Protest in support of SRJK (T) Taman Melawati

Putera MIC Selangor is joining a protest in solidarity with several NGOs, staff and students of SRJK (T) Taman Melawati, on Sunday, 28th December 2008 at 10 am. The protest, to be held near the school premises, is to object to the actions of a property developer, who is trying to take a portion of the school's land, using dubious methods. 

I call upon all caring Malaysians in general, and Indians in particular, to come show your support for the school. Let us gather in a show of unity and strength to save our school. 

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year.

Here's wishing all you folks a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, not forgetting Happy Holidays. May you have a blessed holiday season and all the best for the coming year.

Samy Vellu vs. Muthupalaniappan

Malaysiakini has published an exclusive interview with Datuk Muthupalaniappan, the former MIC vice-president, who has declared his intentions to contest Dato' Seri S. Samy Vellu for the MIC top job. It's still too early to tell how the fight will eventually pan out, what with many other leaders keeping mum about the post they intent to go for. Whatever it is, the Malaysiakini interview is still an interesting read, revealing the views of a man not known to many outside the MIC circles.

Datuk Muthu does have his points on a number of issues. Obviously all is not rosy within the MIC, or we wouldn't have lost so badly in the last elections. Our own members voted against us, that's a fact. The party has responded after the elections, in a rebranding attempt. The genuineness of the rebranding intentions, I have no qualms. But the success of the exercise? Now that's something that leaves ample room for discussion.

Whatever the outcome of the MIC elections, I hope it is the Indian people who win. Challenge is not always a bad thing. Challenge keeps complacency in check.

Kudos to Malaysiakini for bringing Datuk Muthu's thought on his candidacy into the open. I hope they will treat all the candidates with equality, though. I, for one, would like to see all aspiring candidates come out with detail manifestos. Let's hear their hopes and plans for the community and party. May the delegates then vote for substance over rhetoric, voting in capable leaders who can lead the MIC back to its glory. Be they incumbents, or new aspirants.

Sorry for the absence

I'm back in Malaysia after a hectic overseas trip, with no access to the net. Just arrived this morning, and I'm still jet-lagged. Looks like I've got lots to catch up on.

Oi Tajuddin, siapa keling? - Ref Malaysiakini -

Member of Parliament for Pasik Salak, Yang Bloody (pun intended) Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, is a bloody (pun intended, again) disgrace to Barisan Nasional. First there was the issue of him calling YB Kulasegaran a bloody b*stard. Then, amidst claims of him using sexual innuendos in parliament, now he is caught on the Handsard using the deragotary term 'keling' against YB Kulasegaran.

Enough is enough. Tajuddin has showed that he lacks even the basic decency expected of a human being, let alone a Yang Berhormat, representing several thousand people in the august Parliament. No, a retraction is NOT enough. Neither is an apology, not that one is forthcoming, anyway.

Tajuddin must be dealt with severly. Malaysian Indians have had just about enough of our elected representatives calling us snakes and kelings. I urge the Prime Minister to suspend Tajuddin for a period of not less than three months, without pay. He should be also asked to do 100 hours community service in Indian charity organizations.

MIC must make sure that nobody, not even our BN counterparts, get away scot free after insulting Indians in such a demeaning manner. I call on my Pemuda and Putera MIC brothers to show that we will not tolerate this nonsense. If we have to organize a protest, let's do it. I'm game. We'll show you, Tajuddin.

Malaysiakini's article regarding the incident is reposted below:

MP reveals Tajuddin's 'sexual innuendos'

S Pathmawathy Nov 27, 08 3:09pm

Vocal government backbencher Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (Umno-Pasir Salak) was today accused of making sexual innuendos in the Dewan Rakyat.

According to Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah), who evoked the Standing Orders against Tajuddin, the BN MP had made the offensive remarks during yesterday's sitting.

Section 36(4) of the Standing Orders prohibits parliamentarians from using offensive language. Fong told the House today that Tajuddin had uttered the words when attempting to interject Mujahid Yusof Rawa's (PAS-Parit Buntar) debate on Teo Nie Cheng's (DAP-Serdang) motion for a RM10 pay cut for Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.

She quoted him as saying, "Dia (Mujahid) tak masuk lagi, dah lama tak masuk. Main tepi saja" and "Bila nak keluar lagi air dia?"

The following is exchange between Tajuddin, Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee and Mujahid as was published in the Hansard.

Tajuddin: Oh, tak masuk lagi?

Kiandee: Dia tak bagi Yang Berhormat, tak bagi.

Tajuddin: Dia tak masuk lagi? Dah lama tak masuk-masuk. Main tepi saja.

Mujahid: Yang Berhormat Pasir Salak sabarlah.

Tajuddin: Bila nak keluar lagi air dia?

Expressing disappointment with the conduct of parliamentarians, Deputy Speaker Wan Junaidi Jaafar said: "From the information I got from my officers, I am very disappointed by the abusive words of the members of parliament."

"But I have to refer this matter to Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee to take further action," he added.

Kiandee had presided over yesterday’s session.

Tajuddin's sexual innuendo remarks were missed in the uproar he had sparked off when he called M Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat) “keling”, a derogatory term for Indians.

Following pressure from Pakatan MPs to withdraw his remark, Tajuddin had today reluctantly obliged and made the retraction.

Although Kulasegaran requested Kiandee to take stern action against Tajuddin, the deputy speaker, however, said a retraction was sufficient.

Earlier this month, Tajuddin had escaped punishment for calling Kulasegaran a 'bloody bastard' in the House.

Samy Velu to meet PM over yoga fatwa

This is a follow up to my earlier post, What next? Fatwa against thosai? Today, Malaysiakini reports that MIC President Dato' Seri S. Samy Vellu is going to take the matter up with the Prime Minister. Frankly, I don't see the Prime Minister intervening in this matter, but bringing the issue up is good, all the same. Our voice must be heard, and our disapproval must be conveyed.

Malaysiakini has also run another story, Bouquets, brickbats for yoga fatwa, which samples public opinion. I am particularly glad that some Muslims are speaking out against the need for a fatwa on this matter, and in general, the need for Muslims to be so strictly regulated in Malaysia.

