What the Indian community wants

Bukit Kewangan, literally translated as 'financial hill', is situated between Jalan Pudu Lama and Jalan Raja Chulan, near what used to be the Pudu bus station. It is an interesting spot to work at not just because we are at the very heart of the city- which means horrible traffic jams too- but we host a diverse group of people: from the banking sector, locals in the transportation business, backpackers to guest house operators.

However, perhaps the most interesting characteristic of this place would have to be the Sri Ganesar Court Hill Temple located near the foot of the hill. It is often a hive of activities as Hindu devotees offer prayers at almost all times of the day.

With the election buzz going on, we thought this would be a good place to try to gauge what some of those of the Indian community felt about GE13, and what they want out of their respective candidates during the campaigning period.

And what we found out that afternoon is that not only many have already made up their minds but were even eager, after getting into a more heated discussion on the topic, to disclose their choice of party. The first man we met was a shy rotund man who took some cajoling before he agreed to talk about politics. But when he started, he sounded like the typical frustrated man on the street, angry at the government.

"The rich become richer, the poor become poorer. Politicians don’t help us. Like government loans, we try so hard but we don’t get it," the 42-year-old hotel stockist who only gave the name 'Rajan' said.

"I'm too lazy to bother with politicians," he stated, matter-of-factly.

Rajan registered as a voter in 2004 but never voted in his life. "I just look and observe what's happening. But I think the Opposition is better. Should give them a chance," he said, but added that he was not sure if he would vote this time around but will "see first."

Realising that reporters were in their midst, two men, brothers, eagerly walked up to us from a restaurant beside the temple to declare their undying support to their party and leader.

"Better for BN to be the winner. The PM has got a lot of support from the people. Indian Chinese Malay. People all like him," said V Sukumar, a 51-year-old taxi driver.

Sukumar is happy that the government has been paying a lot of attention to his community, especially taxi drivers-- from cash for tyres through the 1Malaysia People's Taxi (TR1MA) programme to talk of getting individual permits and more insurance coverage.

Sukumar, who will be voting in the Lembah Pantai constituency, had nothing to say when asked what were the issues he would like the government, or would be government, to tackle.

"Last 50 years nothing much but now Najib come in, all change already! Now he supports the taxi drivers."

His elder brother, V Appudorai, 53, is in the lorry business. "Before this, Bangsar area is gone already, this year it is coming back, Barisan Nasional is coming back," said Appudorai, who fished out a crumpled name card sporting a BN logo.

Another woman we met had just finished her prayers. The 62-year-old retiree only wanted two things: For Barisan to win, and a 50 percent discount on tolls for the elderly.

"I'm retired but I want to travel Malaysia. I drive so it's better if the government give retirees like us discount on tolls... I don't want to use public transport."

She said she had no complains on the current government, expressing how ungrateful younger people were.

"Najib has helped us. Single mothers and PTPTN study loans. Young people these days just want to topple the government."

When we asked her if she was praying for the elections, the aunty grinned and proudly told us: "I made a vow to throw 108 coconuts if BN wins. So I think God will surely help." We notice how often those we spoke to mentioned Najib instead of Barisan and wondered if analysts were correct in saying that the PM was more popular than his party.

"If it was not Najib, would you still support this party?" We asked. All of them took a few seconds and replied that they would need to see what work that leader has done.

As the weather changed from a slow drizzle that quickly turned into rain, we were forced to call it a day for our casual observations.

And as we trod back to the silent hill of our office, we thought to ourselves: At the end of the day, perhaps a brand can only be as good as what it has done... or what it is seen to have done?

Those we spoke to could not say what they really wanted from their candidates. So do the voters really know what is at stake and what they really needed from their leaders?