Dear Readers,
It has been while since my last posting , as there is many reaon for my absence. It notably an happy and succesfull ending to the cause and the struggle of Hindraf . We have proven and shown our voting power to the ruling government, please do not mess with us and our culture .
Thank you to all my Indian brothers and sisters. Please do not fall apart now . We need to watch our friends in DAP or PKR and PAS to see if they will do what is promised to the Indian, otherwise we should use our People Power again for the next Elections
I want remind all of you to apply and go for the councill jobs/contracts which is available , please look up your local your Dun /MP and seek their assistance . We need to go for it as well, please do not expect them to come to you.
Regards
Monday, March 10, 2008
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Singaporean on 5-day hunger strike to support Hindraf 5
A Singaporean artist said today he had begun a hunger strike to seek the release of Malaysian Hindu rights activists detained under a tough security law.
"At 9am, I began (the hunger strike)," 23-year-old Seelan Palay said from near the front gate of the Malaysian High Commission.
Palay said he would drink water but not eat during the hunger strike, which will last five days - one day for each detained member from Malaysia's Hindu Rights Action Force Hindraf.
The five are being held under Malaysia's Internal Security Act, which allows for indefinite detention without trial.
"I'll sleep on the ground on a straw mat," Palay said, adding he was wearing a sign around his neck that read: "Give them fair trial."
The activists were detained after they enraged the government in November by mounting a mass rally alleging discrimination against Indians in Malaysia, where the majority are ethnic Malay Muslims.
Police used tear gas, water cannon and baton charges to break up the street protest by at least 30,000 people. Palay said he attended that rally.Free them or charge them in courtIn a statement released before the hunger strike, Palay called for global pressure on the Malaysian government to free the five and to prove allegations against them in open court.
"In line with the greater focus on human rights in Asean today ... we surely cannot turn a blind eye to this matter," his statement said.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations last month signed a charter calling for the establishment of a regional human rights body.
Singapore currently chairs the 10-member Asean.
"At 9am, I began (the hunger strike)," 23-year-old Seelan Palay said from near the front gate of the Malaysian High Commission.
Palay said he would drink water but not eat during the hunger strike, which will last five days - one day for each detained member from Malaysia's Hindu Rights Action Force Hindraf.
The five are being held under Malaysia's Internal Security Act, which allows for indefinite detention without trial.
"I'll sleep on the ground on a straw mat," Palay said, adding he was wearing a sign around his neck that read: "Give them fair trial."
The activists were detained after they enraged the government in November by mounting a mass rally alleging discrimination against Indians in Malaysia, where the majority are ethnic Malay Muslims.
Police used tear gas, water cannon and baton charges to break up the street protest by at least 30,000 people. Palay said he attended that rally.Free them or charge them in courtIn a statement released before the hunger strike, Palay called for global pressure on the Malaysian government to free the five and to prove allegations against them in open court.
"In line with the greater focus on human rights in Asean today ... we surely cannot turn a blind eye to this matter," his statement said.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations last month signed a charter calling for the establishment of a regional human rights body.
Singapore currently chairs the 10-member Asean.
Khir Toyo to meet temple reps in Batu Caves
Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo will meet Hindu temple representatives this Friday in the wake of angry protests resulting from a string of temple demolition in the state.The meeting, which is organised by Malaysian Hindu Council, will be held at the historic Batu Caves temple.
Council's chairman R Nadarajah (left) told a press conference today at Batu Caves today that this would be the first time Mohd Khir is attending such a meeting.The council – an umbrella body of Hindu temples and Hindu-based organisations in Malaysia – said it would be gathering information, among others, the size, land ownership and registration of the temples. “We are calling all temples in Selangor to provide us with the information ... all issues can be solved (at the meeting),” he added.
According to the state government, there are between 800 and 900 Hindu temples – both big and small - in Selangor.Nadarajah also said that a memorandum on the matter will be handed to Mohd Khir on behalf of Hindu temples at this Friday’s dialogue.“After the Shah Alam temple (was) demolised, things got worse, but at least the government wants to listen (to the problem),” he said.
