Malaysian Indians – a crucial piece of our nation's glory
The Malaysian Indian community, constituting just 7% of the population which makes it a minority, has faced systemic marginalisation and discrimination for decades.
Recent incidents, such as the call to remove them from Malaysia, the forced relocation of a Hindu temple and blatant acts of racism highlight this entrenched prejudice that continues to undermine their dignity and rightful place in society.
Most Malaysian Indians are descendants of labourers brought in by British colonisers in the 19th century to work in plantations, railways and docks.
Despite their contributions to Malaysia's development, they were relegated to low socio-economic positions post-independence, with little upward mobility. This worsened from 1981 to 2003.
Various studies show that Indians face the highest levels of discrimination in employment (51%), housing (35%), and interactions with law enforcement (21%).
For example, Indian men have a job callback rate of just 3.66%, compared to 43.88% for Chinese women. Indians own less than 2% of Malaysia's national wealth despite being the third-largest ethnic group.
This economic disenfranchisement has led to higher rates of poverty, juvenile delinquency, and social issues within the community, which is a major obstacle for the community and the nation.
Unbridled bias
The absence of anti-discrimination laws exacerbates these challenges.
Despite constitutional guarantees of equality, landlords openly impose racial requirements in rental listings, and language prerequisites are often used as a proxy for ethnic exclusion in job postings.
The forced relocation of the Jalan Masjid India Hindu temple reflects a disregard for minority religious heritage. Hindus also report the highest rate of religious-based discrimination at 40%, further alienating them from Malaysia's multicultural ethos.
Malaysia lacks anti-racial discrimination laws, which officials claim are unnecessary. This allows discriminatory practices to thrive unchecked.
Limited inter-ethnic interaction fosters ignorance and prejudice. Many Malaysians view Indians through stereotypes rather than engaging with their rich cultural heritage.
Indian representation in government is less than 4%, half their population percentage. This means their concerns are often sidelined in policymaking.
There is no more active, participative or proactive Indian political party. Without the MIC, there is no longer a strong voice in parliament to speak up for the Indian community.
Incidents like a corn seller refusing to serve Indians, or derogatory remarks by public figures, perpetuate stereotypes and embolden racist behaviour.
The controversy involving three Era FM deejays and tweets on X by @AmirRidhwann on March 5 and March 26 respectively are seen as provocative and racist.
They reflect broader societal prejudices that have yet to be addressed.
What can be done?
As pointed out by several NGOs, we need anti-discrimination laws to prohibit racial racial profiling, discriminatory housing practices, and exclusionary hiring policies.
We should penalise hate speech and acts of racism with stricter enforcement mechanisms. Selective enforcement of the law cannot be allowed.
On the other hand, there are steps we can take to address the issue. This has been raised frequently but it bears repeating.
Increase Indian representation in the public sector through affirmative action programmes. Local authorities and state governments must ensure equitable treatment of minority religious sites through transparent guidelines for land use.
Allocate funds for Indian-owned businesses and scholarships for deserving Indian students. Create programmes tailored to teach economically disadvantaged Indian families basic skills to promote greater economic agility among the rural and even urban poor Indians, especially women.
Promote understanding among different ethnic and religious groups through frequent interfaith dialogues and cultural events. Such interation must start at school to plant the seed of deep-rooted understanding and appreciation of every race and religion.
The national unity ministry should encourage Indian artists, writers, and activists to share stories that challenge stereotypes. Promote success stories of Indians, particularly those whose contributions will help build our nation, be it in science, medicine, the arts, economics, or aerospace. Movies can also be made to promote unity.
The youth and sports ministry should get community groups to advocate for Indian participation in sports, youth leadership, language, education, poverty eradication and cultural pursuits. Get the Hindu Youth Organisation, Bell Club and Malaysian Hindu Sangam to join forces, as they did from the 60's to the early 80's, to bring change.
With the help of the Malaysian Media Council, the National Union of Journalists, and the Press Club, the communications ministry can shape a culture of reporting that highlights the contributions of Malaysian Indians instead of perpetuating stereotypes. Bigoted and extremist statements continue to come through media channels, underscoring the need for journalists to be aware of sensitivities when writing on racial issues.
The ministry of information must take the initiative to produce educational materials that showcase the historical contributions of Indians to Malaysia's development, and this must be included in the school curriculum. We must promote anti-racism campaigns through social media platforms, spearheaded by the MCMC and the unity ministry. These campaigns must be highlighted through all media channels and on social media. The challenges faced by Malaysian Indians are not just an indictment of systemic failures but also a call for collective action.
Restoring pride and honour requires meaningful policy reforms, active community engagement, and societal introspection about Malaysia's multicultural identity.
The government must lead by example in fostering inclusivity, while Malaysians must embrace diversity as a strength rather than a division. Only then can the nation truly uphold its promise of equality for all citizens.
As Malaysia charges forward, embracing inclusivity and tackling systemic inequalities, it is crucial for the Indian community to flourish alongside other ethnic groups.
Their story embodies the universal quest to belong in a globalised world, highlighting the power of diversity and unity.
Indians are the backbone of our nation, and they are eager to continue contributing to its prosperity — just as they always have. Let's not overlook their vital role in upholding our nation's harmony, prosperity and glory.
Ravindran Raman Kutty is an experienced communications and public relations practitioner and has been involved in social activism for over 30 years.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
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