Deep-rooted discrimination leaves Malaysian Indian youths feeling alienated and marginalised, report finds

Iman Research researcher Shaleen Surendra presents findings from ‘Kami Orang Sini Juga — Indian Youth Report’ at its launch in Kuala Lumpur November 12, 2026. — Picture by Yusof Isa

By Milad Hassandarvish

First Published: Thursday, 12 Nov 2026 6:06 PM MYT

Last Modified: Thursday, 12 Nov 2026 6:10 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12 — Indian youths in Malaysia are feeling increasingly marginalised, facing systemic discrimination in education, employment, and housing that leaves many feeling politically alienated, according to a new report by think tank Iman Research.

The report, titled Kami Orang Sini Juga — Indian Youth Report, launched today, highlights that this demographic is an “under-mobilised constituency” whose concerns have long been overlooked by policymakers and the political establishment.

Based on in-depth interviews with 111 Indian youths nationwide, the study paints a stark picture of the hurdles these young Malaysians face from an early age, ranging from racial hostility in schools to precariousness in the housing and labour markets.

Iman Research researcher Shaleen Surendra highlighted that the findings serve as a critical wake-up call for those in power to address the growing disillusionment within the community.

“Indian youths are an under-mobilised constituency whose concerns have been ignored for too long. Through in-depth interviews, they described the discrimination faced, experiences of precarity towards their belonging, and being politically sidelined,” Shaleen said while presenting the findings.

“The report unpacks the repercussions of leaving these issues unaddressed, namely political alienation and distrust, which will shape the next election and the political landscape of the country,” she added.

From school to workforce

The research details a cycle of systemic failure.

Many Indian youths reported experiencing verbal and, in rarer cases, physical abuse from peers and teachers as early as their schooling years.

While Tamil primary schools were noted to offer a “temporary safety” net, they do not resolve the institutional structures that alienate these students.

The struggle continues into adulthood.

The report identifies that the matriculation system disproportionately affects youths from low-socioeconomic backgrounds, hindering their access to further education.

In the job and rental markets, these youths face inconsistent standards that often lead to outright rejection, forcing many to rely on informal networks that may not always be available to those from lower-income brackets.

Political tokenism and gang recruitment

The report also touches on the political landscape, noting that Indian youth votes are currently “up for grabs.”

However, the study warns that these voters are becoming increasingly savvy to “tokenistic representation.”

Participants expressed deep frustration with agencies such as the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra), which they perceive as lacking impact and reach.

The researchers warned that this disappointment should not be mistaken for apathy; rather, it is a sign that youths are demanding leaders—regardless of ethnicity—who will champion their rights through concrete action.

The consequences of this systemic exclusion remain significant.

The study highlighted that, without proper support systems, at-risk youths, particularly young Indian boys, are increasingly vulnerable to gang recruitment, which offers them a “false sense of safety and belonging.”

A call for structural reform

To bridge the gap between Indian youths and the rest of society, the report calls for comprehensive policy changes, including:

Educational reform: Shifting the matriculation quota system to a needs-based model and implementing sensitivity training for educators.

Legal protections: Introducing anti-discrimination legislation to govern hiring processes and rental standards.

Political inclusion: Establishing town halls and youth councils to bring young people directly into policy discussions and budgeting processes.

Civic engagement: Increasing transparency in government funding and promoting civic education programmes to mobilise youths beyond traditional party networks.