Ramasamy takes a swipe at RSN Rayer for riding on Silambam to pursue politics of credit-grabbing
He cited the example of the Indian martial art Silambam which was initially excluded from the 2026 SUKMA Games but later reinstated following protests from the Indian community.
The Jelutong MP known for his boisterous behaviour in Parliament took Indian opposition leaders to task for 'making a mountain out of a molehill' by arguing that Indian Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders were unfairly criticised for not championing Silambam's cause.
Yet, Rayer knows well that without the hue and cry from the Indian community, Silambam would have remained excluded from the 2026 Sukma Games to be hosted by Selangor.
What is there to credit both the federal and state governments for reinstating the event when their action came only after public outrage?
'Bootlicking gesture'
Instead of advising the Selangor state government to include Silambam, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh chastised critics for racialising the issue.
Strangely, she passed the buck to the Selangor SUKMA committee when – as SUKMA chairperson – she could have prevented the exclusion in the first place. While quick to rebuke the critics, she lacked the courage to admonish the state organisers.
Rayer's comments give the impression that the federal government ensures effective representation for the Indian community.
In reality, aside from regularly praising Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the 'Gandhi-Mandela' of Malaysia, he rarely speaks on behalf of Indian Malaysians.
If he truly believed in championing the cause, he could have raised Silambam's omission in Parliament – but he didn't.
Although DAP has shed much of its pretence of being a multi-racial party, Rayer keeps the appearance of multi-racialism alive by avoiding Indian issues altogether.
Most of the time, he seems to forget he is an Indian MP – likely because speaking up might displease his party bosses.
The reinstatement of Silambam in the 2026 Sukma Games was won not by federal or state benevolence but by the persistent and trenchant criticisms of the Indian public.
Meanwhile, Indian leaders in PH appeared more focused on their sycophantic roles than on community advocacy. It is no wonder Indian support for the PH-led coalition has dwindled over the past two years. – Aug 12, 2025
Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main image credit: Bernama
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