.
MIB systematically strategised solutions on income inequality, house ownership, statelessness, youth unemployment and education among Indians.
Deplorably, it appears that MIC has lost its priority. There was little trace of MIB on the official MIC website when accessed on March 7.
Instead of bickering over internal conflicts, MIC should shed its ego and join hands with PH ministers to develop an action plan with key performance indicators, goals and timelines on the implementation of MIB.
Depending on the government to shoulder the responsibility of implementing MIB is not appropriate. It is time for MIC to take the bull by its horns and move away from BN so that it can concentrate on MIB. This should be the main strategy to reinvigorate its position as a reliable representative of the Indian community.
If the policy of MIC is to be responsible for the welfare of the Indians, then the loss of power or position should not matter. In fact, being politically neutral allows MIC to be critical of any flaws in the implementation of MIB and play a pivotal role in the betterment of Malaysian Indians. It is now or never.
DR HARINTHARAVIMAL BALAKRISHNAN
Skudai, Johor Baru