Nadarajah was referring to the demolition of a 100-year-old Sri Maha Mariaman temple in Shah Alam on the eve of Deepavali last month.The incident saw Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) heavily criticised for the use of violence by its officials. Fifteen residents of Kampung Rimba Jaya were arrested for trying to prevent MBSA demolishing their houses. Four lawyers who attempted to free the residents were also arrested and released on police bail later that day.
Temple demolitions have been a major issue in Selangor since the state government made the move to get rid of squatters areas and along with them, illegally-built and unregistered places of worship. Mohd Khir (right), in an interview with Malaysiakini earlier this month, lamented that he had been put in a difficult position regarding the need to take action against the squatters.Malaysian Hindu Council today also expressed its intention to expand its initiative to solve issues involving Hindu temples to other states.“We want to start with Selangor, then the whole Malaysia,” said Nadarajah, who was also chairman of the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Kuala Lumpur’s Petaling Street
Hindraf rally: Temple already closed
Nadarajah also took the opportunity at the press conference to explain the Sept 25 incident where a crowd of thousands were dispersed by the police from the temple compound.He said the Batu Caves temple gate is opened daily from 6am to 10pm with the exception of certain religious occasions such as Thaipusam, Maha Sivarathiri and Vaikunda Ekathasi.On Sept 24, when Thiru Karthikai day was observed, all special prayers were completed by 9pm.“According to Hindu custom, once (the temple is) closed, it cannot be opened until the next day. There wasn’t any special prayers after (the festival) and there were no priests to conduct the prayers,” he added.In the early hours of Nov 25 - the day
Hindu Right Action Force (Hindraf) had its mass rally in Kuala Lumpur - Nadarajah claimed a crowd of thousands forced themselves into the temple.“They gather inside (the temple), took the paving stones and threw outside (at the police). What happened between them and the police, we do not know,” he said.He added that “never in the history of the Batu Caves temple, Thiru Karthikai had been celebrated for 24 hours”.“It was puzzling why these people needed to come to the temple at midnight to do prayers.“How did they come inside? I don't know how it (the gate) was opened.
It was not opened by the temple management. The temple (was) already closed,” he added.He also rejected calls to withdraw the police report he made relating to the incident.According to Nadarajah, the temple had no choice but to lodge a police report against the “trespassing” and it was done purely on security reasons.“Temple properties (were) damaged. We need to lodge a police report to claim insurance. We never lodged report against anybody but only on the trespassing.”Nadarajah said the temple incurred over RM5,000 in damages during the incident.
The gathering at Batu Caves, just a few hours before the mammoth Hindraf rally, saw police using tear gas and chemical-laced water to disperse the crowd.Several individuals were seriously injured during the incident despite police claiming that there was “no body contact”. About 30 of those arrested were later charged with 'attempted murder' of a police officer, but this was later dropped.
Council's chairman R Nadarajah (left) told a press conference today at Batu Caves today that this would be the first time Mohd Khir is attending such a meeting.The council – an umbrella body of Hindu temples and Hindu-based organisations in Malaysia – said it would be gathering information, among others, the size, land ownership and registration of the temples. “We are calling all temples in Selangor to provide us with the information ... all issues can be solved (at the meeting),” he added.
According to the state government, there are between 800 and 900 Hindu temples – both big and small - in Selangor.Nadarajah also said that a memorandum on the matter will be handed to Mohd Khir on behalf of Hindu temples at this Friday’s dialogue.“After the Shah Alam temple (was) demolised, things got worse, but at least the government wants to listen (to the problem),” he said.
Nadarajah was referring to the demolition of a 100-year-old Sri Maha Mariaman temple in Shah Alam on the eve of Deepavali last month.The incident saw Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) heavily criticised for the use of violence by its officials. Fifteen residents of Kampung Rimba Jaya were arrested for trying to prevent MBSA demolishing their houses. Four lawyers who attempted to free the residents were also arrested and released on police bail later that day.
