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By G Manimaran, Channel NewsAsia As Malaysians prepare to choose their next government, the minority Indian community has emerged as the group to watch.
Many Indians had taken part in anti-government protests in the past weeks, unhappy with their state of affairs.
The man under pressure is leader of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), 71-year-old Samy Vellu who is also the Malaysian Works Minister.
His decision to stay on as party president has been seen as a controversial move.
However Mr Samy dismissed any unhappiness even within party ranks and has decided to retain his presidency of the MIC.
He dropped two popular vice presidents from the party's list of candidates as he announced his bid for a parliament seat in Sungai Siput.
And not many think that's a wise move, going by the hostility from the very people he claims to represent.
Disgruntled Indians say they have been marginalised by the policies of ruling Barisan Nasional, which counts MIC as a component party.
And they blame Mr Samy, saying he has not been doing much to improve their condition.
On Indian voter said: "Samy Vellu didn't intervene when the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) protest happened. There are a lot of problems, they destroyed the temple. Samy Vellu pretends not to know anything. He is a Minister and he has to put forth his views."
Increasingly, they want Mr Samy to resign from all posts and retire from politics but the Works Minister and his team are confident that the MIC has enough support.
The man standing against Mr Samy in Sungei Siput is Dr Jayakumar, a candidate from Parti Keadilan Rakyat.
He said "I think it's good for Malaysia if...Samy Vellu loses. It's good for Malaysia if the two-thirds majority goes - not only good for political parties but good for the people of Malaysia. It will make the government sit up and be more accountable and less corrupt."
But not everyone agrees.
One voter said: "I think the problem here is being a minority. As a minority, when he goes into the Cabinet, you can't expect him to overrule and say look this is what we require because he is going to play the Cabinet line also. So that's where he has probably compromised but he could do more I think. He may shout a bit more, make other people intentions know to the Cabinet."
Mr Samy said: "I am 71. There are leaders who (are older) and are still in power. I don't see any reason that somebody must say that I must retire. Only a person who doesn't do work must retire, only the person who hasn't no knowledge of the community or no plans for the future of the community must retire."
He has won his seat since 1974 and many Indians think that is long enough.
The younger Indians, in particular, feel that after nine consecutive wins, it is time for someone else to represent the Indian community.
Mr Samy has said that this would be his last bid for parliament.
But those who think that it is one term too long, they might just vote for the opposition candidate as a protest to Mr Samy.
However, analysts say Indian community is still likely to support the MIC and the Barisan National because they want Indians to be represented in the government. - Channel NewsAsia
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