What next? Fatwa against thosai?

The National Fatwa Council has issued a fatwa that the ancient Hindu art of Yoga is off limits to Muslims. You can read Malaysiakini's article about it here. I must say that while this fatwa does not come as a surprise to me, I see it as something distasteful in multi-racial Malaysia. Of course, the fatwa is only binding on Muslims. I understand that. But whatever said and done, I am a Hindu. Yoga is part of my thousands-of-years-old tradition. So I am obviously irritated that a part of my tradition is being judged by someone else as being a threat to their religion.

Let's get a few things straight. First, Hinduism is one religion that you can't actually convert, per say, into. Hinduism is a way of life. It is a collection of rites and rituals, based on ancient wisdom and teachings. While you can always learn the religion, start going to temples and call yourself a Hindu convert, there are no rituals in particular to declare one 'a Hindu from this day forth', religiously speaking, that is.

Second, to the best of my knowledge, we Hindus never did any promotion campaign for yoga. We never marketed it to the world, neither do we actually profit from its worldwide popularity and interest these days. The non-Hindus are tho ones who learnt it, saw its health benefits (and market potential) and willingly accepted it as a form of exercise. No doubt, it is quite an industry nowadays, both abroad and right here in Malaysia. Of course it is linked with Hindu practices and worship. That's just the way Hinduism is. Religion and life is inseparable to a Hindu, much like how it is for a Muslim.  Our daily routine is intertwined with our religion. To what extent, is a matter of individual choice.

On a lighter note, I'd really like to see what else the fatwa boys will decide to ban after tomboys and yoga. Thosai perhaps? Most Hindu-owned restaurants have altars, you know! And they do a prayer before starting business for the day. Ban murukku perhaps? How about issuing a fatwa banning all Muslims from watching Bollywood movies? Datuk Shah Rukh Khan has played Hindu and Buddhist roles before, you know! After all, to quote the words of the National Fatwa council chairperson Dr Abdul Shukor Husin, "doing one thing could lead to another" and "it will ultimately lead to religious worshiping and chanting which is against Islam".

Syariah Law? No, thank you!

Recently there have been calls for the common law system and the syariah law system to be merged. This suggestion came from none less than the former Chief Justice, Tun Abdul Hamid. Today we have newspapers quoting one Datuk Ibrahim Lembut, Syariah Court Judge and Syariah Judicial Department director-general, saying “Islam will defend everybody. The impression that merging the two court systems will override the rights of the non-Muslims is wrong. Syariah laws and Islam will think of every religion and race”.

Yeah, right! Tell that to the Hindu mother who lost custody of her child after the Syariah court granted custody to her muslim convert ex-husband, against all international norms for custody. Tell that to the families who had the bodies of their loved ones snatched from them, preventing them from conducting the final rites.

Subjecting non-muslims to syariah law is just wrong. It is against the very core of our rights, and we will oppose it at all cost. I do not wish to enter into a discussion on the practicality, the perceived equality and sense of justice of syariah law. I don't care. I just do not want to be subjected to it, and I ought not to.

The very fact that someone could even suggest something like this annoys me. This is setting a dangerous precedence. I lend support to the civil lawyers who attended talks, where this issue was brought up, who refused to even consider this idea. I lend support to MCA's legal bureau head, Datuk Leong Tang Chong, who shot down the idea. I urge MIC's legal bureau to quickly state their stand as well. We must be bold.

There shall be no compromise on issues such as this. We have compromised too much already. The MIC's preference for closed door solutions to problems is exactly what lead to the believe that we were not doing anything to solve Indian problems. Our perceived cowardice to stand up to UMNO's bulldozing attitude pertaining to matters of multiracial interest lent credibility to our critics. Enough is enough.

Domain Problems

Update : www.apremnath.com is back online!

Dear readers,

I am having some problems with my www.apremnath.com domain. In the meantime, my blog will still be accessible via www.premnatha.blogspot.com so please bear with me while I get the domain issues sorted out.

Thank you.

Protest against Sri Lankan government attrocities!

MIC Youth and a coalition of Indian NGOs are organizing a demonstration outside the Sri Lankan High Commission to protest against the Sri Lankan governments attrocities against innocent Tamil civilians in the nation.

I urge all Malaysians, especially Indians, to come out in full force. Let us lend our voices to our brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka who are suffering from these attrocities. Do pass the word around!

The demonstration is scheduled on Friday, 14th November at 2.00 pm.

The High Commission of Sri Lanka is located at:

No.12 Jalan Keranji Dua
Off Jalan Kedondong,
Jalan Ampang Hilir,
55000 Kuala Lumpur.

Obama, President-elect of the USA

He did it! Barrack Obama's meteoric rise to the highest office of the free world should now give us all the audacity to hope. A landslide victory too! I guess this is testament to how Americans have matured beyond judging someone by the colour of their skin. I can only hope that Malaysians too will be able to rise to that level of maturity.

That's all for now, folks. Do bear with me until I'm back in Malaysia. :)

This blog was featured in RTM's 'Blog' program.

My previous article, on how Deepavali seems like a forgotten festival, caused this blog to be featured on RTM 1's 'Blog' program on Deepavali eve. Coincidentally, the guest on the show for that day was none other than Putera MIC Coordinator, Mr. P. Kamalanathan. You can see the episode on his blog. Many thanks also to Malaysiakini for publishing the article.

I am currently in Shenzhen, China, for a two week business trip. Due to a heavy schedule and the lack of Internet access, I will not be able to update this blog as often as I would like to. My apologies!

Deepavali, the forgotten festival.

A few days ago, Malaysiakini published a letter by a teacher, expressing disappointment over the scheduling of meetings one day prior to Deepavali. The teacher points out that the meetings could have easily been planned in a way that they do not clash with the festivities, given the fact that the exam dates are known well in advance. Apart from malaysiakini, popular blogger B. Mahendran also highlighted the letter.

The Malaysian Commission for Multimedia and Communication, or MCMC, is organizing a three day broadband expo called MyBroadband. This grand expo, starts the day after Deepavali.

