Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu to focus on rebuilding party

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said he would now devote his time towards rebuilding the party and reuniting the Indian community.

He called on the Indians to set aside their differences.

“Nothing is too little, too late. We can always start afresh and look towards a new beginning,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Samy Vellu said that although the morale of some members was deflated after the stunning defeat of many of the party’s candidates, he stressed that the 62-year-old MIC was still intact.

“I am confident the party will regain the confidence of the Indian voters. We need to rebuild the party and bring in young people who will take over the leadership,” he said.

The MIC contested nine parliamentary and 19 state seats in the March 8 polls but won in only three parliamentary seats and seven state seats.

It was the party's worst performance.

Samy Vellu urged party leaders at the grassroots to remain united and carry on with their work.

He said the MIC hoped to recruit at least 300,000 members from the younger generation. The MIC currently has a membership of 630,000 people with 3,700 branches.

“Towards this end, the Youth, Putera and Puteri wings will be strengthened,” said Samy Vellu.

He said many of the younger generation had voted for the Opposition in the last general election for various reasons.

He said the MIC would conduct a post-mortem on the performance of its candidates and the voting trends among the Indians.

Abdullah sworn in as PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was sworn in Monday as the prime minister before the Yang diPertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, following the victory of the Barisan Nasional (BN) in Saturday's general election.

Abdullah took the oath of office and oath of secrecy at the ceremony which was held at the Balairong Seri of the Istana Negara here at 11.10am after he was presented the instrument of appointment.

Abdullah, 68, assumes the office of prime minister for a second term.

The Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Nur Zahirah, was also present at the ceremony.

Abdullah arrived at the Balairong Seri at 11am, accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor as well as other VIPs were present at the event.

Among the VIPs were former MCA president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad and several new members of parliament (MPs).

At the ceremony, which took about 20 minutes, Abdullah signed the instrument of appointment before Chief Justice Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohamad, which was witnessed by the Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan.

Barisan won 140 of the 222 parliamentary seats in Saturday's general election, enabling it to garner a simple majority and form the government.

Abdullah retained his Kepala Batas seat in Penang by defeating Subri Md Arshad of PAS with a majority of 11,246 votes.

Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu to stay on as MIC chief

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, who crashed to a shock defeat in the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat, will continue as the MIC president and restructure and rebuild the party.

In a statement, he said he was not feeling unhappy but reminded the MIC members that they were in a very challenging period.

"Every good thing has to come to an end but there is always a new beginning" - DATUK SERI S. SAMY VELLU

“We have to move in the direction where the wind is blowing and we hope a day will come when the new wave will be with us,” he said.

Samy Vellu, who had been the Sungai Siput MP since 1974, lost to PKR's Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj by 1,821 votes.

He thanked the people of Sungai Siput for supporting him in the last eight elections since 1974.

“I am very grateful for being given the opportunity to serve this constituency and I believe I have done whatever possible to make the people of Sungai Siput happy.

“But times have changed and every good thing has to come to an end but there is always a new beginning,” he said.

Meanwhile secretary-general Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, who was one of three MIC leaders to have retained their parliamentary seats, said the MIC has to take cognisance of the results and the fact that the majority of the Indian community did not support the party in the elections.

“This is the first time we have suffered such a loss,” he said.

Dr Subramaniam, who retained the Segamat parliamentary seat, said that the next four years would be challenging to rebuild the confidence and to instil in the people the relevance of the MIC to the Indian community.

He said Samy Vellu was the president of MIC and should continue dictating the direction of the party.

MIC information chief Datuk M. Saravanan, who won the Tapah parliamentary seat, said it was normal for parties to win or lose seats in elections.

“Even Keadilan lost in many seats in the last general election but this time, it made some gains. Winning or losing is not all that the game is about but more about serving the people,” he said.

Saravanan, who is also Federal Territory MIC chief, said this was the best time to prove that “we are here not for position or power but merely to serve the people”.

Election 2008: Barisan Nasional holds on to seven states

KUALA LUMPUR: It was a day of shocks for Barisan Nasional as some of its big guns tumbled in the general election.

Though it had managed to secure a simple majority in parliament, the loose opposition alliance of the DAP, Pas and PKR managed to take control of Penang, Kedah, Selangor, Perak and retained Kelantan comfortably.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, Gerakan acting president and outgoing Penang chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon and Wanita Umno deputy head Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil were among the main casualties for BN.

Samy Vellu lost the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat on his 72nd birthday, which virtually ended a long and colourful career in politics spanning more than 30 years.

Koh, who moved from a state seat to contest the Batu Kawan parliamentary seat, lost to DAP newcomer P. Ramasamy, while Shahrizat was also beaten by a newcomer, Nurul Izzah Anwar of PKR, in Lembah Pantai.
The tide against BN also saw the ruling coalition losing its two-thirds majority in parliament and suffering casualties in Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin, Umno treasurer Datuk Seri Mohd Azim Zabidi, and deputy ministers Datuk M. Kayveas (Prime Minister's Department) and Datuk Tan Chai Ho (Home Affairs).

However, the BN retained control of other states, although it saw some of its margins shaved from the previous election in 2004.

