Every now and then, we hear our Indian representatives in government like Batu MP Prabakaran Parameswaran and Deputy Minister Saraswathy Kandasami stand up and tell us, “We are working for the Indian community. The government is not sidelining us.” Good. That’s what they’re supposed to say. But saying and showing are two different things.
Out here, in the real world in Brickfields, in Rawang, in Seremban, in the estates and urban flats you ask the Indian makcik selling flowers, the youth looking for a job, or the retired uncle chasing MITRA assistance they’ll give you the same answer: “Prosesing”
Let’s be honest both of you are holding high-profile positions. With that comes responsibility, not just in action, but in how you communicate. You’re not just talking to the media you’re speaking to a community that watches, listens, and reads between the lines. Don’t tell us you reached where you are today purely through hard work we know many Malaysians who work just as hard, if not harder. What sets leaders apart is talent, wisdom, and clarity and those qualities show in how you speak, how you carry yourselves, and how you respond to criticism.
This isn’t a personal attack. It’s a reflection on how disappointing your public statements and appearances have become especially when dealing with issues affecting the Indian community. We were taught to address even serious matters with grace and clarity. But what we notice now is nervousness, oversimplification, and a lack of depth.
Take your recent podcast interview as an example. When asked about the Indian community, your struggle to articulate a coherent vision was painful to witness. How can that be, when you’re supposed to be working on these issues every single day? When it came to personal narratives your hardship, your sacrifices suddenly the passion came out. Suddenly, the sentences flowed. But when it came to policy, funding, and the reality on the ground the wisdom was missing, the answers felt binary and rehearsed.
Please understand this: you were chosen not because you were the best, but because there were limited options. That’s the truth. You were convenient, not exceptional. And because of that, the expectation is even higher. Because when we think back, we remember someone like Waytha Moorthy love him or hate him who had the courage to say the RM100 million for MITRA was not enough. In 2018, he openly requested RM1 billion. He negotiated. He dared to push. That’s what representation looks like.
Even today, there are better qualified Indian leaders within the coalition individuals who know the ground, speak from lived experience, and aren’t afraid to hold the government accountable. But they weren’t picked not because they weren’t capable, but because they wouldn’t play nice. They wouldn’t stay quiet. And so, we’re left with you candidates who are seen as more compliant than courageous.
MITRA: A Repeated Drama With No Proper Ending
Ah yes MITRA, the so-called saviour fund for Indian community transformation. RM100 million a year. Sounds huge. Sounds hopeful. But ask any NGO or community group that applied: “Berunding.”
Under Ramanan, we saw mismanagement and arrogance. Now, it’s passed on to Prabakaran who, to be fair, inherited a broken machine. But the same complaints continue. Silence. Delay. No clear communication. NGOs told to fill forms again and again, only to be ghosted.
And when community leaders or civil society dare raise questions, what do we get? Not answers we get defensive press statements. “The government is committed to Indian issues.” Great. But we want receipts, not rehearsed lines.
“We’re Not Sidelined” That’s Not What The Community Feels
And while we’re on the subject of being sidelined, where was your voice, Madam Deputy Minister, during the issue surrounding the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple one of the oldest temples in the city, long before Kuala Lumpur became what it is today? That temple is more than just a place of worship it’s a living symbol of the Indian community that once filled that area, worked in nearby estates, ran small shops, and built their lives in that very neighbourhood. Where there is a community, there will naturally be a temple that is the nature of human settlement, culture, and identity.
And yet, silence.
Don’t come back to us with the tired line, “Do we really need so many temples?” That’s not the point. The question is did you go to the temple, did you sit down with the trustees, with the residents, with the elders who carry the oral history of that place? Because you’re not just any MP you are the Deputy Minister of Unity. If you won’t stand up for symbols of our community’s presence, who will?
Let’s talk real unity. Not slogans. Not posters. Real unity means showing up. It means protecting cultural spaces, schools, and heritage not just during Deepavali events but when they’re under threat.
So here’s a suggestion: instead of telling us things are “not sidelined,” give us facts. How many temples has your ministry supported in the last year? How many Tamil schools received federal maintenance or expansion support?Publish the report. Show the list. Let the people see.
Because when the public sees proof, there will be fewer accusations and more acceptance. When your team is clearly in action mode, there’s no need for public defence the progress will speak louder than any press statement.
And let me tell you this if that level of clarity and readiness existed, you wouldn’t be struggling to speak to the media about the Indian community. The words would come naturally. The wisdom would be lived, not rehearsed.
Let’s Be Honest, Not Defensive
We want Prabakaran and Saraswathy to succeed. We want them to be bold. But that means facing tough questions. Don’t be another set of leaders who say “We are working hard,” but can’t point to one meaningful, lasting policy that uplifted the Indian community in a real way.
