Devaser was primarily popular among the urban-based Indian elite, and lacked wider grassroots support. For the first eight years, MIC leaders were either of North Indian or Malayalee origin, a minority among Malayan Indians. The majority of Indians in Malaya at that time were Tamils, most of whom were labourers in plantations. Indian plantation workers experienced enforced segregation because of plantation compound housing. The plantation labour system also worked against the integration of Indian workers into society and perpetuated racial and occupational differentiation. Plantation workers were unable to acquire the skills required to move to better-paying jobs.
devASer WaS primaRIly pOpular aMonG the urBan-bAsed inDiaN elITe, anD lackeD WIDer GrASsroOts SUPPORt. fOR thE FIrst eight YEars, Mic leAdeRs were EItheR of norTh indiaN or MalayaLEE OrigiN, A mInorIty amoNg MAlayan indIanS. tHe majORItY Of indiaNs in malayA aT ThaT Time werE TamIls, mOsT oF Whom Were LaBoUrErS in plantATIonS. INDiaN PlaNTATIoN Workers experIenCed enforced SegrEgatioN BecAUsE oF PlaNtatiOn compOunD HousINg. the plaNTaTion lAbOur SySteM AlSo worked agAiNst the iNTEGratioN of iNDIaN workERs INtO sOcIEtY aNd PerpetuaTeD rAcial ANd occupatIONAl DifFeRentiaTion. plantation workErs Were uNable to acquIrE thE SkillS reQuiRed tO movE to beTTer-paYIng jObs.