Would the education ministry or MCMC, or any organization for that matter, contemplate holding an event one day before or after Hari Raya? Chinese New Year? Christmas? Then why the complete ignorance of Deepavali? Do the Malaysian Indians not matter to the Education Ministry or MCMC? 

Government bodies aside, even the corporate sector seems to have little regard for Deepavali. Yesterday, my family and I went to Metrojaya in Midvalley to do a little last minute Deepavali shopping. My family has been regularly going to Metrojaya for our shopping needs for several years.

Let me show you a photo I took in Metrojaya yesterday evening.

Nice pretty Christmas trees decorating the retail space at Metrojaya. Nothing wrong with that, except this was done three days BEFORE Deepavali. The only indication, if anything, that they remembered Deepavali was the playing of Tamil songs, probably the one CD in their collection, and the display of miserable 'Happy Deepavali' signs at the entrance. That's it.

Needless to say, my family and I walked out of Metrojaya, and won't be shopping in Metrojaya anytime soon. 

Indians need to collectively and boldly show the buying power that we have. We are obviously not a strong buying power, but we definitely ARE a buying power. If all Indians boycott a particular brand or outlet, we CAN teach them a lesson. 

Let's boycott all brands and outlets that do not recognize us. If they can start preparing for Christmas even before Deepavali, like we do not exist, let's go elsewhere.

If some companies can spend millions on advertisements for Hari Raya, Chinese New Year and Christmas, but forget Deepavali exists, let's forget them. 

If your bank does not take up newspaper space to wish you, does not print angpau packets, does not issue new notes, move your money to another bank that does.

If you fill your car tanks at a station that ignores our festival, lets move to another brand that delights us every year with thoughtful greetings.

Let's show them we matter. Let's show them we mean business. Do pass the word around. Happy Deepavali. May the light of Deepavali shine upon each and every one of us, taking us out of the darkness of ignorance and complacency.

My Home, My PC Program

This Thursday, the Malaysian Indian Technology and Innovation Bureau or MITIB, will launch a program to increase Personal Computer (PC) ownership among Indian families in particular, and Malaysians at large. MITIB, a non-governmental organization initiated by the MIC, in collaboration with Hewlett Packard (HP), will launch this social responsibility program in conjunction with the Deepavali carnival in KL Sentral. Once launched, PCs from as low as RM999 will be available for sale, with 12 months interest-free installments even.

Putera MIC has worked with MITIB closely since the conception of this 'My Home, My PC' program. We feel that encouraging home PC ownership, especially among middle and lower class Indian families, will allow them to get a stronghold in the information technology arena. We sincerely hope Indians will make use of this opportunity. I congratulate MITIB on this remarkable program.

Here's a snapshot from their website. 

Date: Thursday, Oct 16 '08 onwards, (road-shows to other states will be announced soon)

Time: 8.00pm onwards

Venue:  KL Sentral Arena (Next to Le Meridien Hotel, Opposite Brickfields)

 

HP Desktop PC Offer:

 

Processor	AMD LE1250	Intel Pentium Dual
Memory	512 MB	1 GB
Hard Drive	80 GB HDD	160 GB HDD
Optical Drive	DVD ROM	Super Multi Drive+Lightscribe SATA
Operating System (OS)	Microsoft Vista Starter	Microsoft Vista Basic
Display	17” CRT Monitor with Speaker	17” CRT Monitor with Speaker
Price (RM)	999.00	1,199.00
Option to upgrade to 15” TFT Display, please add (RM)	150.00	150.00

 Note: Microsoft vista Starter provides language option i.e. Tamil, Chinese & English to end user

 

Special purchase programme will also be introduced shortly to further enhance My PC, My Home initiative where PC purchasers will be able to attain financing from selected banks and through credits cards for a 12 months interest free installment payment, as well as being able to purchase via EPF. 

As expected, PM to call it quits in March.

Malaysiakini just broke the news that Prime Minister Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will not be defending his party post in the coming elections, effectively paving the way for himself to step down as prime minister.

PM not contesting, to quit in March
Oct 8, 08 4:39pm

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has decided not to defend his Umno president post and will quit in March next year when the ruling party meets at its annual general assembly.

Abdullah told leaders of the 13 Barisan Nasional component parties that he would be stepping down as prime minister in five months at the BN supreme council meeting in Putra World Trade Centre this afternoon.

“PM to step down in March, DPM to take over. He won’t stand for Umno election,” a component party leader told Malaysiakini via an SMS message. The meeting is still underway.

It is also learnt that the BN leaders are presently thanking Abdullah for his leadership.

As the prime minister was briefing BN leaders on the power transfer plan, scores of Abdullah’s supporters gathered outside the PWTC building to urge him to stay on.

Armed with banners, the supporters are calling on the embattled premier to continue until 2010 amid speculations that he might be forced to step down earlier.

The banners read: 'Hormati peralihan kuasa, elakan perpecahan lagi' (Respect the transition of power, avoid further rifts) and 'Pak Lah, teruskan perjuangan' (Pak Lah, continue the struggle).

The supporters also chanted 'Hidup Pak Lah' (Long live Pak Lah) and 'Pak Lah presiden, Najib timbalan'. (Pak Lah as president, Najib as deputy).

Shortest-lived prime minister

Should he resigned in March 2009, Abdullah would be the shortest-lived prime minister, serving a total of five years five months.

Third prime minister Hussein Onn, who resigned in 1981 to make way for Dr Mahathir Mohamad ostensibly due to health concerns, served for five years six months.

Abdullah, who took power on Oct 31, 2003 from Mahathir, won a landslide victory in the March 2004 general election only to suffer an unprecedented defeat four years later.

He was initially buoyed by a groundswell of support for his promises of reform after two decades of hardline rule under Mahathir - the country’s longest serving leader.

However, he was quickly seen as weak and ineffective after failing to come to grips with corruption, high crime rates and inefficient bureaucracy which he had vowed to address.

