He pledged to strengthen the Indian community’s confidence in PKR, which he described as “the next biggest platform for the Indian community, apart from one other party”.

Samy said he would assist in disseminating key information, especially regarding government welfare initiatives. “I believe we want ‘street politics’ (on-the-ground presence). We don’t believe in ‘five-star politics’ because the former can attract more members than the latter,” he said at a press conference here today.

PKR vice-president K Saraswathy, who attended the press conference, said there is a communication gap between the government and the public regarding initiatives aimed at uplifting the Indian community.

“It is said that the Indian community is frustrated because nothing is being done, but the issue is that whatever is being done is not properly communicated to the people. We need to go one step further. We need people on the ground to deliver the message directly to them,” she said.