Kota Kinabalu: Sabah’s Indian community must not be left out of the state’s leadership simply because it is small in numbers, with MIC calling for qualified Indians to be given a fair chance at elected positions and key decision-making roles.
Datuk Dr Nelson Renganathan said representation should be based on merit, professional expertise and the ability to contribute to Sabah’s development, rather than the numerical strength of a community.
Speaking to reporters after the 28th MIC Sabah Convention, the MIC Malaysia Vice President urged state leaders to consider capable Indians for representation at state and national levels, as well as appointments to councils throughout Sabah.
He said the community’s relatively small population should not prevent qualified individuals from contributing to public service and helping shape the state’s future.
Renganathan pointed to the contributions of Indian professionals who had served Sabah in the past, including teachers in interior schools, doctors and engineers working with the Public Works Department (JKR).
Some Indian teachers, he said, had taught in schools where there were few or no Indian pupils, while other professionals had served local communities in remote areas regardless of their ethnic backgrounds.
Their contributions demonstrated that professional competence and dedication should take precedence over race when identifying people for positions of responsibility.
“We should not choose people based only on the numerical strength of a particular community. We should choose those who can contribute to the development of the state,” he said.
Renganathan clarified that MIC was not demanding positions exclusively for its members, but wanted qualified Indians with the necessary merit, skills and expertise to be given fair consideration.
“We are not saying that only MIC members should be chosen. But among our community, those with merit, ability and expertise should be given the opportunity to represent all communities,” he said.
Although Indians form a relatively small segment of Sabah’s population, he expressed confidence that the community, particularly MIC members, could make meaningful contributions to the state’s economic and social development.
He hoped Sabah’s leaders would recognise this potential and provide qualified Indians with greater opportunities to serve the public and participate in decision-making.
Renganathan also thanked MIC Sabah State Chairman S. Chandra Segar, the organising committee and party members for their participation in the convention, which he described as a success.
Meanwhile in his speech, Chandra said the Indian community in Sabah must unite to strengthen its voice in pressing for better education, employment opportunities, economic advancement and social welfare.
He urged community members to put collective interests ahead of personal ambitions, warning that differences in opinion should not stand in the way of their shared goal of building a stronger, better educated and more successful community.
He said unity would enable the community to present its concerns more effectively, champion its interests and ensure that issues affecting its future received due attention.
Towards this end, Chandra stressed that a stronger collective voice did not mean confronting others, but engaging through constructive dialogue, cooperation and the appropriate channels.
