00:00An analyst says DAP can retain two Penang seats with significant Indian voter bases,
00:07despite a shift away from Pakatan Harapan among the community in recent state elections.
00:13Independent political analyst Emperia Sami said Bagan Dalam and Pry remain safe seats for DAP,
00:20despite its losses in Johor and Negeri's Bilan.
00:23He attributed the defeats partly to the consolidation of Malay votes under Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional.
00:31Prya Sami said Indian voters' grievances were not with DAP,
00:36but with how Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had handled issues including Temple Land Administration,
00:43matriculation quotas and the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit.
00:47Prya has 35.7% Indian voters, while Bagan Dalam has 26.5%,
00:53with both traditionally regarded as Indian seats of the ruling party in Penang.
01:00MIC held both seats when DN governed Penang until 2008,
01:05when DAP's Indian Assemblymen were elected to represent them.
01:09Prya Assemblymen, as Sundar Raju, is also a state ex-co member,
01:13while Bagan Dalam is represented by Kumaran Krishan Elias Kelvin.
01:18Kumaran does not describe either seat as vulnerable,
01:22noting that the Indian community continues to support PH.
01:26However, he acknowledged declining support with genuine concern over education,
01:32economic opportunities, social mobility and community empowerment.
01:36He called for faster reforms, while urging Mitra to become more proactive, accessible and approachable.
01:44Kumaran also stressed that DAP and PH must continue engaging the community,
01:50listening to its concerns and delivering results, as support cannot be taken for granted.
01:56DAP Youth Vice Chief Haris Linis Seluandan said,
02:00dissatisfaction with certain issues did not necessarily mean the Indian community had lost trust in DAP.
02:07However, he warned that DAP should not assume past support would guarantee future votes
02:13and must engage more consistently, especially with younger voters.
02:18Hanyu Jo, FMT.
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