Temple demolitions have been a major issue in Selangor since the state government made the move to get rid of squatters areas and along with them, illegally-built and unregistered places of worship. Mohd Khir (right), in an interview with Malaysiakini earlier this month, lamented that he had been put in a difficult position regarding the need to take action against the squatters.Malaysian Hindu Council today also expressed its intention to expand its initiative to solve issues involving Hindu temples to other states.“We want to start with Selangor, then the whole Malaysia,” said Nadarajah, who was also chairman of the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Kuala Lumpur’s Petaling Street
Hindraf rally: Temple already closed
Nadarajah also took the opportunity at the press conference to explain the Sept 25 incident where a crowd of thousands were dispersed by the police from the temple compound.He said the Batu Caves temple gate is opened daily from 6am to 10pm with the exception of certain religious occasions such as Thaipusam, Maha Sivarathiri and Vaikunda Ekathasi.On Sept 24, when Thiru Karthikai day was observed, all special prayers were completed by 9pm.“According to Hindu custom, once (the temple is) closed, it cannot be opened until the next day. There wasn’t any special prayers after (the festival) and there were no priests to conduct the prayers,” he added.In the early hours of Nov 25 - the day
Hindu Right Action Force (Hindraf) had its mass rally in Kuala Lumpur - Nadarajah claimed a crowd of thousands forced themselves into the temple.“They gather inside (the temple), took the paving stones and threw outside (at the police). What happened between them and the police, we do not know,” he said.He added that “never in the history of the Batu Caves temple, Thiru Karthikai had been celebrated for 24 hours”.“It was puzzling why these people needed to come to the temple at midnight to do prayers.“How did they come inside? I don't know how it (the gate) was opened.
It was not opened by the temple management. The temple (was) already closed,” he added.He also rejected calls to withdraw the police report he made relating to the incident.According to Nadarajah, the temple had no choice but to lodge a police report against the “trespassing” and it was done purely on security reasons.“Temple properties (were) damaged. We need to lodge a police report to claim insurance. We never lodged report against anybody but only on the trespassing.”Nadarajah said the temple incurred over RM5,000 in damages during the incident.
The gathering at Batu Caves, just a few hours before the mammoth Hindraf rally, saw police using tear gas and chemical-laced water to disperse the crowd.Several individuals were seriously injured during the incident despite police claiming that there was “no body contact”. About 30 of those arrested were later charged with 'attempted murder' of a police officer, but this was later dropped.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Thursday date for Subashini decision
The fate of whether an Indian Hindu wife can seek justice in the civil courts - despite her Islam-convert husband initiating divorce proceeding in the syariah courts - will be known tomorrow.The Federal Court - the country’s highest court - will announce their decision three months after lawyers from both sides of the controversial case made their final arguments.
The three-member panel comprising justices Nik Hashim Nik Ab Rahman, Abdul Aziz Mohamad and Azmel Ma'amor will decide whether the civil or syariah court is more authoritative on the issue of divorce when one spouse converts to Islam - an issue that has been a long-standing moot point in the trial.
Subashini, 28, is trying to stop her 31-year-old husband, T Saravanan - a Hindu who has converted to Islam and assumed the name Muhammad Shafi Saravanan Abdullah - from taking their divorce and custody proceedings to the Syariah Court.Saravanan converted in May 2006 along with their eldest son, Dharvin Joshua, 4.
The husband then launched proceedings in the Islamic syariah court for divorce as well as custody of their second son, Sharvin, 2.During her appeal to the lower Court of Appeal on March 13, justices Suriyadi Halim Omar and Hassan Lah - who made the majority 2-1 decision - told her to take her case before the Syariah Court instead, while justice Gopal Sri Ram dissented.
According to the majority decision, the injunction sought by Subashini was unnecessary because the Syariah Court is competent enough decide on the matter.However, on March 30, Subashini was granted an interim injunction by the Court of Appeal restraining Saravanan from pursuing his claims in the Islamic court.
The injunction also effectively restrained him from converting their youngest son to Islam and from pursuing his custody claims in the Syariah Court.It was also held in the landmark ruling that a Muslim could apply to the Islamic court to convert his or her underage children without permission from the non-Muslim spouse.Three possible outcomesThere are three likely possible outcomes from the Federal Court tomorrow:1.