Donate your old books for a good cause

Many Tamil schools in Malaysia lack one of the most basic education item. Books. Tamil schools, especially partially aided and privately aided schools, often have to stretch their dollars and cents so thin, that they simply cannot afford to stock their libraries, if they have one, that is. Yet, Tamil schools students have time and again proven that they can rise above the odds and compete at par with their government school peers.

Putera MIC wants to give these children a little bit to cheer about. We want to give them encouragement. We want to give them hope to excel. We know that the Indian community can only excel through education. We ask not for money, we ask only for your old, used books, sitting in a box somewhere in your storeroom, collecting dust.

Putera MIC is embarking on a two-month campaign to collect books, to be donated to Tamil school libraries around the country. We call upon kind hearted Malaysians to give us any books, as long as they are still readable and suitable for 7 to 13 year olds. If you have a sizeable amount of books, we'll even come over and pick it up from you. You may donate textbooks, reference books, dictionaries, storybooks, anything. Whatever you can afford to part with.

We have been operating for slightly more than a year, funding our activities from our own pockets mostly. We will continue doing so. We ask not a cent from you. We will fork out what is needed for the logistics of this campaign from our own pockets. But we humbly ask you to donate your books to us. Nothing more.

More details of this campaign is available at http://www.puteramic.net/ including contact details of our members involved in this program. I thank you for all your contributions. You have the power to bring smiles to the faces of these bright children. You have the power to engage actively in helping the community.

Thank you very much.

Update: Book Donation Contact Person

Thanasekaran @ 012 4801989 (Project Director)

Umabaran @ 012 5875215 (Penang),
Saravanan @ 012 3375729 (Johor)
Maheswaran @ 012 4630320 (Kedah),
Rama @ 012 6957150 (Melaka)
Gobi @ 012 4575848 (Perak),
Dr.Thina @ 017 2802767 (Negeri Sembilan)
Parry @ 012 3402749 (Selangor),
Visirajan @ 012 9715502 (KL)

No need to drama lah Mike!

Yesterday, all three Tamil dailies reported that Kapar MP YB Manikavasagam (PKR) had decided to quit his post as Selangor Deputy PKR Chief, if no serious action is taken against those responsible for demolishing the Sri Maha Kaliamman Temple in Ampang. For a day at least, it seemed as though the newly minted YB was a man worthy of respect.

Today however, Malaysiakini reports that he is not going to quit after all. “Manikavasagam will retain his post as PKR deputy liaison chief for Selangor following the suspension of the person behind the demolition,” his secretary is reported saying in Malaysiakini.

Who are you people taking for a ride lah? First one PKR MP comes out to say the temple was brought down by their own committee. Then another hero, YB Xavier, says it was just a shrine, not a temple. I wonder if he would have said something similar if it was a church. Then the PKR government accepted that it was their fault and apologized. But of course, they conveniently blamed the MPAJ enforcement officers.

Now, Manikavasagam takes the drama one level higher. For God's sake... the officer was suspended for ONE WEEK! That too during the Raya break, which is about a week anyway! When contacted, the officer even said that he had not even received any suspension notice, and is away on Raya holiday. Some punishment this is!

Notice how the menteri besar has been very silent on this issue. He must have a big fat ketupat in his mouth. Indians not important enough for you anymore Tan Sri?

Yesterday, MIC Youth protested outside the Menteri Besar's office. They handed a memo to his political secretary, but still not a word from him. It was heartwarming to see Indians wearing Makkal Sakthi and Hindraf uniforms standing in unity with those from the MIC.

The fact is, the PKR led Selangor government has cheated the Indian community. After winning the majority of the Indian votes in Selangor by championing the demolition of a temple by the previous government, after promising the world to Indians, you have failed to deliver! PKR TIPU MASYARAKAT INDIA!

Selamat Hari Raya & Happy Holidays

Here's wishing you all Selamat Hari Raya and happy holidays. Do drive safely.

For the next week or so, our entire country will be pretty much shut off. Pos Malaysia announced they will be closed until the 5th. University Malaya is so empty, there are no operators to answer your call, even if you call on a day that's not a public holiday this week. Just about every government department will be locked shut the next one week. Heck, an army could probably invade us in just a day as we shut everything and eat ketupat. That is what you get when one race dominates the entire civil service.

Have fun folks.

Don't cross the line, Thanenthiran!

Yesterday, Malaysiakini published an article with comments from Hindraf's coordinator RS Thanenthiran. According to Malaysiakini, Thanenthiran was quoted to have said "Samy Vellu should kneel and beg for (forgiveness) for his wrongdoings (against) the community if he is sincere and honest about seeking freedom for our leaders."

Now, this is crossing the line. Mr. Thanenthiran, who are you? What have YOU done for the Indian community? You're just riding on the publicity wave of Hindraf, for which five others are paying a heavy price. Then again, perhaps deep down, you don't really want them released, since their release will relegate you to what you really are, nothing!

The MIC, our president included, may not have done ALL that could be done for the community. Maybe we did not do enough. But anybody who says we have done nothing is ignorant. We have learnt our lesson, and we are trying our best to make ammends. This includes trying our best to get the Hindraf five out, knowing very well that we are not going to get much gratitude for it. In fact, the very five we're trying to get released will probably come out and condemn us more. But that is besides the point. Let's just get them out first. They and their families have suffered enough.

Why can't everyone just do their own share of work, instead of constantly pointing at each other, worrying about intentions, politicking non-stop? Would it hurt the Indian community if two or more parties work for them? Seriously, would it? Look at the Chinese! Learn! When Theresa Kok was arrested, ALL Chinese parties, BN and opposition, fought for her release. They didn't fight with each other. The Ahmad Ismail case, ALL Chinese parties fought for his punishment. They didn't ridicule each others' effort.

It is ironic that the very people who go around claiming that the MIC is irrelevant, are so interested in everything the MIC does. The very people who claim the MIC is no longer the representative of the Indian community, are the first to ask "What is MIC going to do about this?" the moment there is an issue.

You do your work, we do ours, let the people be the judge!

Bah Humbug!

It would not be far off the truth to say that the catalyst for Indian votes to sway from BN was the breaking of a Hindu temple in Kampung Jawa, Klang. Hindraf was a force to be reckoned with overnight. Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Rakyat embraced Hindraf with open arms. Anwar championed the temple issue. The Indians bought it. Our saviour, some thought. Humbug!