It reigned supreme in Johor, Sabah, Sarawak, Pahang, Malacca, Terengganu, Perlis and won Negri Sembilan by a simple majority.

But the sensation was in the unexpected defeats that took a huge toll on Umno's main partners in the BN, namely the MCA, MIC and Gerakan.

MCA, which already did not have its deputy president Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy and vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek in its lineup, was further crippled with the defeat of Tan, central committee member Datuk Fu Ah Kiow, deputy Wanita chief Datuk Chew Mei Fun and vice-president Datuk Donald Lim.

As for Gerakan, of the 12 parliamentary seats it contested, it lost 10 and won only in Gerik and Simpang Renggam. It also lost 26 of the 31 state seats it vied for.

Apart from Samy Vellu, all of the other top leaders in the MIC were also ousted - deputy president Datuk G Palanivel in Hulu Selangor, vice-president Datuk S. Sothinathan in Teluk Kemang, Youth chief S.A. Vigneswaran in Kota Raja and Wanita chief P. Komala Devi in Kapar.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi retained his seat in Kepala Batas as did his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Razak in Pekan.

They and other top BN leaders monitored the results from the BN's headquarters at the Putra World Trade Centre.

The results and the upsets in many places put paid to opposition claims that the election process lacked transparency and that the Election Commission was biased towards the ruling coalition.

The results in Penang were stunning as it was the first time in 39 years that the opposition has managed to take over the state.

Koh, who was chief minister for 18 years, had an audience with the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Rahman Abbas shortly before 9pm to concede defeat.

In 1969, Gerakan, which was then a newly formed opposition party, captured the state government, winning 16 of the 24 state seats, with Dr Lim Chong Eu as chief minister.

Up against the challenges of running an opposition state government and the political realities of the day, the party formed a coalition government two years later and shortly after, it joined the ruling federal coalition in an expanded Barisan Nasional.

Muhyiddin: Anwar has tarnished Malaysia’s good name

MUAR: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has turned traitor when he spoke to foreign media in Singapore to tarnish the good name of Malaysia.

Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said it was not the first time Anwar had tarnished the image of the country and regarded his accusation that the election would be rigged as “desperate”.

He said Anwar himself used to contest in general elections under the BN ticket and was appointed a Cabinet minister and Deputy Prime Minister before he formed PKR.

“Now he is singing a different tune and I regard his statement to the foreign media in Singapore on Wednesday as an act of a traitor.

“If Malaysian general elections were rigged, he should have raised the matter a long time ago when he was a Cabinet minister,” he said after closing an agro-related seminar near Bukit Pasir yesterday.

Tajol Rosli likened the love for one’s country to the relationship between and a man and his wife.

“We love our country like we love our wife. If we quarrel, we will quarrel at home and not outside the house. We leave our domestic quarrels at home,” he said.

In KUALA LUMPUR, MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said Anwar has insulted Malaysians by using another country as a platform to run down the government.

He said Anwar who was then the Education Minister made a lot of decisions, which were detrimental to the growth of Chinese education.

“During his tenure, Anwar sent headmasters who were not well versed in Mandarin and Chinese language to run Chinese schools.

“There was not a single new Chinese school nor relocation of schools to urban areas,” he said.

ELECTION 2008: Be cautious, PM tells Chinese, Indian voters

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (centre) looking at a replica of the RM110 million project to upgrade the Penang Hospital's heart and surgical centre in George Town yesterday. At left is Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

GEORGE TOWN: If people vote out the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) and Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) tomorrow, then their communities will no longer have a voice or representation in government, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi cautioned yesterday.

The Chinese and Indian voters have to decide whether they want a louder voice in parliament, by voting in the DAP, or a bigger role in government by voting in the MCA and MIC, he said.

"It is your choice," he said to voters, "but I hope the people think carefully".

"I hope the time does not come when we don't have the MCA or MIC (in government) any more."

Abdullah was asked to comment on a possible scenario should there be a repeat of the 1990 general election when Chinese votes swung heavily to the DAP, reducing the number of MCA representatives in government.
Abdullah said it would not be in the country's interest if the new cabinet was short of representation from other BN component parties owing to their poor electoral performance.

"I do not want to form a government that is made up of only one race. I want representation from the Malays, Chinese and Indians and other ethnic groups.

"I hope the status quo is maintained in the interests of all."

Asked about comments by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that the country needed an opposition that could hold up a mirror to the government, Abdullah said: "We have always had an opposition in this country. That is not an issue."

He voiced confidence that the BN would win the election, including in states like Kelantan and Penang.

On former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's smear attacks on the government, Abdullah said it was typical of Anwar to resort to such behaviour.

He said Anwar, when in government, used to condemn the opposition for the same things he was doing now.

"Now, he is going overseas and telling the foreign media all sorts of lies to make the country look bad."

Asked if the government would increase the price of fuel this year, Abdullah said the situation would be monitored and the government would continue to ensure that the prices of goods did not burden the people.

Abdullah was speaking after officiating at a RM110 million project to upgrade the Penang Hospital's heart and surgical centre.

The project which comes under the Ninth Malaysia Plan is expected to be completed in a year.

