Latest news with #UnitedRightsofMalaysianParty
Focus Malaysia
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Ramasamy: The 13MP's presentation is dramatic though it's just an old wine in new bottle
MINUS the showmanship and drama surrounding the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) presented in Parliament, there is nothing extraordinary about this latest development agenda for the next five years (2026-2030). Prime Minister Datuk Anwar Ibrahim assured Malaysians that the plan would shift from an ethnic-based to a needs-based approach. In this way, he claimed that no Malaysian would be left out of the mainstream of development. However, in practice, the 13MP mirrors previous five-year plans. The Bumiputera community continues to be prioritised, receiving substantial financial assistance to secure their strategic economic participation. Anwar is undoubtedly aware of the political implications of deviating from this entrenched formula. In comparison, the Chinese community was promised the development of their new villages while for the Indian community, the focus was on expanding their participation in skills-based programmes. These gestures appear more tokenistic than transformative. Still drawn along racial lines That the attention paid to the Bumiputera community contrasted with these symbolic offerings to others – including the Orang Asli – belies the rhetoric of inclusivity. Despite its claimed departure from race-based development, the 13MP continues to reinforce the dominant racial hegemonic structure of previous plans. Anwar may extol the virtues of this 'wonderful' plan but beneath the cosmetic changes, it is largely a continuation of the status quo. Whether the plan can be implemented effectively – especially given the rise in foreign debt – remains to be seen. Strikingly, while Anwar was celebrated merely for presenting the plan with chants of 'Kekal Anwar' (Anwar to continue), a major rally just days earlier saw an estimated 200,000 people in Kuala Lumpur demanding his resignation under the slogan 'Turun Anwar' (Anwar to resign). In the run-up to the 13MP's announcement, pro-government social media was abuzz with claims of Anwar's pivotal role in brokering a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia. Anwar beamed as though he were ASEAN's chief peacemaker. Yet, this overlooks the likely influence of US pressure – particularly tariff threats – that played a significant role in forcing the two sides to the negotiating table. Even if Anwar did have a minor role in the ceasefire, it raises the question: why has the long-standing conflict in Southern Thailand where Malaysia is the official moderator has remained unresolved? Anwar frequently positions himself as a champion of oppressed Muslims globally yet remains conspicuously silent on the plight of Thai Malay Muslims. – Aug 1, 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: Anwar Ibrahim/Faceboo
Focus Malaysia
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Ramasamy's Urimai in war of words with MIPP over who fights for Indian rights, 'who seeks backroom deals'?
Editor's Note: A verbal exchnge has erupted between two Indian-based parties – the Malaysian Indian People's Party (MIPP) and the United Rights of Malaysian Party's (Urimai) – after the latter's Selangor chief K. Gunasekaran accused Perikatan Nasional (PN) of failing to draw 'real Indian leaders' with grassroots support. Gunasekaran has further pointed out that Indian voters have yet to rally behind the opposition coalition despite growing disenchantment with the Madani administration. Such statement has prompted MIPP deputy president S. Subramaniam hit back at Urimai leaders by describing the latter's chairman Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy as an 'opportunist' with no real credibility among the Indian community. WE TAKE note of the remarks by Malaysian Indian People's Party (MIPP) deputy president S. Subramaniam who questioned the United Rights of Malaysian Party's (Urimai) registration status. Let the record be clear. Urimai is fighting for its constitutional right in the courts – not sneaking through the backdoor –by hijacking another party's name and structure. On the contrary, MIPP was not born from public mandate or grassroots struggle. It emerged quietly without transparency through a technical backroom takeover. If MIPP wants to talk about legitimacy, let them first reveal their actual membership. Beyond Subramaniam, its president S. P. Punithan and information chief Suthan Mookaiah, who else is with them? By contrast, Urimai has already formed active state coordinating committees in eight states. We are building our base openly through the people – not through deals and shortcuts. Let us also look at how these political actors left their former parties. Our interim council chairman Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy resigned from DAP when he was the party's Penang deputy chairman. He walked away from a strong position and from the prospect of GLC (government-linked company) appointments and honorary titles. He did it to build a genuine struggle for the Malaysian Indian community. However, MIPP's leaders left MIC not because of any principle but because they could not secure positions in the party. MIC itself has been rejected by the community. If MIPP believes that MIC's cast-offs can suddenly win back Indian support, they are fooling themselves. MIPP is not a new beginning. It is simply a Trojan horse within Perikatan Nasional (PN) with no organic support or moral compass. MIPP can try to mislead PN leadership about its reach and support. But the Indian community knows who these people truly are. No amount of repackaging will hide the truth. On the other hand, Urimai is here to build real political representation, social justice and reform. We are not here for favours. We are here to fight for the future of our people. – July 31, 2025 David Marshel is the United Rights of Malaysian Party's (Urimai) deputy chairman. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia
