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KUALA LUMPUR: In the run-up to the 8 March polls, Malaysian opposition parties are trying to make the most of the unhappiness felt by the Indian minority group.
But not everyone is taken in by the promises of the opposition candidates, especially since many don't have a track record.
The opposition took their call for change to Brickfields, an area known to be a place where many Malaysians of Indian descent often gather.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim led the main opposition parties in trying to convince voters, what he thinks, is the main issue that Malaysians are concerned about.
Anwar's eldest daughter, 27-year-old Nurul Izzah, is contesting for the first time in the constituency of Lembah Pantai.
She is taking on Barisan Nasional's three-term incumbent - Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, who is the Minister for Women, Family and Community Development.
So the face-off here is one of the most closely-watched contests in this election.
Nurul Izzah is hoping to count on supporters of the Hindu Rights Action Force or Hindraf.
She claims to be inspired by Hindraf's slogan 'makkal sakthi' which means "people's power".
She said:”’Makkal sakhti' has a big meaning because Malaysians have long forgotten that the rights of the people are supreme."
But it's not just about ideals, it's also about numbers.
About 18 per cent of the voters in this constituency are Indians and in this tight contest, their votes count.
Hindraf has become the new voice of the ethnic Indians.
One Hindraf supporter said: "So we from Hindraf will support Nurul and any other candidate who are struggling in the opposition."
“Hindraf is never against races. We want to live in Malaysia because we are Malaysians too. But BN can say that Hindraf is racial. No we are not racial. We are Malaysians and we want to live together and that's why we are together in this platform," said another supporter.
But many are also questioning just how the opposition candidates will continue to speak for the Indians, once the election is over.
The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), a component party of the ruling coalition wants voters to realise that opposition parties are using Hindraf for their own political agenda.
Before this, the opposition has not been concerned about the welfare of the Indians.
An MIC supporter said: "Once you know that there is a rift among the same society, definitely the opposition will try to get into the better one and again give them empty promises."
Voters now will have to decide which side they can trust, for a better future. -CNA/vm
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