Among others, the centre is meant to serve as a northern equivalent to the Kuala Lumpur-based Institut Jantung Negara.

Vote MIC, Indians told

KUALA LUMPUR: Indian voters have been urged not to allow emotions to rule their minds in Saturday’s general election.

“Denying votes for MIC candidates in the elections would only be denying the community a voice at the state executive councils and Cabinet level,” MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said in a statement here yesterday.

Samy Vellu said they would be preventing the problems of the Indian community from being brought to the attention of the relevant authorities to resolve them.

“I urge the Indian community to evaluate MIC’s performance in the Government. As human beings, we also have our weaknesses which can be overcome, and necessary measures will be taken to rectify them,” he said.

“The future of the Indian community is in the Indian electorate's hands. Please give your strong support to the MIC candidates,” he said.

Samy Vellu, who is contesting in the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat, said he was satisfied with the support and cooperation shown by the Indian electorate since campaigning started on Feb 24.

“I have obtained feedback from the other eight parliamentary and 19 state seats, and the response has been very encouraging. The candidates said the majority of the Indians were supporting Barisan,” he said.

“They (the community) want to assist MIC by giving their votes to Barisan. They realise that although there were rumblings on their socio-economic status, they accepted the reality that only Barisan could ensure their future,” he said.

Samy Vellu said that two MIC seats – Lunas in Kedah and Prai in Penang – termed as “hot seats” can be won by Barisan, as the two candidates had worked hard to win over the hearts and minds of their voters, especially the Indian voters.

Palanivel sees 'blue wave'

KUALA LUMPUR: The prime minister's assurance a few days ago that problems affecting Malaysian Indians would be addressed is music to the ears of Indian voters, said MIC deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's pledge would also ensure the community's continued support for the ruling coalition, contrary to the opposition's belief that there would be a swing in Indian votes this general election.

"The prime minister's assurance shows his sincerity in wanting to help the (Indian) community. But it does not mean that the MIC has done nothing.

"There is only so much we can do."

Palanivel said the recent announcement by Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein that the ministry would set up a special fund to help 85,000 Indian children in estates had also gone down well with the community.
On another note, Palanivel, who is contesting the Hulu Selangor parliamentary seat, said he was happy with the "blue wave sweeping through the constituency".

"As for Hulu Selangor, I have held negotiations with UMW Bhd, the owners of Serendah estate (in Hulu Selangor), and they have agreed that a Tamil school be built on their land. Once ready, parents need not send their children to Rawang.

"(Selangor) Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo has also allocated a plot of land for the relocation of the Ladang Escort Tamil school."

Palanivel, who is the deputy minister in the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, also said the government would construct a dedicated goods train track linking Serendah and Port Klang, which would spur industrial and housing development in Serendah, Bukit Beruntung, Bukit Sentosa and Taman Bunga Raya in Hulu Selangor.

Asked on the support for BN in the parliamentary constituency, he said the Malay, Chinese and Indians were backing BN fully.

"Our ceramah are popular. I know the support will be translated into votes for BN."

Palanivel will face Parti Keadilan Rakyat's Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

Hulu Selangor has some 58,000 voters. In 2004, Palanivel beat Ismail Kamus of Pas by 14,483 votes.

I'll do this until I stop breathing-Dato Seri

HE has been jeered at, threatened with stones, had his car blocked and even had to cancel rallies for security reasons.

Datuk Seri Samy Vellu took time out from campaigning to have coffee with The New Paper reporter.

But in his backyard of Sungei Siput, where he has been Member of Parliament since 1974, Datuk Seri Samy Vellu is still king.

His posters are all over town, and he is greeted like royalty wherever he goes, by all accounts.

So it came as a surprise to this reporter, while chasing for an interview with DatukSamy Vellu at a coffee shop in his stronghold, that a man came up unannounced to vent his feelings against the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) leader.

Noticing my notebook and camera, Mr S Ponnudurai, 45, approached my table and asked if I was a reporter.

And once he heard that I was, the venting began.

'Last time, (I gave) 100 per cent support to Barisan Nasional (in which the MIC is a coalition party). Now, I am upset with the petrol price increases and demolished temples,' said the father of four.

The businessman went on to pledge his support for recent protests by the Hindu Action Rights Force (Hindraf), and started complaining about the lack of educational opportunities and amenities for Indians.

Just then, another coffee shop patron, an Indian man who had probably overheard the rather loud conversation, started shouting: 'The Minister has done a lot for the community, he has!'

Wanting to be fair, I asked the stranger if he could cite some examples. But the unidentified man, clearly upset with Mr Ponnudurai's comments, went back to eating his roti canai (roti prata) without acknowledging my questions.

Nothing further was said by either party, and the palpable anger in the room diffused.

In his Sungai Siput stronghold, the Malaysian Works Minister remains as popular as ever. He is greeted by members of the community with enthusiasm when he makes his rounds.

A few hours later, in an exclusive interview with Datuk Samy Vellu, I asked him about the obvious tension in the Indian community, but not before being reminded of life's priorities.

'Drink the coffee first, then we talk. It won't be nice if it gets cold,' he said, after buying me coffee and kaya toast at his favourite eatery, Kedai Teratai.