We are tired of glorified MITRA press conferences. We want grassroots feedback forums. We want independent audits. We want regular reports published publicly not buried in bureaucracy.
Because if you’re really doing the work, you shouldn’t fear accountability.
Don’t Just Represent Indian Faces Represent Indian Realities
It’s not enough to be Indian. You have to serve Indians. You have to walk with them, not just show up at Thaipusam with garlands and photographers. You have to challenge your own party not just echo the PM’s press line.
True representation means saying things that are uncomfortable even to your own coalition. Can Prabakaran and Saraswathy do that? Can they stand up and say, “This is not enough for my community” even if it risks their position?
That’s what leadership is.
Accountability Isn't an Attack It's a Responsibility
Prabakaran, I’ve seen your speeches before. You’re young yes and undeniably bold. You stood as an independent candidate, took on a political heavyweight, and beat Tian Chua chosen opponent in Batu. That alone took guts. Even if I didn’t personally support you back then, I respected that moment. You represented possibility the youngest MP, and an Indian one at that. Many in your shoes would’ve backed off. But you didn’t. You stood and won. Credit where it’s due.
And what followed after your decision to work together with Tian Chua showed maturity. He could’ve easily dismissed you, but he didn’t. He extended an olive branch. And you accepted it. That was a rare moment in Malaysian politics. One that put the people before ego. That was the spirit we hoped you’d carry forward.
Go and speak to the elderly Indian politicians. Reach across the aisle. Some of them have been in the game far longer than you. They’ve seen the rise and fall of community hopes many times over. Just because they belong to a different party or have been openly critical of you, it doesn't mean they’re your enemy. In fact, many of them might surprise you their criticism is often rooted in disappointment, not hatred. And sometimes, wisdom comes from those who no longer have anything to gain.
Go meet them. Sit down. Ask questions. Listen.
They may not agree with your method, but if your heart is in the right place to uplift the Indian community they’ll see that. And even if they choose not to help, believe me, they will not come after you again. They will back off, because they’ll know you’re trying. And more importantly, the community will see that you’re putting ego aside for progress.
That’s the kind of maturity we’re hoping for. That’s the spirit of leadership this generation needs to embody not just youth, but humility.
But fast-forward to today when I watched your recent podcast interview, something didn’t sit right. You looked uncomfortable. Struggling to express even the basics of your role. Talking about the Indian community the very people you’re entrusted to serve came across like an afterthought. There was no spark. No clarity. No insight. It felt like you were reciting lines rather than speaking from lived experience.
Let me be honest: there was more energy when you defended your personal journey than when you spoke about MITRA or policy work. That imbalance says a lot. When criticism comes your way, you seem prepared with a bulletproof response. But when asked about community issues, the answer feels empty. That’s not leadership. That’s performance.
And let me tell you what happened next I clicked another tab. Opened a song. Monica, Monica was playing. Then I came back to your interview. Still the same. Still waiting for something to click, to make me believe in your words again. But nothing came.
This isn’t meant to condemn you. It’s not personal. It’s just reality. You once inspired people. You once symbolised courage. But now, you need to step up and back your image with substance.
Start with MITRA. Show us your report card. How many lives were improved? How much money was disbursed? What were the selection criteria? Give us the breakdown state by state, category by category. Publish it. Make it public.
Why not implement the following reforms?
- Annual MITRA Impact Report: Show exactly where the RM100 million went. How many lives did it change? How many businesses were supported? Publish it openly.
- Community Townhalls: Instead of closed-door events, go on the ground every quarter. Let the people question you. Face them. Earn their respect.
- Third-party Monitoring: Bring in respected community auditors or civil society groups to oversee MITRA disbursements. No more “I didn’t know” excuses.
- Digital Transparency: Make a proper portal where applications, approvals, and disbursement updates are posted in real-time.
This isn’t rocket science. It's just basic good governance.
If you’re serious about “not sidelining the Indian community,” then make it visible. Let the data speak. Let the results do the talking. No need to be defensive if you’ve done the work.
When you do that, criticism will turn into trust. Questions will turn into collaboration. You won’t need to defend yourself on podcasts anymore the progress will speak for you.
Because real leadership is not about reminding us how hard you worked to get here.
It’s about proving every day why you deserve to stay.
Final Word We Are Watching, Not Waiting
The Indian community in Malaysia has become more mature, more informed, more vocal. We are not waiting to be rescued. We are building our own spaces, demanding transparency, and calling out tokenism when we see it.
So to our Indian leaders in high positions: your journey is our pride. But your silence or sugarcoating is our pain.
Be bold. Be honest. Be different from the ones before you.
We are not asking for favours.
We are asking for justice.
Speaking on behalf of the Indian community
Annan Vaithegi (annanvaithegi@icloud.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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