AFTER decades of being ruled by MIC and believing it to be the only party championing their cause, Indians are now pinning their hopes for a better future on PKR, said Vasantha Kumar Krishnan.

“After being dominated by MIC for so long, the Indian community believed that MIC was the only party that could carry their ambitions and hopes for a better future. That was really what we believed,” said the PKR vice-president aspirant.

“But after 50 years, MIC has failed in terms of economic, education, social and even political execution.”

Vasantha, a former leader of Hindu rights group Hindraf, said with the “demise” of MIC, starting in the 2008 general election, Indians were looking for another platform to champion their rights.

He said they found it in PKR and its leader, Anwar Ibrahim.

“After MIC people were voted out in the 2008 general election, which you can say was because of the 2007 Hindraf rally, Indians found a new party that championed all the races.

“They see Anwar as the best person to lead the community, and all Malaysians,” said the lawyer.

More than 40% of PKR’s 800,000 members are ethnic Indians – a fact that Vasantha credits to the community’s heightened political awareness following Hindraf’s mammoth street rally in 2007.

He said Indians were now looking beyond race, and were willing to support any leader they considered capable.

“They no longer depend on Indian leaders, but (now look to) leaders of other races who are able to raise their status. And Anwar represents not just one race, but all the races.”

Vasantha said he hoped to bring the wishes and demands of grassroots supporters to the party’s top leadership.

“I am from the grassroots, and I want to bring up the problems they face. For all races, not just Indians.”

From September 22 to October 28, PKR members will vote via an online system for the team that will lead the party until 2021. – September 7, 2018.