So how come, Anwar, how come the Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya, which is now under Pakatan Rakyar control, in the Pakatan Rakyat ruled Selangor, tore down the Sri Maha Kaliamman at No.3 Jalan Baru (Jalan Ulu Langat) Hulu Langat, Kg. Tasek 68000 Ampang, Selangor? Humbug!

I have not read any news on thie demolition in the mainstream media. Malaysiakini covered the Kampung Jawa temple demolition extensively. Why the silence now? Humbug!

Hindraf has posted photos of the destruction on their website. But why the deafening silence? Where are the opposition Indian MPs who once boldly claimed that the MIC is not needed anymore to represent the Indian community since they now hold the louder Indian voice in parliament? Humbug!

I have always maintained that it is only a matter of time before the Indians realize that Anwar Ibrahim and his PR allies have taken the community for a ride. Anwar's sole ambition is to become Prime Minister. He will promise the world to all who will listen. To the Indians, he already has. Now his promises are showing cracks. Humbug!

Photos taken from www.hindraf.org

The Day After

September 16 came and went by, all the drama fizzling out to nothing. Today, we have some new developments though. I just got a Malaysiakini sms update that the Prime Minister and his deputy have swapped their Finance and Defense portfolios. They went on to reaffirm their respective commitments to the 2010 handover plan, with the Prime Minister saying he may quit earlier, depending on Dato' Seri Najib's performance. I guess this is a step forward for the BN leadership, with clear signs than the baton is being passed.

In the meantime, Tan Sri Muhyiddin has come out strongly against Anwar, accusing the latter of using his name to pinch MPs. This should put to rest speculation that Muhyiddin was about to lead a bunch of Umno MPs across to PR.

So what now for Anwar? Except hardcore PR supporters who insist Anwar still can overthrow the government, if not today, tomorrow, if not tomorrow, the day after, if not... (insert your preferred timeline here), the rest of the people out are beginning to show signs of being sick with all this political uncertainty.

Anwar can go on extending his self set dateline to come to power, but in my opinion, he has probably a week to show Malaysians some action for all his rhetoric, or he will be dismissed as a piper who took the whole country for a stroll. Time will tell.

Hats off to you, Dr. Subra

I read with pride and renewed hope, the statement by Datuk Dr. S. Subramaniam, Human Resources Minister and MIC Secretary General, on the ISA arrests. Malaysiakini reported the statement as 'Another minister questions ISA dragnet', which I repost below for your convenience.

Finally, a senior MIC politician has come out strongly against something that is an insult to the laws of our country. I agree wholeheartedly with the learned doctor's view that every time the ISA is used, it only leads to perception that the government has something up its sleeve, and is trying to subdue someone, over and beyond recognized democratic means.

I also support one hundred percent, his call to Anwar to stop putting the entire nation on the line in his bid to grab power. Enough already! The people have given you a mandate to rule in five states. Show them what you can do by working for the people! Prove yourself! All this talk about defections and what not, only serves to destabilize the nation. Every time Anwar opens his mouth, the stock market plunges! Investors are moving their money out in record numbers! For the sake of the country and all Malaysians, let's stop all the politicking. It has been 150 days since the elections. Let's get own with business. Please don't risk the nation to satisfy your greed for power!

Another minister questions ISA dragnet

Sep 14, 08 5:42pm

Every time someone is arrested under the Internal Security Act, it gives rise to a perception that the government is unable to charge and convict the person under existing laws, said Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam. "Do we need such a false perception?" asked the MIC secretary-general in a statement today. Subramaniam said as a government sensitive to the feelings of the people, it cannot be blind to the fact that a significant proportion of the rakyat abhor the ISA and would prefer it not be used. "We have adequate laws in the country to deal with all forms of errant, irresponsible, and dangerous behaviour. Why not use them?  "The prospect of a person being detained without a chance of being heard and to defend himself is against the grains of present day popular belief," he added. On Friday, the police detained controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin, DAP MP Teresa Kok and Sin Chew Daily journalist Tan Hoon Cheng under the security law which provides for detention without trial. Tan, who penned the report regarding the derogatory remarks made by Umno leader Ahmad Ismail regarding the Chinese community, was released yesterday afternoon. Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar subsequently said that she was arrested in order to ensure her "personal safety". Situation causing anxiety Meanwhile, Subramaniam said the present political situation in the country has caused a lot of anxiety and worry for the people irrespective of race.  "There is an urgent need for everyone irrespective of political backgrounds and ideologies to be acutely aware of the situation and behave responsibly.  "Freedom has to be used responsibly, in order to achieve its full potential. Unbridled freedom in the hands of the irresponsible can lead to anarchy and lead to the demise of the very institution of productive freedom," he said. "Bloggers like Raja Petra must realise that they cannot use the pathways of freedom available in the cyberworld to insight, provoke and humiliate others without the risk of punitive action being taken against them. Blogging has to become responsible," he added. Likewise, he said, politicians like Ahmad Ismail should realise that the campaign platforms of a by-election cannot be used to question the rights of any group which has been enshrined in the federal constitution.  "The children of the migrants of yesteryears have done no sin for their fundamental rights to be so questioned and they be decreed to the level of second-class citizens.  "We would have expected that after 50 years of independence we would have overgrown such suspicions and be capable of acting with a greater degree of maturity," he added. 'Anwar's obsession' Subramaniam also ticked off Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim for trying to "pawn" the entire nation to satisfy his obsession of wanting to become the prime minister. "The people are fed up of all his antics to destabilise the democratically-elected government by unlawful and questionable means.  "Although there is very little chance of him succeeding in his attempts but the effects of these actions on the daily lives of the people and the economy of the country cannot be denied. He and his supporters should stop such antics immediately," he added. On the contrary, the minister suggested that opposition alliance Pakatan Rakyat concentrate on administering the states under their control whilst allowing the BN to continue with the task of running the federal government and the states under it’s control. "He (Anwar) should wait for the next general election to decide whether he could be the prime minister of the country," said Subramaniam. Anwar, who returned to Parliament after a 10-year absence, has promised to launch a political coup with defections from the ruling coalition.

