PETALING JAYA: A former DAP assemblyman has mocked the move by the party’s Penang chapter to revive its Indian affairs bureau, labelling it as a desperate attempt to counter its dwindling support within the community.
In a statement, Satees Muniandy asked if the bureau would be able to offer “tangible solutions” to improve the lives of Penang Indians, or come up with policy papers.
He also asked if the bureau would be able to influence key decisions in state-linked companies.
“Unlikely. Instead, it will function as a rubber stamp for the state committee, organising programmes without real impact on Indian welfare or development,” he said.
Satees, who is now with Urumai, also claimed that the bureau’s revival was part of a strategy by the state chapter to sideline some Indian leaders.
He said while the move might serve internal party politics, it offered no meaningful change for Indians in Penang or Malaysia.
In announcing the revival of the bureau yesterday, Penang DAP deputy chief Ramkarpal Singh said it would serve as a platform to tackle issues such as welfare, education, and unemployment for Penang’s Indian population.
Ramkarpal, who is the bureau’s chairman, said it would also develop targeted policies concerning the Indian community which it hoped would be implemented by the state government.
He said the bureau would also host a series of Ponggal celebrations in Penang.
However, Satees, who served as Bagan Dalam assemblyman from 2018 to 2023, said the mention of the Ponggal programmes as part of the bureau’s activities “revealed its true intent”.
“It serves as an organising committee for cultural events like Ponggal, Thaipusam refreshment booths, and Deepavali open houses, nothing more.”