The court may decide against Subashini on technical grounds - over the date of Subashini's divorce petition which was within three months of her husband's conversion date.According to the law, the petition should be filed three months after the conversion date. Subashini argued that she was not aware of the date of her husband’s conversion.
If so, the case will be thrown out and lawyers can choose to file her divorce petition again.2. The court may decide against Subashini on substantive grounds - that the Syariah Court has jurisdiction and orders her to take her case there. This effectively rules that civil courts have no say in conversion cases especially after syariah proceedings have commenced.3. The court may decide for Subashini - she will get remedy in civil courts, her husband may not proceed further in syariah courts and he has to go back to civil courts because their marriage was originally solemnised under civil law.
Aftershocks from Joy
This decision will be the second time the apex court is to decide on a matter involving the vexing issue of religious freedom.Previously, the Federal Court held that the jurisdiction on issues concerning a Muslim who wants to convert to another religion lies with the Syariah Court.In the landmark judgment by former chief justice Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim, Lina Joy was held to remained a Muslim and her religious status cannot be removed from her identity card.
Born an ethnic Malay Muslim, and called Azlina Jailani, Joy was introduced to Christianity in 1990.It has left her fighting authorities, first for her new name to be put on her identity card, then to have her former religion removed.The controversial judgment has left the nation divided over one's freedom of religion as enshrined in Article 11 of the Federal Constitution.
The three-member panel comprising justices Nik Hashim Nik Ab Rahman, Abdul Aziz Mohamad and Azmel Ma'amor will decide whether the civil or syariah court is more authoritative on the issue of divorce when one spouse converts to Islam - an issue that has been a long-standing moot point in the trial.
Subashini, 28, is trying to stop her 31-year-old husband, T Saravanan - a Hindu who has converted to Islam and assumed the name Muhammad Shafi Saravanan Abdullah - from taking their divorce and custody proceedings to the Syariah Court.Saravanan converted in May 2006 along with their eldest son, Dharvin Joshua, 4.
The husband then launched proceedings in the Islamic syariah court for divorce as well as custody of their second son, Sharvin, 2.During her appeal to the lower Court of Appeal on March 13, justices Suriyadi Halim Omar and Hassan Lah - who made the majority 2-1 decision - told her to take her case before the Syariah Court instead, while justice Gopal Sri Ram dissented.
According to the majority decision, the injunction sought by Subashini was unnecessary because the Syariah Court is competent enough decide on the matter.However, on March 30, Subashini was granted an interim injunction by the Court of Appeal restraining Saravanan from pursuing his claims in the Islamic court.
The injunction also effectively restrained him from converting their youngest son to Islam and from pursuing his custody claims in the Syariah Court.It was also held in the landmark ruling that a Muslim could apply to the Islamic court to convert his or her underage children without permission from the non-Muslim spouse.Three possible outcomesThere are three likely possible outcomes from the Federal Court tomorrow:1.
The court may decide against Subashini on technical grounds - over the date of Subashini's divorce petition which was within three months of her husband's conversion date.According to the law, the petition should be filed three months after the conversion date. Subashini argued that she was not aware of the date of her husband’s conversion.
If so, the case will be thrown out and lawyers can choose to file her divorce petition again.2. The court may decide against Subashini on substantive grounds - that the Syariah Court has jurisdiction and orders her to take her case there. This effectively rules that civil courts have no say in conversion cases especially after syariah proceedings have commenced.3. The court may decide for Subashini - she will get remedy in civil courts, her husband may not proceed further in syariah courts and he has to go back to civil courts because their marriage was originally solemnised under civil law.
Aftershocks from Joy
This decision will be the second time the apex court is to decide on a matter involving the vexing issue of religious freedom.Previously, the Federal Court held that the jurisdiction on issues concerning a Muslim who wants to convert to another religion lies with the Syariah Court.In the landmark judgment by former chief justice Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim, Lina Joy was held to remained a Muslim and her religious status cannot be removed from her identity card.
