The Malaysian Insight

SEVEN candidates are standing in the Port Dickson by-election, but for ethnic Indians, who form 22% of the electorate, it is a choice between PKR president-elect Anwar Ibrahim and former Negri Sembilan menteri besar Isa Samad.

The Malaysian Insight found the community’s sentiment to be divided, with support for Anwar coming from those in the town area, and residents in outlying areas preferring Isa.

Most of those interviewed said they have not heard much about the PAS candidate or other independents.

Shantru Balakrishnan said Anwar is the clear choice as he is already in line to succeed Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister.

But, the 42-year-old believes Isa has strong support.

“Definitely, Anwar will win. But there is also a lot of support for Isa. He has helped a lot of Indians,” the human resource executive told The Malaysian Insight.

He said Indian support for Isa is strong in the estate areas, where the former Umno man, who was menteri besar for 22 years, provided a lot of help when he was in power.

“Isa is an old-timer. He did a lot for the community when he was menteri besar,” said another voter, K. Sachi, who runs a civil society organisation and lives in Port Dickson town.

Estate worker K. Raja, who supports Isa, said he does not believe allegations of corruption against the former Felda chairman and questions Anwar’s eligibility as a lawmaker.

“Generally Indians, when they leave prison, they have no jobs. They want to repent and take on proper jobs.

“But they don’t give jobs to Indians who have committed crimes. And yet Anwar, who also committed crimes, is going to become prime minister.”

Anwar was jailed on charges of sodomising Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan – also a contender in the Port Dickson polls – in 2008. He was released from prison in May after receiving a royal pardon, following Pakatan Harapan’s victory in the 14th general election.

Cowboy town with potential

Business owners in the seaside town said even though Isa has done much for the local economy, their vote will go to Anwar as he will be able to boost their living conditions, job opportunities and the constituency’s infrastructure once he becomes prime minister.

“This will be a good opportunity for Port Dickson. I hope businesses here can improve,” said restaurant owner R. Shashikumaran.

Taxi driver Sukhdave Singh said besides needing more jobs, Port Dickson should be livelier at night.

“After 7pm, it becomes a cowboy town. It has beautiful beaches, but there is a lack of activities. We need to have tourism activities. The town must be developed for tourism.”

However, all of the Indian voters spoken to are united on one thing – the town is in great need of a Hindu temple and hall to perform rites and hold events.

“There is neither a wedding hall nor a crematorium,” said Raja.

For cremations, Hindus need to drive 30km to Seremban.

The 90-year-old Sri Maha Mariamman temple in the heart of Port Dickson remains incomplete after eight years of renovations, and is an eyesore.

The temple also abandoned a crematorium project, which is 70% completed, due to a lack of funds.

The Malaysian Insight visited the temple and crematorium, and learnt that work on both has been at a standstill for more than half a year.

Devotees worship at a makeshift shed beside the construction site, which is near the Port Dickson district office where the October 13 by-election results will be announced.

The partially constructed crematorium, located in Linggi, is overrun with creepers and rusting away. Construction tools have been left behind.

Temple president V. Pannirselvam said the problem started when both projects went over their estimated budgets.

The temple needs RM2.5 million to complete both projects, he told The Malaysian Insight.

He said the temple was deregistered by the Registrar of Societies due to the renovations.

“We are now appealing to RoS. We hope that we get the funds to sort out the temple and crematorium,” said the 52-year-old.

He said if enough money is received, a community hall will be added to the temple project.

Anwar’s campaign

To reach ethnic Indians, Anwar has the help of two leaders from the community.

They are former MIC man S. Sothinathan and Danyal Balagopal Abdullah, who vacated the parliamentary seat for Anwar.

“My focus is to get the support of Indians in the estates like Tanah Merah,” Danyal told The Malaysian Insight.

Sothinathan, who is former Teluk Kemang MP, said he believes the majority of Indians will vote for Anwar as they want the next prime minister to be from Port Dickson.

“The PM candidate is coming to Port Dickson. The response from Malay and Chinese voters, too, has been very good.”

Malays comprise 43% of the electorate, while Chinese make up 33% of the 75,212 voters.

Besides Anwar, Isa and Saiful, the other candidates are PAS’ Mohd Nazari Mokhtar and three other independents. – October 5, 2018.