Indians have power to decide outcome of GE14, says Dr Mahathir

Kamles Kumar Diyana Ibrahim Kamles Kumar, Diyana Ibrahim Updated 8 years ago · Published on 4 Feb 2018 6:51PM · 3 Comments

Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife, Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, arriving at a Ponggal celebration in Kapar today. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, February 4, 2018.

DR Mahathir Mohamad has pledged to the Indian community that he will uphold their rights if he becomes prime minister again. 

He said the Indian community was expected to play an important role in and could influence the outcome of the 14th general election.

“I’m sure the Indian community will play an important role. They may be small in number, but Indians hold the decisive vote,” he said during his speech at a Ponggal celebration in Kapar today. 

The Pakatan Harapan chairman said he would not let the community’s rights be forsaken and would defend them if Indians gave him their support in the next election. 

“I pledge to you, should I once again become PM, I will take good care of the people in the country. Surely, I will pay attention to the needs of the Indian community. 

“That is my pledge. I know you will be able to support us so that the pledge will become a reality,” he said to a 300-strong crowd at the event today, which marked Dr Mahathir’s first attempt to engage the community since becoming PH’s candidate for prime minister.

He also said that the Indian community would cast the deciding vote in the next general election.

During his 22-year tenure as prime minister, Dr Mahathir had borne accusations of not doing enough to uphold the rights of the Indian community. 

Prime Minister Najib Razak, meanwhile, had said that during his eight years in power, he had done more for the Indian community compared with Dr Mahathir. 

Dr Mahathir, who is also patron of the Malaysian Indian Advisory Council, said he acknowledged the problems the community faced and pledged access to better education for Indian youth if he becomes prime minister. 

“Indians are a very dynamic community. They are very keen on their children’s education. Indians want to better themselves,” Dr Mahathir said. – February 4, 2018.

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Comments

  • Dr. Mahathir doesn't have the indian vote .... he has the vote of the english speaking indians, but even that he has because their vote will be with the opposition even if Dr.Mahathir wasn't there .... As for his promises, it has no weight amongst the indians ....I am not saying this out of anger, i am just saying it because thats how i think it is...... I truly suspect that the majority of the indian votes have swayed to BN ....I don't think think the indians think highly of BN, but i think the indians will base their support on this election on the idea that if your options is limited between two bosses you can't trust, the best thing to do, is choose the one that pays more ...

    Posted 8 years ago by Nehru Sathiamoorthy · Reply

  • And yes i think the indian vote is going to be a deciding vote this time around ...this is because all of the chinese and most of the malays have already decided which side they are going to vote for - its only the indians that still have not decided their side. Also indians tend to vote by block. In a closely fought battle like this, the small percentage of indian vote can sway fortune to this side or that side.

    Posted 8 years ago by Nehru Sathiamoorthy · Reply

  • Looks like Chinese votes are not important. Mahathir has not promised to remove NEP.

    Posted 8 years ago by Meng Kow Loh · Reply