Shooting the messengers!

Malaysiakini was the first to break the story of Raja Petra's arrest yesterday afternoon. I received Malaysiakini's sms alert just minutes after RPK was arrested. His arrest was not entirely unexpected, but nevertheless it is still a shame. But the real shock came last night, first when news broke that the Sin Chew journalist who reported the Ahmad Ismail story was arrested, then later when Theresa Kok was arrested, all under the draconian, merciless and unjust Internal Security Act, ISA.

First things first. I believe that the use of ISA, against ANYONE, is unwarranted. I view the ISA, which allows for detention without trial, as nothing short of an insult to our courts and the justice system. Surely, if someone is a threat to national security, we have existing laws to deal with them. Charge them in court! The entire ISA should be repealed! It's a draconian law that is open to abuse, and its continued use is a step backward for a democracy.

Second, ISA or not, the fact that the messengers are being shot, with the real perpetrators let off with a slap on the wrist is simply too bitter to swallow. The Sin Chew journalist, in particular, was simply doing her job. Unless it is brought to light that she actually did twist facts to intentionally create racial disharmony, which I seriously doubt, then she was merely doing her job. Reporting what an UMNO leader said in his ceramah. It is Ahmad Ismail who should be sitting locked up now, not the journalist.

RPK, now that's a whole different chapter. It's a given fact that the guy writes the most sensational stories, true or otherwise. He has already been charged for sedition. So why the need to lock him up now without trial? Why can't the powers than be simply let the law take its due course? What good is unblocking access to his site (which shouldn't have been blocked to begin with), then arresting him under the ISA the next day? I think the government BADLY needs some new Public Relations advisors!

Theresa Kok on the other hand, well I must admit, I'm not too familiar with the background of the case against her. There wasn't much in the news. Nothing concrete anyway. The issue seemed more like some political mudslinging between her and Khir Toyo, then suddenly it resulted in her arrest. I know it has something to do with azans and Khir Toyo accusing her of asking for mosques to press the mute button. The mosque itself has come out and denied it, she has denied it, so why arrest her now? Even if she did make such a call, while it may be considered by some as rather disrespectful, is it a direct threat to national security?

Enough is enough. The powers that be seem to have lost all bearings. Instead of correcting the mistakes that drove BN supporters away, it seems they are intent on keeping them away, and drive out whatever remaining support we enjoy!

An Evening with Dr. Abdul Kalam

Salam Merdeka! Hope you all enjoyed the long weekend.

Last Friday, Putera MIC leaders including myself were priviledged to attend a talk by the distinguished, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of the Republic of India. The event was organized by the Honourable Society for the Lincoln's Inn Alumni of Malaysia in partnership with the Faculty of Law, University of Malaya.

It was not his speech that was impressive. It was the man. The aura, the enigma. Putera MIC was particularly honoured at being able to present him a small token of our admiration of this great man.

I reproduce here, a small message to youth from Dr. Abdul Kalam, taken from his website, part of which he shared with us during the talk.


Knowledge makes you great

While I am with you, I would like to talk about knowledge.

Knowledge has four components, creativity, righteousness, courage and indomitable spirit. That the combination of these characteristics can generate enlightened citizens.

Let us look at the first component Creativity:

“Learning gives creativity
Creativity leads to thinking
Thinking provides knowledge
Knowledge makes you great”

The next component of knowledge is Righteousness. The power of Righteousness is described in a divine hymn, which is as follows:

"Where there is righteousness in the heart
There is beauty in the character.
When there is beauty in the character,
There is harmony in the home.
When there is harmony in the home.
There is order in the nation.
When there is order in the nation,
There is peace in the world."

The third component is Courage, which is defined as follows:

"Courage to think different,
Courage to invent,
Courage to travel into an unexplored path,
Courage to discover the impossible,
Courage to combat the problems a

And Succeed, are the unique qualities of the youth. As a youth of my nation, I will work and work with courage to achieve success in all the missions."

The fourth component is Indomitable Spirit.

I would like to recall a great clarion call of indomitable spirit, which was given by Sir C V Raman, at the age of 82. The message is still reverberating in my mind:

“I would like to tell the young men and women before me not to lose hope and courage. Success can only come to you by courageous devotion to the task lying in front of you. I can assert without fear of contradiction that the quality of the Indian mind is equal to the quality of any Teutonic, Nordic or Anglo-Saxon mind. What we lack is perhaps courage, what we lack is perhaps driving force, which takes one anywhere. We have, I think, developed an inferiority complex. I think what is needed in India today is the destruction of that defeatist spirit. We need a spirit of victory, a spirit that will carry us to our rightful place under the sun, a spirit, which will recognize that we, as inheritors of a proud civilization, are entitled to a rightful place on this planet. If that indomitable spirit were to arise, nothing can hold us from achieving our rightful destiny."

Hence friends, now you realize, knowledge is equal to the equation:

Knowledge = Creativity + Righteousness+ Courage+ Indomitable spirit.

Congrats Anwar, now deliver your promises!

The people of Permatang Pauh have spoken. As expected, Anwar Ibrahim retained the seat that was vacated by his wife. All well and good. Congratulations, YB. Now perhaps you will get to work instead of repeating rhetoric after rhetoric. I am still waiting to see the countless promises made to the Indian community by Anwar before the GE materialize. It is going to be six months since the elections. PR has control of five states. Where are the goodies you promised the Indians?

It is interesting that Hindraf, which was the catalyst for the switch to PR by indian voters themselves seem to be questioning the sincerity of Anwar's PR in delivering the promises made to the Indian community. The call by Waythamoorthy to PR states to endorse their 18 point demand seems to have fallen on deaf years. I'm not surprised. I expected this.

Now the Hindraf leaders seem to be mudslinging each other in public. Hindraf is not even a year old, mind you, and we already have cracks. So much for championing the unity of Indians, when the top six people can't be united!

