Zaid, a former law minister, said he found the community’s continued loyalty to Anwar “perplexing”, citing a lack of adequate representation in government and fair treatment in areas such as business opportunities and educational enrolment.

“The Indians remain marginalised and are among the poorest wage earners in the country,” he said in a post on X.

Zaid also said that the Indians had been treated with more respect during the administration of former prime minister Najib Razak.

“The 12,000 Indian voters in Kuala Kubu Baharu should instead remember the many benefits Najib gave them collectively,” he said.

Najib served as prime minister from 2009 until Barisan Nasional was defeated by Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the 2018 general election. The 10-year Indian Blueprint was launched during his tenure.

He was sentenced to 12 years’ jail and fined RM210 million for corruption in relation to RM42 million belonging to SRC International, beginning his prison term on Aug 23, 2022 after the Federal Court dismissed his final appeal.

In February, his sentence was reduced to six years and his fine cut to RM50 million by the Federal Territories Pardons Board.

In his posting on X, Zaid called on the Indian leaders and NGOs in Kuala Kubu Baharu to unite and demand Najib’s release from prison.

He said the Indian community would be showing Umno “the meaning of being law-abiding and grateful”.

Kuala Kubu Baharu has a mixed electorate, with Malays comprising 46%, Chinese 30%, Indians 18% and others 5%.

The by-election will see a four-way fight between PH, Perikatan Nasional, Parti Rakyat Malaysia and an independent candidate.

Urimai, an Indian-based party, previously urged political parties to nominate an Indian candidate for the election.