Born an ethnic Malay Muslim, and called Azlina Jailani, Joy was introduced to Christianity in 1990.It has left her fighting authorities, first for her new name to be put on her identity card, then to have her former religion removed.The controversial judgment has left the nation divided over one's freedom of religion as enshrined in Article 11 of the Federal Constitution.
Writing on the wall for MIC supremo
Athi Veeranggan Dec 26, 07 12:59pm
It was a rare sight.The jeering and booing of Works Minister S Samy Vellu at the Penang International Sports Arena (Pisa) last Sunday shows the naked truth that a growing number of Indian Malaysians are against the MIC strongman.On Sunday night, loud boos accompanied Samy Vellu on stage as he emerged to officiate Astro’s 'Aattam 100 Vagai' (100 types of dance), an international modern Indian dance competition [YouTube video].If the crowd's unhappiness was anything to go by, Indian Malaysians want the beleaguered Samy Vellu to gracefully relinquish both his party and government positions immediately."The message is loud and clear.
Hindu masses have had enough of Samy Vellu,” said Penang-based United Hindu Religious Council President G Mugunthan, 65."Samy Vellu (should) honourably resign. He has been ‘warming’ the chair for far too long."Indeed, Samy Vellu has firmly held the party’s reign for nearly 30 years. During this period, he has made sure that he is the only Indian cabinet minister, no one else. Obviously, he wants to be revered as the supreme leader for the 1.8 million Tamil-speaking Indians in the country.In the past, he called all the shots and held the key to all major government decisions on issues pertaining to Indian affairs.
Stability in MIC
Certain party insiders believe that Samy Vellu's autocratic political style has provided stability within the party.But political stability of a party does not guarantee prosperity for the community."It will work so long (that) there is no dissent. Now after 50 years, Hindus have finally (awaken) from their deep slumber to realise that Barisan Nasional, MIC and Samy Vellu have had deceived and manipulated them for selfish gains," said a MIC observer who declined to be named.It is a known fact that the majority of Indian Malaysians have been staunch BN supporters over the years. In return, they expected the ruling coalition to safeguard and enhance their interests, rights and benefits.However, this did not happen.
The nationwide awakening was driven by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf). It rapidly caught fire due to prevailing discontentment, disenchantment and disillusionment amongst Indian Malaysians.A political observer said that Hindraf does not need to spread lies to capture the imagination of the Hindu masses since the disturbing truth created by MIC and BN’s lopsided policies was evident enough."The Hindu masses needed a spark and they got it through Hindraf,” the observer noted. "At Pisa, Hindus vent their anger against the MIC leader for his feudal-style leadership tainted by cronyism, nepotism, corruption and miseries to Indians through the country. Never before have Hindus loathed and despised the MIC supremo so openly."The abuses and foul words lashed out last weekend would have traumatised anyone but the thick-skinned Samy Vellu took it all in his stride.He even had the cheek to wave to the abusive crowd of largely Indian youths who wanted the long-time Indian leader to get out of their sight.But what about him?
Malaysian Indian United Party (MIUP) Penang pro-tem liaison committee chairman L Balasupramaniyam described the whistling and jeering as a "mass dissatisfaction and displeasure demonstrated against the mess created by Samy Vellu and company.""Samy Vellu said MIC would change its elected representatives who were suffering from ‘fatigue’. But what about him?” asked Balasupramaniyam.It is undoubtedly time for the government to look more seriously into the problems affecting Indian Malaysians and resolve them by taking effective measures.Mugunthan said that the government should not merely listen to MIC and the array of party-linked NGO leaders.He added that the government should understand the fact that thousands of Indian Malaysians do not recognise Samy Vellu as their leader.All the issues resurfacing now are issues that should been resolved in last 50 years, he added. The BN-led government has failed to so despite numerous calls by various parties.Indian Malaysians have been on the losing end after backing BN and MIC for all these years. They now want what is rightfully theirs.
