THE Indian community is confident Pakatan Harapan will look after its welfare even if the new government lacks the “Indian blueprint” that was drawn up by Barisan Nasional.

The Indians believe that when it comes to the community, PH’s manifesto promises will be fulfilled in time.

“They want to fulfil their promises, but there are many problems that the citizens do not see, but (only) the government machinery knows,” said a 39 year-old engineer who wished to be known as Selva, in Negri Sembilan.

“We do not fully know the problems left by the previous government but in time, the (new government) will be able to implement its reforms.

“To expect Malaysia to change in the short tenure it has had is impossible. We need to give the government time to fulfil its promises.

“The PH government will continue efforts to help the Indian community, including eradicating poverty. Many of us also do not have identity cards, lack education, have been left behind, and do not have the means to further their studies, which have led to many getting involved in activities like gangsterism.”

Selva was at a Deepavali open house at Rembau Square, an event attended by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office P. Waytha Moorthy and Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin. 

Home Affairs Minister Muhyiddin Yassin last month announced that the National Registration Department would soon approve 1,641 out of 3,853 citizenship applications from Indians.

Najib, on Deepavali, wrote on Facebook that  the Indian community would be more prosperous under BN rule.

The Pekan MP also expressed unhappiness that the Malaysian Indian People’s Action Plan and other initiatives for the community had come to a halt.

A retiree known as Segar, 58, said he had faith that Dr Mahathir would follow through on the promises to the community, even though the promises were not “official” like Najib’s Indian blueprint.

“Dr Mahathir did not formally endorse any promises like Najib, but he is capable of keeping his word.

“With Waytha appointed as a minister, we see the Hindraf leadership has close ties to the cabinet and can raise issues faced by the Indian community straight to the prime minister.” he said.

Rathika, 38, asked Malaysians to give the government time to fulfil its manifesto promises.

The mathematics teacher hoped for better education access for the Indian community as it was the only way for it to improve its socio-economic status.

Ramakrishnan, 36, also called on the people to stop pressuring the government and to be more understanding.

“We should not give pressure to the government, we hear that there is a debt of RM1 trillion and that is hurtful enough. We need to give them more time to fulfil the promises” said the English teacher. 

Faith in the Pakatan Harapan government is also evident among the Indian youth.

Puvindran Veerasingam, who is in Form Five, believed Dr Mahathir could fix the country’s finances.

“The previous prime minister left our economy heavilty in debt and I am confident the only person who can turn things around is Dr Mahathir.” 

Suthakaran Ramalinggam, a factory supervisor, said Dr Mahathir’s appearance in Rembau had raised the people’s confidence in Pakatan Harapan.

“The confidence we have in Pakatan Harapan is very high. He (Dr Mahathir) is willing to come down to Rembau to celebrate with us, if there were to be a by-election, the people will be behind Tun M 100%.”

Insurance agent Khashinathan Selvarajah, 34, meanwhile, said the government did not have to keep all of its promises to win the people’s confidence.

“The promises may not be completed, but the people are confident in him (Tun M) because he has been in politics for a long time.” – November 10, 2018.