Pkr S Crumbling Minority Support

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Incumbent PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli recently acknowledged something that many non-Malay voters have known for some time - support for the party is slipping.
It’s not a new phenomenon, but it is one that has deepened since the 2022 general election.
For years, non-Malays, particularly the Chinese and Indian communities, stood firmly behind PKR and Pakatan Harapan.
Their support was based on the belief that this coalition represented the promise of reform, inclusivity, and a Malaysia beyond racial politics.
But less than two years into governing, that hope is fading and fast.
Unfulfilled promises, growing apathy
The cost of living has increased, and while this affects all Malaysians, minority communities feel the pinch more acutely due to their systemic exclusion from state assistance in education, business, and employment.
But beyond economic frustrations, many feel that their concerns have been outrightly ignored by a coalition that once championed them.
Key issues that once defined Harapan’s campaign spirit, such as justice for the enforced disappearances of pastor Raymond Koh and Amri Che Mat, the case of Indira Gandhi’s missing daughter, and recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate, have either been shelved or pushed to the margins.
On religious sensitivities, controversial figures such as preacher Zamri Vinoth still enjoy impunity and government access, while minority voices urging moderation and mutual respect are often left unheard.
Indian community: From pillar to peripheral
Among the most disillusioned are Malaysian Indians. Historically, one of PKR’s strongest support bases, they are now wondering if their political sacrifices have meant anything.
The handling of the Jalan Masjid India temple dispute, for example, was a clear example of tone-deaf governance.
Perhaps more telling is the absence of a Tamil-speaking minister in the cabinet, the first such omission since independence. This is more than symbolic.
Language and representation matter, especially to a community that already feels left behind. The exclusion is seen as a direct blow to cultural identity and political dignity.
To make matters worse, traditional Indian-majority parliamentary constituencies such as Kapar and Port Dickson were given to Malay candidates in the last general election, with no adequate or winnable alternatives provided to Indian leaders.
This has fuelled the perception that PKR is pivoting into a Malay-majority-centric party, in both strategy and spirit, a move many see as no different from Umno, PAS, or Bersatu.
Even within PKR, the story is the same. In the central leadership council (2022–2025), not a single Indian leader was elected by the delegates.
All Indian representatives were appointed not by democratic support but by top-down selection. It sends a clear message: Indian voices are no longer organically represented; they are curated.
With the upcoming party election, many predict that Indian leaders will once again be sidelined.
This isn’t just internal politics, it’s a reflection of a broader trend where minority leadership is viewed as expendable in pursuit of Malay electoral support.
Rafizi’s honesty is therefore welcome, but it must serve as a catalyst for urgent change, not just an observation in a speech.
PKR deputy president Rafizi RamliRisk of losing the war
There’s a growing sentiment that many PKR and Harapan leaders are more focused on retaining positions than delivering reform.
If that remains the case, the outcome is inevitable: the party may win internal battles but lose the national war.
Minority voter turnout is expected to drop significantly in the 16th general election, especially among Indians and Chinese who once saw Harapan as their only political hope after abandoning BN-aligned parties like MIC and MCA.
Today, there is a bitter irony - under Harapan, many minorities feel more disillusioned than they ever did under BN. At least then, the marginalisation was predictable. Under Harapan, it feels like betrayal.
The decline in minority support for PKR can still be reversed but only if bold and sincere action is taken without delay.
To rebuild trust, PKR must first restore genuine representation, starting with the appointment of a Tamil-speaking cabinet minister who can effectively voice the concerns of the Indians.
Winnable constituencies must be returned to capable Indian leaders who have strong grassroots ties and can authentically advocate for their communities.
Moreover, PKR must put an end to racially divisive or appeasing rhetoric aimed solely at securing Malay votes.
Such tactics only deepen distrust among non-Malay communities and contradict the party’s multiracial principles.
Internal reforms are also essential: minority leaders must be empowered through democratic processes, not appointed as token figures to fulfil diversity optics.
PKR must rise to this challenge because a truly inclusive future depends on it. PKR must prove it still stands for the multiracial, reformist ideals it was founded upon.
Otherwise, the very people who built the foundation of this party may no longer be there to hold it up. - Mkini
R PANEIR SELVAM is the principal consultant of Arunachala Research & Consultancy Sdn Bhd, a think tank specialising in strategic national and geopolitical matters.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.

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