On Nov 25, they collectively showed their disapproval to the failures of BN, MIC and Samy Vellu in the streets of Kuala Lumpur and once again, a month later in Penang's Pisa.It is up to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Samy Vellu and the party to see the writing on the wall.It is there for all to see. It would be the height of arrogance if Samy Vellu fails to see it himself.
It was a rare sight.The jeering and booing of Works Minister S Samy Vellu at the Penang International Sports Arena (Pisa) last Sunday shows the naked truth that a growing number of Indian Malaysians are against the MIC strongman.On Sunday night, loud boos accompanied Samy Vellu on stage as he emerged to officiate Astro’s 'Aattam 100 Vagai' (100 types of dance), an international modern Indian dance competition [YouTube video].If the crowd's unhappiness was anything to go by, Indian Malaysians want the beleaguered Samy Vellu to gracefully relinquish both his party and government positions immediately."The message is loud and clear.
Hindu masses have had enough of Samy Vellu,” said Penang-based United Hindu Religious Council President G Mugunthan, 65."Samy Vellu (should) honourably resign. He has been ‘warming’ the chair for far too long."Indeed, Samy Vellu has firmly held the party’s reign for nearly 30 years. During this period, he has made sure that he is the only Indian cabinet minister, no one else. Obviously, he wants to be revered as the supreme leader for the 1.8 million Tamil-speaking Indians in the country.In the past, he called all the shots and held the key to all major government decisions on issues pertaining to Indian affairs.
Stability in MIC
Certain party insiders believe that Samy Vellu's autocratic political style has provided stability within the party.But political stability of a party does not guarantee prosperity for the community."It will work so long (that) there is no dissent. Now after 50 years, Hindus have finally (awaken) from their deep slumber to realise that Barisan Nasional, MIC and Samy Vellu have had deceived and manipulated them for selfish gains," said a MIC observer who declined to be named.It is a known fact that the majority of Indian Malaysians have been staunch BN supporters over the years. In return, they expected the ruling coalition to safeguard and enhance their interests, rights and benefits.However, this did not happen.
The nationwide awakening was driven by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf). It rapidly caught fire due to prevailing discontentment, disenchantment and disillusionment amongst Indian Malaysians.A political observer said that Hindraf does not need to spread lies to capture the imagination of the Hindu masses since the disturbing truth created by MIC and BN’s lopsided policies was evident enough."The Hindu masses needed a spark and they got it through Hindraf,” the observer noted. "At Pisa, Hindus vent their anger against the MIC leader for his feudal-style leadership tainted by cronyism, nepotism, corruption and miseries to Indians through the country. Never before have Hindus loathed and despised the MIC supremo so openly."The abuses and foul words lashed out last weekend would have traumatised anyone but the thick-skinned Samy Vellu took it all in his stride.He even had the cheek to wave to the abusive crowd of largely Indian youths who wanted the long-time Indian leader to get out of their sight.But what about him?
Malaysian Indian United Party (MIUP) Penang pro-tem liaison committee chairman L Balasupramaniyam described the whistling and jeering as a "mass dissatisfaction and displeasure demonstrated against the mess created by Samy Vellu and company.""Samy Vellu said MIC would change its elected representatives who were suffering from ‘fatigue’. But what about him?” asked Balasupramaniyam.It is undoubtedly time for the government to look more seriously into the problems affecting Indian Malaysians and resolve them by taking effective measures.Mugunthan said that the government should not merely listen to MIC and the array of party-linked NGO leaders.He added that the government should understand the fact that thousands of Indian Malaysians do not recognise Samy Vellu as their leader.All the issues resurfacing now are issues that should been resolved in last 50 years, he added. The BN-led government has failed to so despite numerous calls by various parties.Indian Malaysians have been on the losing end after backing BN and MIC for all these years. They now want what is rightfully theirs.