Once that was done, he was prepared to get down to business.

So, Datuk Samy Vellu, how do you answer your critics like Mr Ponnudurai? Is the Indian community in trouble?

'I don't think it (the Indian community) is backward (by) 50 years. There is 30 per cent poverty faced by the Malays and Indians, and the Chinese population is at 12 per cent.

'But if you compare with the Chinese community, they are self-motivated and hardworking. The Indians are hardworking too, but somebody has to guide them.'

The Malays are getting guidance from the government, he said.

But why are the Indians so far behind in economic terms?

Hindraf and Malaysian opposition politicians have painted a very negative picture of the status of Indians in Malaysia, pointing out that they own less than 2 per cent of the economy, despite forming 8 per cent of the population.

But Datuk Samy Vellu, who is also Works Minister, believes that such statistics are working against the psyche of the average Malaysian Indian.

'If you tell a man he is having cancer, you really kill him, because psychologically, he feels he hasn't got much of a chance,' he said.

He added that his opponents have been throwing 'bombs' at people, telling them that they are 'sick' and cannot achieve anything.

On Sunday, in a heated press conference, the MIC leader had released his own statistics, showing what the BN government had done for the Indian community.

He said almost RM100 million ($43.5m) had been allocated to rebuild Tamil schools, as well as RM1m annually for the building of temples. He also cited examples of how Indian youths are getting many opportunities in institutes of higher education in Malaysia.

Calling the Malaysian opposition 'the greatest liars', he challenged them to produce their own solutions to help Indians find better jobs and improve their lot.

Why did he react so angrily?

'I feel very sad when someone insists that they are a beggar.

'I have, all the while, represented the community. I have fought so many battles in the cabinet,' he said, forcefully.

Then, in a rather frank appraisal of the task he faces, he admitted: 'Sometimes I say I don't agree with it (government decisions), I don't like it, and it's not the way to do it.'

He trailed off at this point, without elaborating on the battles he faces in Cabinet.

But it is clear that he is frustrated at being singled out as the man responsible for the problems facing the Indians in Malaysia.

Nevertheless, he puts on a brave face.

'I'm not affected by it (the accusations), but I feel sad for them (my opponents). They have done something without any solutions for it.'

But could all the anger he has seen in the past few months be the reason he has declared this as his last election campaign?

Datuk Samy Vellu looked away as if to reflect for a moment before answering: 'I want to make the last round. I think all my heart and hard work (goes) to the people.'

But he stressed that he wants to continue doing social work once his tenure as a politician ends, apart from going back to becoming a practising architect.

'All this will keep me going until I stop breathing.'

As if on cue, he then took a final gulp of coffee, before being ushered out to his next function at Kamuning Village.

Om Shakti Part 25 New Generation In MIC

ELECTION 2008: Chandra breaks silence on Anwar

(from left)Prof Dr Chandra Muzaffar and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim

PETALING JAYA: "If Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim becomes the prime minister, it will be an unmitigated disaster for Malaysia."

That was the unhesitating reply of former Parti Keadilan Nasional deputy president Prof Dr Chandra Muzaffar who broke his silence on his years as Anwar's trusted lieutenant when asked a question on the opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat's de facto leader at a forum here yesterday.

Asked why he was breaking his silence now, Chandra said it appeared that people were being deceived by Anwar.

"It is something for which I am prepared to go on record now so that people will not be deceived," he said.

Chandra, an academician who founded the reform movement Aliran and has also previously been detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA), was among many professionals and intellectuals who formed Keadilan because they were enraged with Anwar's sacking as deputy prime minister, his beating at the hands of then Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Rahim Noor and his subsequent charge for sodomy.
He was deputy president to Anwar's wife, Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail from April 1999 until he quit over differences with the party in December 2005. He contested the 1999 general election as a Keadilan candidate but lost.

Since then, Chandra has refused to publicly state his reasons for leaving the party nor voice his differences with Anwar.

Yesterday, Chandra said that while Anwar was an engaging orator, he was now "speaking differently" from when he was in government.

Chandra said many non-Malays in the country were being gulled by Anwar's multi-ethnic stand.

"Today he is taking a totally different image and it is sad that quite a lot of non-Malays believe in this man. He is saying today that he wants to abolish the NEP (New Economic Policy) and that is music to their ears.

"We are so communal that we cannot evaluate a person objectively," said Chandra, who was one of five speakers at The Star-Asian Centre for Media Studies Public Forum on the 2008 general election held at Menara Star yesterday.

Chandra said when Anwar was education minister he had forced a change in the nomenclature from Bahasa Malaysia to Bahasa Melayu, which set back national integration.

"Tunku Abdul Rahman wanted the use of Bahasa Malaysia to bring all the communities together and he (Anwar) forced Bahasa Melayu upon the school system," he said.

The government reverted to use of the term Bahasa Malaysia last year.

"Anwar (when he was Education Minister) was also responsible for appointing non-Chinese administrators in Chinese schools, which led to a political crisis in 1987," Chandra said.

He said many people did not remember the role Anwar played in resolving the Kampung Jawa clash between the Hindus and Indian Muslims in Penang.

