KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 22 — Former DAP MP Charles Santiago has called for structural reforms to tackle entrenched socio-economic challenges facing Malaysia’s Indian community, stressing that election-cycle promises are inadequate. His remarks followed a meeting between 19 NGOs under Gelombang Saksama and Bersama leaders Rafizi Ramli, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, and Wong Chen. Santiago highlighted persistent issues including intergenerational poverty, low equity ownership, entrenched discrimination, and high dropout rates.
Permanent Reforms
He warned that “the Indian agenda cannot keep returning as an election-cycle promise,” urging the creation of permanent institutions run by professionals rather than politicians. Statistics reveal stark disparities: qualified Indian applicants receive only a 9% callback rate compared with 33% for Chinese and 13.1% for Malays. Half of Indian workers earn below RM2,600, while income inequality within the community widened by 10% — far higher than other groups. Despite forming just 6.5% of the population, Indians account for 22% of the prison population and death row inmates.
Gelombang Saksama demanded a statutory agency, a funding vehicle, and reinstatement of the Cabinet Committee on Indian Affairs. Santiago stressed only permanent, independent institutions can deliver meaningful change.
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