Malaysian Indians Socio-Economic and Political Status
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An independent paper on Malaysian Indians socio-economic and political status presented at an International conference on Indian Diaspora.
by Prof. Dr Lim Teck Ghee fromUniversity College Sedaya International, Malaysia
Summary
Dr Ghee’s presentation examined what happens when communities are excluded, mismanaged or misunderstood in the host country. He said that excluded diasporas in the Commonwealth need to be part of the discourse and presented a case study of marginalised Indians in Malaysia. Dr Ghee gave an historical/social snapshot of the Indian community in Malaysia, saying that the empirical data on the well-being of Indians in Malaysia is muddled by a lack of transparency and disclosure. Dr Ghee discussed the Hindu Rights Action Force which formed in 2005 and articulated various issues affecting the Indian Malaysian community such as neglect and marginalisation, unresponsiveness of the political system, and the blocked avenues of communication and expression. Dr Ghee discussed the stumbling blocks to integrating diasporas, which include a narrow nation building perspective and state policies based on differentiating between immigrants and Malays. He talked about the lessons to be learnt from the Hindu Rights Action Force, such as a need for policy formulation based on independent and neutral analysis of empirical data; need for participation, transparency and accountability in public policy implementation; the need for free and independent media; and the need for higher standards of governance and greater tolerance of dissent. He added that findings from the World Bank/IDA showed that resilient and competitive economies were marked by high social cohesion and low conflict; inclusion of all social groups; access and equality of opportunity; rule of law; vibrant democratic institutions; and neutral and race blind bureaucracies and open societies. Dr Ghee concluded his presentation by commenting on ways to avoid conflicts which involve learning from past lessons but not being imprisoned by past paradigms. He added that social rights should not be delayed or reduced because of perceived economic disparities and that there is a need to match rhetoric with action in practising tolerance and fairness as a prerequisite to the development of a modern, pluralistic society.
University College Sedaya International, Malaysia
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