"He said he would make sure the temple bells would not ring in the country anymore if his dictum was not accepted," Chandra said.

Speaking about the future of Malaysia, Chandra said the most important quality of a leader in a multi-ethnic country was honesty and consistency.

"When a leader speaks on sensitive ethnic issues he must say the same thing to the non-Malays as he does to Malay audiences. You cannot play games because it is very dangerous," he said.

Chandra also said that although the Barisan Nasional was flawed, there was no other viable coalition in the country.

He recalled his "bitter experience" trying to form an opposition alliance called the Barisan Alternative comprising Pas, the DAP, Parti Keadilan and Parti Rakyat Malaysia, whereby his task was to form a Just Malaysia manifesto for the 1999 election.

"The BA did very well and it was one of the best performances by the opposition but after the election Pas decided to pursue an ultraconservative Islam in Terengganu and this made it difficult for us.

"The DAP emphasised an aggressive type of secularism which does not understand the role of religion in the country. A deep chasm developed and the opposition could not hold a middle ground and I don't think they can for many, many years," Chandra said.

Nalla: Anwar only cares for himself

KUALA LUMPUR: He was Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s “closest friend” for almost 30 years and was better known as Anwar’s “tennis partner” when the former deputy prime minister made headlines in 1998.

He even “went to jail for a year for Anwar”, stood by his friend after that and gave in to Anwar’s wishes for him to join Parti Keadilan Rakyat in 2006.

"His goal is to be Prime Minister, and he will do anything to make this happen" -DATUK K.S. NALLAKARUPPAN

But now, Datuk K.S. Nallakaruppan is going around campaigning for the Barisan Nasional telling the people that they should not be blinded by Anwar like he was.

“I thought he was a friend but he was a ‘friendly-user’. No one knows him as well as I do. I can say that he only cares about his own interests.

“His goal is to be Prime Minister, and he will do anything to make this happen,” said the former Magnum Corporation Bhd executive director, who added that he “wanted to save a friend”, only to be betrayed.

“I don’t hold a personal grudge against him. I just don’t want him to destroy our nation,” he added.

Nallakaruppan, 61, was charged with unlawful possession of live ammunition, which carried a death sentence, when police found live bullets in his home in the course of investigations into the book 50 Dalil Mengapa Anwar Tidak Boleh Jadi PM in 1998.

The charge was amended and he pleaded guilty, but was acquitted and released on appeal in August 1999.

“I sacrificed my wife and two young children. Anwar’s wife did not even visit them when I was in jail. My lawyer asked him to help me and he said there was nothing he could do.

“Still, I believed in him,” said Nallakaruppan who returned from Australia when Anwar and wife PKR president Datin Seri Wan Azizah Ismail urged him to join PKR in 2006 to take care of Indian affairs and recruit Indian members.

He said Anwar had suggested he contest the 2007 Ijok by-election but “quietly told Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim (who became the PKR candidate) to set up his operations centre.”

He quit PKR after Anwar told him to withdraw from the contest for the party’s vice-presidency so that Azmin Ali could take up the post.

“He told me the next time he would field an Indian in Ijok but he has retained Khalid. I left PKR because I knew I couldn’t serve the Indian interest,” said Nallakaruppan who launched the Malaysian Indian United Party last November.

He said that when Anwar was still in power, he had told a crowd that he would “make sure the temple bells never rang again” following the Muslim- Hindu clash in Penang.

“I confronted him over his remark and he said I shouldn’t ask him anything,” he said.

Nallakaruppan said Anwar had not declared his support for the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) but now used Hindraf to gain Indian votes.

“If he declares support for Hindraf he will lose the Malay votes. He does not care for the Indians,” he said.

Future Of The Indian Community:Outside the Bn or Within the Bn?

I truly believe in the concept of sharing power and power sharing. I believe in the concept of a multiracial Malaysia. I believe that we should live in a harmonious way. I believe we should have a spirit of give and take and above all, to be fair to all communities in the country.
There are many positive developments and progress in the Indian community. Since Independence we can see that the Indian community has indeed progressed. But if there arelegitimate needs we have to address and do something about them. There are aspirations and legitimate grievances of other communities in the country as well.

Something More for Indians

I want to tell you on behalf of the PM and BN, that we are going to do something more for the Indian community. I am not saying this because of the 12th general elections. I do not want the BN government to be judged by false promises. We also know that in four or five years time we will face the 13th general election.
So, if we make false promises, if we only say in term of political rhetorics or I am saying this because I am talking to 3,000 MIC delegates, I am sure at the 13th general election BN’s credibility will be seriously affected. I am saying this because there is sincere commitment on the part of the present BN leadership to improve the conditions of Malaysian Indians.
How do we go about it? What can we do? What are the policies? What are the programmes? What are the mechanisms? These are the matters that we can discuss in the cabinet.

Dato Seri Samy Vellu & Cabinet role
I can tell you that even though, Dato Seri Samy Vellu is the only Indian representative in Cabinet, he is equivalent to several ministers. I cannot divulge the proceedings of our cabinet but I can tell you that in terms of the time he takes in cabinet, it is disproportionately more compared to others.
So, if people accuse Dato Seri Samy vellu of not fighting for the Indian community, I will be the first to deny, because he has fought for Indians. He has fought hard for the Indian community. He has spoken with full passion for the Indian community. He is very colourful in his presentation. And he does that because he is the leader of MIC and of the Indian community.
I have noted some of the major issues highlighted by Dato Seri Samy Vellu in his opening address.