Focus Malaysia
13-07-2025
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
'Turun Anwar' rally: A call for unity to save Malaysia from impending crisis of sorts
THE United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) is calling on all Malaysians – Malays, Chinese, Indians and all others who believe in justice and democracy – to participate in the peaceful 'Turun Anwar' rally which is a nationwide call for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to step down. Editor's Note: The PAS-backed rally will take place on July 26 (Saturday) at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur. Anwar who has yet to complete even one full term in office has betrayed the trust of Malaysians by failing to uphold democratic values. The most alarming issue is his interference in the judiciary – a cornerstone of democracy. His refusal to extend the service of former chief justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat despite her stellar record and the quiet removal of other senior judges raises serious concerns of executive overreach. In stark contrast, the term of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, a figure mired in controversy has been extended three times under Anwar's leadership. Under Anwar's administration, Malaysia has drifted further into a crisis of inequality. While the PM speaks grandly of foreign direct investments (FDI) and national progress, ordinary Malaysians are left to suffer: The Sales and Services Tax (SST) tax hike has further squeezed the working and middle class. Consumer prices are soaring, placing essential goods out of reach for many. Youth unemployment remains high with no clear policy direction to create meaningful, sustainable jobs. Public healthcare and education systems are under-funded while lavish funds continue to flow into mega projects that do not benefit the rakyat. 'Progress has stifled' Anwar has become a symbol of broken promises and elite capture. The rhetoric of reform has been replaced by authoritarian practices and protection for political allies, ie the use of state institutions like the MACC as weapons against opponents. Malaysia's foreign debt is now in the trillions of ringgit yet Anwar continues to promote the illusion of economic stability. Promised billions in FDIs remain invisible with no factories, jobs or infrastructure to show for them. The people are right to ask: Where is the progress? Where is the prosperity? The so-called Madani Economy has failed to lift the rakyat's quality of life. Instead, Anwar's leadership has plunged the country deeper into political instability, economic stagnation and social discontent. The Turun Anwar rally is more than just a protest. It is a collective cry from the people – a demand for accountability, justice and the restoration of democracy. Malaysians from all walks of life, all races, and all religions must come together to reclaim the future of the nation. Let this be a turning point in Malaysian history. Let us stand united against tyranny, corruption and incompetence. Let July 26 be the day Malaysians rise – not for any political party – but for the nation. – July 13, 2025 Former DAP Bagan Dalam state assemblyman, Satees Muniandy, is today the interim secretary of United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai). The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Images credit: HarakahDaily
Focus Malaysia
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Ramasamy at odds with Sivakumar, Thulsi's appt to DAP's CEC: They'll have no impact on Indians
I REALLY wonder how the appointment of V. Sivakumar, the former short-lived human resources minister along with Buntong (Perak) state assemblywoman M. Thulsi to the DAP's central executive committee (CEC) can boost Indian support for the party. I think DAP is finally experiencing the syndrome of closing the gates of the stables after the horses have bolted. Appointing the two Indian politicians will have no significant impact on the party in terms of getting the support of the Indians in the country. Indian support for DAP in the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition reached its peak in the 2022 general elections. However, the support dropped in the state elections in 2023 and from then onwards, Indian support for both DAP and PKR declined firther. The recent by-elections provide a good indication of the waning support for the so-called multi-racial parties such as DAP and PKR. As these parties are focusing their attention on the Chinese and Malays respectively, the concept of multi-racialism has been rendered hollow and meaningless. The rise of nepotism in PKR and the appeasement politics of DAP leaders predicated on power, positions and perks have rendered both unattractive to Indians. Appointing Indian leaders without any support base among the grassroots Indians might not ingratiate the Chinese-dominated party to the rank-and-file Indians. It is well and good to argue from the comforts of distance about the heroic efforts of DAP to enlarge its Indian support base. The party has proven beyond reasonable doubt that it cares little for Indians and Malays. These ethnic groups are window dressing for the DAP to reveal its multiracial character. By the way, multi-racialism is dead and gone in DAP or PKR. Indians cannot be lured into this political trap in the future. Indians in the country want both [parties to lead them on the basis of dignity and pride. This is essentially what the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) intends to do. – June 26, 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.
