Dilemma for Sg Siput voters

SUNGAI SIPUT (April 23, 2013): The battle between two strong names – PSM's Dr Michael Jeyakumar and MIC's Datuk S.K. Devamany – leaves voters in a dilemma over who to choose to champion their interests.

The tug-of-war is not just between the "clenched fist" and the "balance", but between a face that is familiar and hardworking but lacking in resources, and someone who has not been tried and tested but has access to resources.

Although Devamany is known to have strong support in Cameron Highlands, where he served for 10 years, in Sungai Siput, he is a new face.

"Devamany is from Ipoh but he was not here for many years and in Sungai Siput, he is a new face. We are not sure how much he can do for us.

"Dr Kumar (Jeyakumar), on the other hand, we know very well. We have seen his work, his efforts," said R. Kalaiarasi, 40, who attended Devamany's meet-the-people session here on Sunday.

The Indian community's anger towards MIC may seem to have subsided since the last general election but their impression of the party has not changed.

"Devamany may be a good man, but MIC is not …" Meenakshi Ratnam, 38, told theSun.

This general election will be a tough fight for Devamany as the people in Sungai Siput are trying to see him separate from his party.

The people generally greeted him warmly and praised his humility.

However, their reactions noticeably changed when Devamany's MIC allies appeared.

Asked why this was so, a few who attended, said on condition of anonymity that the people here still had doubts about MIC championing their interests in the long term.

"I am not sure about his (Devamany's) influence here but if my family and I decide to vote for him, it may be because of his reputation and not in support for the MIC.

"Many of us still cannot accept MIC as the Indians' party… they always do things for themselves, their own families," said a 43-year-old man who only wanted to be identified as Manikanthan.

He said it was not easy for the people to vote for MIC again, but added that he went to the sessions organised by MIC to see how much the party was doing for the people.

A 69-year-old retired school teacher, who did not want to be named, said: "MIC cannot be in denial. They must accept that people have seen how they have been all these years."

He said MIC is offering funds to develop Tamil schools and said the Barisan Nasional (BN) government has approved the funds, but added: "But it seems like the Indians are only relevant to the government in times of election."

Acknowledging the "good work" of Jeyakumar during his tenure, especially in land issues and housing lots for the communities, M. Malliga, 50, said he has to struggle to obtain funds for development.

"But MIC is rich," she said, referring to the accessibility of funds by MIC through the BN.

She said people can see that if MIC wins Sungai Siput it has the resources and funds to help the constituents but asked: "Will this be permanent?"

Several men at a Chinese kopitiam in town shared the retired teacher's sentiment, saying: "The poor people are only visible during elections."

"We see MIC flags here and there for the last few months. They are trying to show their presence here again. We will see…" said Chau Hong, 53, who was having breakfast with some friends at a coffee shop in town.

"That MP Kumar (Dr Jeyakumar) did help the people. You ask these people doing business, they will tell you about Kumar," said Chau Hong's friend who declined to be named.

It was an interesting sight when a mechanic, who has been operating a small workshop for over 30 years, welcomed Jeyakumar into his workshop and showed him all the previous campaign brochures and letters from Jeyakumar.

Although he openly expressed his support for Jeyakumar, he refused to be named, saying: "I am doing business here, I do not want to face problems later."

Jeyakumar, who relies mainly on his service to the people and their loyalty to him and PSM, would have to struggle for the bigger picture of his service under the Pakatan Rakyat banner, while Devamany's struggle is to convince voters to trust him and MIC.

Best man win!!!