Indian Future

Therefore, the Indian community has to ask itself, where does the future of the Indian community lie? Is it outside the BN or within BN?
.Will your future be better if you work within the system or work against the system? If you work outside the system, it means you work against the system, you are against the government.
The Indian community’s future lies within BN. So work within the system. We cannot have a great Malaysia or a developed Malaysia by 2020 if the Indian community is marginalised. We cannot be a developed nation if any community is marginalised for that matter. So, it is important for us to send the signal to the Indian community that their future lies with BN. We value the role of MIC. MIC and the Indian community at large have always supported BN. UMNO owes it to you. Make sure MIC continues to be relevant and have the support of the Indian community.
Let me assure you if there are legitimate and relevant issues of the Indian community, genuine issues, both the PM and I are ever willing to consider those requests of the Indian community.

BC & Indian Kids
Recently in cabinet we discovered that there are Indian kids born in the estates who do not have birth certificates. And we decided that if there are cases of children born in the estates without a birth certificate and if they can get the certification from the penghulu or ketua kampung then they are entitled to enrol in our schools.
There cannot be any kid, any child in this country denied of access to education, even if they do not have BC but they are born in Malaysia. Then they must have access to education. We have instructed the Ministry of Education to ensure this happens.

Education - Tamil Schools
I have other ideas that I have to discuss with Dato Seri Samy Vellu and the Minister of Education on how we can help meet the educational needs of the Indian community Tamil schools have to beconsolidated and need to be strengthened. We should review access to premier schools, in order to increase the Indian intake.
These are the things that we can do within the system. These are the things that cannot be obtained if people continue to demonstrate, and shout outside. Demonstration on the street is not the way we solve our problems in Malaysia.

Civil Service Employment Opportunities
On the issue of greater employment opportunities for Malaysian Indians in civil service, I have asked our Chief Secretary on behalf of the Cabinet to increase the number of Indians and non bumiputras in the civil service. I am not saying that the standard should be reduced or sacrificed but those who are good must be given opportunities in civil service. This approach will increase the employment opportunities for Malaysian Indians.

Scholarships
On the matter of more scholarships particularly for the local universities, there should be greater access. Some good ones could secure opportunities to go to foreign universities. When these scholars return, they should work for the civil services.

Micro Credit
Micro – credit is another area. We should increase the amount of micro-credit because people have to work to earn a living.

Metal Traders
Recently I spoke to the MB of Selangor stating that there are many Indian metal traders in Selangor. While some may be involved in criminal activities but many others are undertaking legitimate metal trading in Selangor. It is the policy of the BN government that if someone is undertaking a legitimate business, then their licenses should not be revoked from them.
I am trying to encourage Malaysian Indians, to take up jobs. Don’t just depend on imported labour.

Training Indian youth as Barbers
I had friendly discussions with Dato Seri S. Samy Vellu. He wanted more Indian barbers from India. I keep telling him to train our local Indians and let them become barbers. Can they become barbers? Yes, they can become barbers. We can even establish a special college to train them as barbers. Traditionally Indian barbers are very good in hair cutting.

Training Local Priests
What about Hindu priests? Try to produce Malaysian Hindu priests. If necessary have a college to train local priests. We should not depend on religious teachers from other countries. We must produce our own.

Temples
You have so many temples. Let us work together. Let us not have a repeat of the Shah Alam temple incident. If there is a need to relocate the temple, work with local MIC leadership, move the temple, make sure the deities are not desecrated.
In Shah Alam, the deities were not desecrated. I have checked and asked the PM, the IGP, and some Indian friends. The deities were not desecrated. Except of course Hindraf gave different information.
The only thing I must admit that was at fault was to move the temple one week before Deepavali. That was wrong on their part. The local authority had waited for 3 years. Why can’t they wait for one or two months more. Let us admit that we were at fault. If we have made a mistake, let us not cover up our mistake. Let us admit that we have made a mistake and apologise to the Indian Community.
We are sorry for that and in future let us not repeat that kind of a mistake. Let us fully respect other religions in this country.

Thaipusam Holiday
The PM before he declared Thaipusam a public holiday for the Federal Territories, he called me up and asked what did I think of that idea? I said, yes let us give a public holiday for Thaipusam. Dato Seri Samy Vellu has been fighting for many, many years. I know recently he brought up this matter when I was chairing the cabinet. I was happy, I had a public holiday too.

Malaysia our home
So, that is Malaysia. It is a great country. This is our home. This is your home. Believe me, we are together here as a family.
We can work together. UMNO, MCA, MIC, Gerakan and all the other parties together will work to build this beautiful and wonderful country we call home, Malaysia.
You must be proud to be a Malaysian. I am proud to be a Malaysian and I am proud to stand before all of you today. Let us continue to believe in the BN, this is our future for all Malaysian Indians and all of us.



OM SAKTHI!!!