Of late, I notice some unsavoury comments made in my chatbox. The very tone of the comments suggest that it is by some intellectually challenged individuals incapable of debating issues maturely. Name calling and swearing only reflects your upbringing. This is a typical case of people who think they can say whatever they want online, but in reality, are cowards. It wouldn't take me long to disable the chatbox, but I am not going to do it, for now at least. Criticism is fine, but be decent. Be constructive. Don't make fools out of yourselves.

Hishamuddin, wake up please!

Today, Malaysiakini has published yet another article on the 'racist teacher issue'. This time we have the Coalition of Indian NGOs secretary speaking out. The Malaysiakini article is attached below for reference.

It has been a full 24 hours since Dato Seri' Samy Vellu's statement was published calling on the Education Minister to take sterner action against the teacher concerned. But nothing so far. Why? Is this really that small a matter? Are Malaysian Indians that insignificant?

More disturbing is news that racial abuse cases are now surfacing in a school in Taman Klang Jaya. Apparently five police reports have been lodged, but no action so far. All the more reason why stern and swift action must be taken. Now!

Where are the MIC's partners in the Barisan Nasional coalition? Why is there such a deafening silence from our 'brothers' in the coalition? This is seen as an 'Indian' issue. That is very wrong. This is a national issue. The very notion that our education system is supposed to fortify unity among the various fabric of multiracial Malaysian society is now in question.


Minister's silence on 'racist' teacher irks Indian NGOs

Aug 14, 08 5:28pm

Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein's continued silence on the case of a teacher who fired a volley of racial insults at her Indian students has irked the Coalition of Malaysian Indian NGOs.

In a statement, coalition secretary Gunaraj George said the teacher, who has since been transferred from SMK Telok Panglima Garang, had not only bullied the students but also sullied the entire Indian community with her verbal tirade.

"Given this, shouldn't the education minister say something about the entire episode which has not only traumatised the students but also deeply hurt the feelings of the Indian community at large?'' he asked.

He said it was also disturbing that the teacher appears to have been rewarded by being sent to a better school which is nearer to her home instead of being severely reprimanded.

"The minister must do what is right by the Indian community by not appearing to close an eye to the teacher's uncalled for behavior,'' he added.

Becoming rampant

The 35-year-old history teacher had on two occasions last month called Indian students in a Form Four and Form Five class ‘black monkeys’, ‘Negroes’ and ‘keling pariah’.

She had also said that Indians came from dogs and prostitutes and that the community's youths did not have testicles and that its women constantly menstruated.

"Isn't this serious enough for the minister to intervene? What else is he waiting for?'' asked Gunaraj.

He said that racism and abuse of Indian students were becoming rampant in certain schools and unless the minister does something about it the situation could get out of hand.

"It has also been brought to our attention that similar abuse is being leveled against students in a primary school in Taman Klang Jaya,'' alleged Gunaraj.

He said the Indian students there are constantly scolded by teachers and told to transfer to other schools.

Gunaraj said that five police reports have been lodged against the teachers to date from November last year.

He also commended the community leaders for speaking out and criticising the government’s inaction, demanding the teacher to be reprimanded accordingly.

'Sack the teacher'

Yesterday, MIC president S Samy Vellu called for severe action to be taken against the teacher, saying that he regarded her transfer as a form of appreciation rather than punishment.

Prior to this, MIC Youth's education bureau also expressed disappointment that the teacher had been let off the hook.

Also expressing displeasure over the 'light' sentence was the Malaysian Indian Business Association (Miba).

Its president P Sivakumar told Malaysiakini that the action taken against the teacher did not match the severity of the offence committed.

"A transfer would not teach her a lesson, it is almost as if she escaped unscathed.

"In fact, she should be sacked and we fail to understand why the ministry is viewing this matter so lightly. The Indian community is unhappy over this," he added.

Sivakumar said a stern action would deter other educators from repeating a similar offence, regardless of race.

Rusnita Abu Hassan, we Indians WILL get you!

Malaysiakini has featured an article quoting Dato' Seri Samy Vellu urging the Education Ministry to take stern action against the now infamous 'racist teacher'. I reproduce the Malaysiakini article below for reference. In the meantime, my sources tell me Pn. Rusnita Abu Hassan has been tranferred to the smart school SMK Telok Datok, Banting. The students affected have also reiterated that they WILL file a civil suit. Good. Remember... babi balik China, cikgu balik mana?

A little bird also whispered to me that Pn. Rusnita was the recipient of an award for outstanding performance from the Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah Kuala Langat recently. Sigh. Why am I not surprised?

I tried to post a photo of Pn. Rusnita, but it doesn't seem to appear. You can see her smiling mugshot at

http://tamiluyir.blogspot.com/

or at

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyz5Dj4Nw2hG7jnhWOfRcSauZh6ctISEXAP3hKQMDjVsFfBlVHa8jDMaiUS1eQSQCl240BfclQqXyp8wH361Zgoq29g0BnYGz3GG_H0Z7nuadzi-JJN1EuzT0mpr4i27Dzci4g6di_NcaS/s1600-h/rusnita.JPG

From Malaysiakini:

Samy: Take severe action against 'racist' teacher

Aug 13, 08 1:49pm
MIC has urged the Education Ministry to take severe action against a teacher in Banting who uttered seditious and derogatory words against her Indian students recently.

In a statement today, MIC president S Samy Vellu said the party and the Indian community would not accept the teacher to be let off the hook with "a light sentence."

"It looks as if anyone who calls the Indian community with all sorts of unwanted words will not be punished, but instead sent to a better school," he added.

Samy was referring to the ministry's decision to transfer the 35-year-old history teacher to another school, located closer to her house, and attend counseling.

He questioned the decision by the ministry, saying that he regarded the move to transfer her to a smart school as "a form of appreciation."

Samy Vellu said he would write to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to express the party's displeasure over the ministry's lack of stern action against the teacher.

"This sort of people (teacher) will give the government of Barisan Nasional a bad name and may reduce the support of the Indian community," he added.

The veteran politician felt that the ministry should be more sensitive to matters of this kind where an entire community was insulted by a teacher who was a government servant.

