THE United Rights of the Malaysian Party (Urimai) is an independent political party that wants to effectively represent the depressed and discriminated sections of the Malaysian society.

In this respect, Urimai is not a race-based or religion-based political party.

While the party is waiting for registration, this has not prevented its interim council from forming state committees in Penang, Perak, Selangor, Kedah, Johor and Pahang.

At the moment, the party functions as an Indian-based party to address the social, economic and political representation of the majority of the Indian community who are poor, discriminated and disillusioned.

Urimai has no qualms from taking up the issues of other ethnic communities in the country. Unlike the fake multi-racial parties such as DAP and PKR which form the core components of the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led coalition, Urimai does not claim that it is multi-racial in nature.

Due to the fact that Urimai has taken up the various issues of the Indian community within the last six months of its formation, the party has found traction in the Indian community.

This is why despite the presence of various Indian political parties in the country, Urimai is regarded as the “only” Indian-based party.

No compromise on race, religious matters

The time might have arrived for Urimai to think of partaking in a political coalition in the country.

The PH-led coalition is definitely out of Urimai’s political equation. The other option is the Perikatan Nasional (PN) opposition coalition of PAS and Bersatu.

There are currently two Indian components in PN - the newly-formed Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP) and while another is not a political party but a special political vehicle in PAS - the Non-Muslim Supporters Wing (DHPP).

PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has recently said that while Urimai might not be admitted as a component party of PN, there is possibility it could be considered as a partner.

While I appreciate the statement by Tuan Ibrahim, Urimai has not made any decision yet to be aligned as a formal partner with PN.

Tuan Ibrahim might be right in saying that Urimai might not be considered as a component party because of the existence of the two Indian-based representation in PN, one with Bersatu and the other an appendage of PAS.

Urimai is against the idea of being a component party in the PN. Formal or even informal political partnership arrangement is something in the distant.

Urimai needs to strengthen its political base in the Indian community in order to function effectively, honestly and independently. It is only on the basis of strength that Urimai might be in position to talk with PN or its component parties.

Urimai should not be placed in the same obsequious level as the MIPP or the DHPP. Urimai’s future political alliance with PN will depend on how the opposition coalition will address the rights of non-Malays in the country.

The position of PN on ethnic, religious, educational and political rights of non-Malays in general and Indians in particular will have to be articulated.

Urimai’s future political alignment with PN or any other political coalition must be predicated on the basis of equality and respect.

Definitely, Urimai will not want to exchange one political hegemony with another. - July 2, 2024

Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council. 

https://focusmalaysia.my/ramasamy-urimai-will-remain-an-independent-party-wont-blindly-embrace-pn/