MIC Chief Details List Of Govt Assistance For Indian Community

KUALA LUMPUR, March 2 (Bernama) — MIC President Datuk Seri S.Samy Vellu Sunday unveiled a host of statistics on various affirmative action plans in financial aid and other assistance provided to the Indian community to counter allegations by opposition groups that the community had been neglected by the government.

In a blow-by-blow account of the various aid programmes to produce better trained and skilled Indians for the job market, he said the government had provided a grant of RM300 million over the last few years to build the MIC-run Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology (AIMST) University in Kedah.

Almost RM100 million was allocated under the Ninth Malaysia Plan to assist in the rebuilding of fully-aided and partially-aided Tamil schools, of which RM30 million were approved recently, he said.

“The government also gave us an initial grant of RM8 million to build the TAFE College in Seremban, which has to-date produced 44,000 para-professionals,” he said in a statement to refute allegations that the government did nothing or little to help the Indian community.

The Opposition, he said, has spread “lies after lies” to win the election.

“They tell the people that this Barisan Nasional government does not help Indians. They are the greatest liars.”

Samy Vellu said the federal government also allocated RM1 million annually for the building of temples besides apart from providing land for their establishment.

“For the first time, Indian students were allowed into Giat Mara centres to pursue their education,” he said, adding that over 1,000 Indians had benefitted from this move.

He said the government also provided places for high achieving Indian youths at Mara Junior Science Colleges (MRSM).

“These institutions were traditionally accessible to only Bumiputera youths.However, through the efforts of MIC, Indian youths have begun to have access these resources now,” he said.

Samy Vellu also said that Indians youths received a special allocation of RM4 million through the Economic Planning Unit in the Prime Minister’s Department in 2007 of which RM1 million was allocated to 200 Indians from urban poor families who could not secure a place for in an existing skills training institute.

The remaining RM3 million had been used as a revolving micro loan fund with Yayasan Tekun, he said.

He said the government also allocated RM5.4 million to the MIC-run Social Strategic Foundation to undertake social programmes between 2004 and 2008.

Under the 2008 Budget, the Finance Ministry allocated RM3 million for micro loans of RM3,000 each through Amanah Ikthiar Malaysia for 1,000 Indians who are undertaking or interested to undertake micro businesses.

The government also allocated RM5 million to enable 1,000 Indian youths who had failed their PMR or SPM examinations to enrol themselves in skills training courses plus residential facilities and pocket allowance through Giat Mara, INPENS International College in Pulau Indah and other state-run skills training institutes.

“I want to ask the opposition:tell me what are your plans for the Indians and what have you done for them?”

Sammy Vellu said all the Opposition was interested in was to attack and belittle the BN government.

“They have no (concrete) plans to help the Indians,” he stressed.

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Tamil School Documentary-Om sakthi

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The Truth about Tamil Schools

Click here to download the PDF version

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Samy Vellu should not step down says Raja Retnam of PRIMA

MIC:Though there are unresolved issues affecting the Indian community, only the Barisan Nasional can safeguard their interests, says the Federation of Malaysian Indian Organisations (Prima). The president of the umbrella body for 115 Indian-based organisations, Raja Retnam, gives his reasons to SONIA RAMACHANDRAN

Q: A section of the Indian community appears to be unhappy with the MIC and there is fear that they will vote against the Barisan Nasional this time. What do you think?

A: With nine parliament and 19 state seats, the MIC cannot afford to lose even one seat as the Indian community is already under-represented. They cannot use the election to punish MIC.

Q: So you think the community should give the MIC another chance?

A: Yes. Its president, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, has already answered the call for change by fielding 13 new faces at state level and two at parliament level.

If MIC fails to deliver this time, there is the next election to teach it a lesson. Indians currently have one minister, three deputy ministers and three parliamentary secretaries in the government. If, let us say, MIC loses five seats, how can we expect seven representatives in the government?

Q: What will happen if they do decide to vote for the opposition?

A: The community cannot afford to gamble. For example, if the MIC representative loses the Pahang state seat, there will be no Indian representative in Pahang. So who is going to bring up Indian issues in the state assembly?

Q: But sentiments are such that there are likely to be some who will vote for the opposition, don’t you think?

A: If they do, MIC will still win but with a lesser majority. It may just lose one or two seats. Of course, fewer seats would mean it will be more difficult for MIC to play its role. It might also mean MIC losing seats in the next general election as the other component parties will ask for MIC seats based on the losses this time. It will be difficult for the community to recover those seats.

Q: What caused the discontent in the Indian community?

A: One of the reasons is that there are not enough Indian representatives at state level to raise and address community issues. MIC is a small party within the coalition. It has nine parliamentary and 19 state seats, so we don’t have Indian representatives in every state government. In states like Kelantan, Terengganu and Perlis, there is no Indian state assemblyman at all. So how can the problems be heard?

Q: Do you think the new faces introduced by Samy Vellu will make a difference?

A: Yes. The new faces know what the community wants. They also know that they have to function effectively.

Q: Do you think the new government that will be formed will be able to rectify these problems?

A: I believe the new government will be able to rectify these problems. The BN is the best government and has brought tremendous development to the country. It has never sidelined any community.