On Nov 25, they collectively showed their disapproval to the failures of BN, MIC and Samy Vellu in the streets of Kuala Lumpur and once again, a month later in Penang's Pisa.It is up to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Samy Vellu and the party to see the writing on the wall.It is there for all to see. It would be the height of arrogance if Samy Vellu fails to see it himself.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Samy promises new faces for GE
RK Anand Dec 22, 07 6:54pm
MIC’s elected representatives who have reached the ‘fatigue stage’ would be dropped and replaced by new faces in the coming general election, said the party’s president S Samy Vellu today."Looking at the situation, I am going to do many changes. This is sure to happen," he said when interviewed in RTM's Tamil talkshow "Karuthu Kalam" or "Opinion Forum" aired over RTM2 today.
Samy spoke about wide-ranging issues from when he entered politics and the challenges being faced by the party and the Indian community."Normally, I introduce new faces in elections and I assign them special tasks."Since I work long hours, I can't be monitoring them all the time.
That will affect my job," he said.He said he could tell them about their responsibilities during the MIC's monthly central working committee (CWC) meetings."Few are clear about their duties and carry out their responsibilities accordingly (but) some have reached the fatigue stage," he said.At present MIC has nine members of Parliament and 19 state representatives.
Many would see the proposal to introduce new faces by the party in the coming general election as a way by Samy to recapture the trust of the Indian community.The Indian community has been quite critical in the recent past over what is seen as the party’s and its leaders’ failures to uplift the community. We have benefited
Samy also said that he entered politics in 1957 "with a view to change the condition of the Indian community"."That was one of the main reasons for me to join politics. It was permanently in my mind. I kept thinking for ways and means to create a better situation to upgrade the condition of the community."When I became president of MIC in 1979, I realised that only by transforming the community into an educated community, we would be able to compete and be on par with others," he said.He also said that he has not stopped fighting for the community in his 29 years of service as a minister.
He is presently the works minister."I have talked everything. I can tell one thing to those who ask on what I've done. I can't reveal what I've talked, what I've fought in the cabinet."We have taken an oath of secrecy and we should not reveal anything that have been decided in the cabinet because those government documents are classified as official secrets," he said.
To a question, the MIC chief said not all the requests made by the MIC were put aside by the government."During the 29 years, when we request for 20, we get 10. So we have always benefited. We can't say we didn't get anything. “I have records on what we have got. I know how the government has been channelling the assistance," he added
Gerakan Moves To Act Against Paranjothy Over Sensitive Remarks
PENANG, Dec 23 (Bernama) -- Gerakan has initiated disciplinary action against its Youth vice-chief S. Paranjothy over his racially sensitive remarks against Umno.
Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said Sunday the party viewed the matter seriously and that the case has been referred to the Disciplinary Committee for a decision on the action to be taken before it was to be brought to the party's Central Working Committee (CWC).
He said the action against Paranjothy could be in the form of a suspension or explusion from the party."We will abide by the party's procedure before deciding on the form of action to be taken," he told a news conference at the Gerakan state head office here.Paranjothy is alleged to have issued a press statement claiming that he was not happy with Umno and the way Indians in the country were being treated.
Koh said Paranjothy had disregarded the team spirit in Gerakan because as the party's Youth vice-chief he should have consulted other party leaders before making a major statement."His action is clearly contrary to my advice for Gerakan to always find constructive solutions to all problems, no matter how difficult, including matters related to the problems faced by the Indians," he added.He regarded as inappropriate Paranjothy's open verbal "attack" of another BN component party.-- BERNAMA
Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said Sunday the party viewed the matter seriously and that the case has been referred to the Disciplinary Committee for a decision on the action to be taken before it was to be brought to the party's Central Working Committee (CWC).
He said the action against Paranjothy could be in the form of a suspension or explusion from the party."We will abide by the party's procedure before deciding on the form of action to be taken," he told a news conference at the Gerakan state head office here.Paranjothy is alleged to have issued a press statement claiming that he was not happy with Umno and the way Indians in the country were being treated.
Koh said Paranjothy had disregarded the team spirit in Gerakan because as the party's Youth vice-chief he should have consulted other party leaders before making a major statement."His action is clearly contrary to my advice for Gerakan to always find constructive solutions to all problems, no matter how difficult, including matters related to the problems faced by the Indians," he added.He regarded as inappropriate Paranjothy's open verbal "attack" of another BN component party.-- BERNAMA
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