Q: But there are claims that some of the Indian community’s problems have not been resolved?

A: The non-governmental organisations aligned with the opposition have distorted and misinterpreted the issue and the opposition has capitalised on this.The Indian community wanted a change in leadership and that has been answered. Samy Vellu has clearly said this is the last term for him and that he wants to ensure everything is all right before he hands the party over to the younger generation.

Q: Do you think Samy Vellu should step down?

A: Whoever is not functioning has to go. The Indian community is unhappy with the local leaders, not the party president. Samy Vellu meets hundreds of Indians weekly.Why would they meet him if they do not want him? He has said he will step down after this term and I think he will keep to his word. I think Samy Vellu should not step down because he does his work. Age is not a factor.

Q: Do you think the Indian community is left out?

A: If it is, we can’t blame the MIC or the government. There are many other reasons. The community has to grab opportunities presented. For example, the government has allocated hundreds of seats in vocational colleges but these are not taken up. When we go around recruiting, they don’t grab the opportunity.We must teach the community how to fish, not give them the fish. The community, however, seems to be looking for the fish. There needs to be reform and a mindset change in the community. They need to empower themselves.

Q: So what is the answer for the community?

A: They should vote for the MIC candidates. The opposition cannot represent them. They can only shout in the Dewan Rakyat. We need our representatives in policy-making positions.So I’m calling on the Indian community to think rationally, intellectually. Act wisely and not emotionally. They must think about the fate of their children and community.

OM SAKTHI!!!

History

The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) is one of the oldest political parties of Malaysia, established in August 1946. It was established in the course of the continuing struggle of the inter-war tears, to end British Colonial rule, as well as in the need for representation on behalf of Indian Community in the post war development of the country. Its founder President was John A. Thivy (1946-1947).
At its nascent stage, the Party was committed to the attainment of:

• Freedom and democracy for the country.
• Positive inter-racial harmony and cooperation.
• General prosperity and stability of the country.
• A fair share for the Indian community in the future of the country

The sentiment of the Party in its early days was anti-British and the demand for the end of the Colonial rule. In the progress towards independence as well as in later period the overriding philosophy of the Party was the need for a non-communal approach in the development of the country. It was the intense anti-British sentiment that made the MIC under the leadership of its second President Mr. Budh Singh (1947-1950) critical of the Malayan Union proposals did not rally Indian support although the proposals were favourable and upheld the principle of jus soli. Later the MIC joined the All Malaya Council for Joint Action (AMCJA) under Tun Tan Cheng Lok in opposition to the less liberal Federation of Malaya Agreement 1948.

The second phase of the Party began, under its third President Mr. K.Ramanathan,realising the unneffectiveness and futility of non-cooperation with the Government when the other major communities represented by UMNO and MCA corporated, the MIC contested in 1952 Kuala Lumpur Municipal Elections in alliance with the IMP under Dato' Onn bin Jaafar and other non-communal organizations. However the 1952 elections proved the MIC's attempt to preach and practise non-communalism would not prevail in Malayan politics when communalism was the winning factor.

In 1954 the MIC under its fourth President Mr. K. L. Devaser (1951-1955) became the third partner in the Alliance with UMNO and MCA. This alliance was not new in MIC. Since MIC had always believed that within the context of Malaya, political alignments were fundamental between the various organisations in the country. It has always been moderate and pragmatic and it was thus tha MIC had joined tha AMCJA, later the IMP and subsequently the Alliance - the last after being convinced that it was the most workable and effective form of political technique in the Malayan context.

The third phase of the MIC history was its consolidation. Under Tun V.T Sambanthan, who took over the party's leadership as the fifth President (1955-1973) the party grew in membership as well as in the number of branches, becoming a mass based party, and the same time firmly entrenching the MIC as a partner of Alliance. The finest hour was achieved on 31st August 1957 when Independence was achieved under the Merdeka Agreement in which Tun V.T. Sambanthan was a signatory. The greatest challenge that the Party faced during this time was the fragmentation of estates, the livelihood of almost all Malaysian Indian Workers. Thus Party sponsored cooperative effort for acquiring these estates and prevent fragmentation and displacement of the workers. This witnessed the birth of National Land Finance Cooperative Society (NLFCS).

The fourth phase of the party began with Tan Sri Dato V. Manikavasagam the sixth President of the Congress (1973-1979) . Under his leadership the Party was put on a strong footing with buildings, offices and staff in various parts of the country and the party system organised and its capacity to deal with issues enhanced. It was during this period that the MIC as a member of the Alliance became part of Barisan Nasional. The party sponsored the Nesa Multipurpose Cooperative and the MIC Unit Trust as part of its programme for economic ventures, and also set up the MIC Education Fund for members children and the Malaysian Indian Scholarship for higher education as well as acquiring an Institute for training Indians in technical and trade skills. As a party which represents Indian in Government, the MIC continues to play vital role as a pragmatic moderator forging the diverse forces into a common will for the unity and well being of the society and country. With the demise of Tan Sri Dato V. Manikavasagam on 12 October 1979. Dato Seri S. Samy Vellu has taken over the helm of the Party.