He said the director-general of the education department must personally look into the case as such incidents could destroy the basic foundation of cooperation in this country.

Apology not good enough

Early this month, two students from SMK Telok Panglima Garang in Kuala Langat filed police reports against the teacher.

They revealed that the teacher had called Indian students 'keling pariah', 'Negro' and 'black monkeys', amongst other derogatory names.

In their reports, the Form Four and Form Five students said the teacher also told students during class that 'Indians came from dogs', Indians are 'children of prostitutes' and the community is 'stupid'.

She also supposedly stated that the community's youths 'do not have testicles', 'always menstruate' and indulge in 'thuggery and theft'.

Yesterday, MIC Youth's education bureau had also called for stiffer action to be taken against the teacher.

"This is an issue which touches on racial sentiments. It does not involve an individual but refers to a large number of Indian students," said bureau chief M Saravanan.

"The teacher’s apology to the students and parents involved is not the best solution and does not diminish the gravity of her action.

"Transferring (to another school) is not a form of punishment or harsh (enough) punishment for a teacher who crossed the boundaries," he added.

Meanwhile, DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang had called on Education Minister Hishamuddin Hussein to explain why no stern action was taken.

Babi balik China, Cikgu balik mana? (2)

Malaysiakini today published the stand of Pemuda MIC on the 'racist teacher issue'. However, it appears that 'action' has already been taken. Malaysian-style. Today's NST, in an article aptly titled Racial abuse teacher gets 'a better deal' details the 'action' that has been taken against the teacher. She has been tranferred to a smart-school, which is supposedly a better school than her previous school, located nearer to her home.

How nice! Why stop there? Why not the education department go a step further and give her a promotion? Perhaps make her a headmistress! State Education director Ashah Samah said she had wanted to transfer the person out of the state but had acceded to a request from the teacher to remain in the district. How thoughtful of Pn. Ashah. This shows just how seriously the authorities are treating this case.

Let me ask you Pn. Ashah, would you have been so thoughtful if an Indian teacher had used deragotary terms against Malay students? No. I'm sure you won't. In fact, nevermind the education department. Pemuda Umno would have organized protests outside the school, keris in hand, demanding for blood. But that is not the case here. The teacher only insulted Indians. No big deal, right?

Actually, I don't give two hoots what action the education department takes. We'll deal with them eventually. What about the police? Police reports have been lodged. What is the outcome of the police investigations? When can I expect charges to be filed? I want to see that teacher pay the FULL price of her actions. No, I'm not willing to forgive and forget. Why must Indians always be the ones to forgive and forget. Charge her! Let her rot behind bars. Once she is convicted of a crime, the education department will have to sack her.

If all else fails, I hope we can get the affected students to file civil lawsuits. I will get my lawyer friends to represent them. For free. I hope the students are willing to see this through. I definitely am! Cikgu, you want to know if Indians have testicles? I'll show you.

Babi balik China, Cikgu balik mana?

First, I apologize for the long absence. I was unwell.

What a week it has been. First there was this extremely capable teacher unnecessarily troubled when some of her ungrateful Indian students lodged police reports against her simply because she uttered some harmless words about their race. To think that the Deputy Education Minister threatened to sack her over such a small matter. Luckily our very own Indian Deputy Minister visited the school, 'solved' the problem by getting them to shake hands, and reduced her punishment to a transfer. Our savior! Long live! While the Malay politicians fight for the Malay cause and the Chinese politicians fight for the Chinese cause, only the Indians fight for all races.

Then we had some towering Malays forced to protest outside the Bar Council office. It was because this irresponsible association of lawyers had the audacity to organize a forum to discuss conversion to Islam. How seditious of them! A forum! Lucky they were stopped within an hour by shouts of "Babi, balik China" and threats to storm the venue. If not, I dread to think what the forum could have achieved. I must thank the police for protecting the protesters and harassing the forum organizers. On an unrelated matter, I wish to duly inform you all that the police water cannons have been sent for repairs, so they are currently unavailable. The police hope to have them back by the 25th of November.

Well, a lot of people have already commented on both the above topics, so as much as I have a lot to say, I'll just let you read between the lines.

Heads you lose, Tails I win!

Malaysiakini has featured an interesting article written by Mr. S. Murugesan, my fellow brother in the MIC. He has hailed Datuk Seri Wan Azizah as the true hero, the brave woman that held the fort for her beloved husband. I do not disagree. Wan Azizah always struck me as a reluctant politician. A politician who was thrown into the ring out of situation, not choice. She has kept the fort well, indeed.

However, it is the other segment of Mr. Murugesan's article that struck a chord with my view on this by-election saga. Why now? Who not in April as soon as Datuk Seri Anwar was eligible. Why not later, after the sodomy allegation is dealt with, one way or the other? Murugesan summed it perfectly with the term 'heads you lose, tails I win' analogy.

Anwar Ibrahim is as shrewd a politician as they come by. A master manipulator of public sympathy and perception. By announcing his candidacy now, he is seeking the upper hand. If he is charged for sodomy, he will claim that this is just to stop him from coming to power. If he is not charged after all the hoo-haa, the government will be seen as having harassed him without basis. Smart.

The Prime Minister said today that the due process of law will go on. If and when Anwar is charged, I hope the evidence will be concrete, and not leave the public in doubt. The sodomy allegation may be a legal issue. But public perception is a national issue. In politics, perception is stronger than the truth. The government simply cannot afford a botched trial.

The EC has sixty days to have a by-election. Let's see how all the timelines play out.

Sigh... In the meantime, it's going to be more days of politicking ahead. From the time the General Election results were announced in March, it has been non-stop politicking, and as a result, the nation seems to be on autocruise. I wish we can put all the politicking behind us and get to work. BN or PR, they both have governments to run and people to serve!

Anwar makes his move

First it was speculated that Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim will contest in Bandar Tun Razak, then it was Bandar Baru Kulim. Now, he has finally announced that he will contest in his old seat, Permatang Pauh, which was held by his wife until her resignation today.

Well, looks like it's going to be election fever again soon. The Election Commission has to announce a by-election in the constituency within 60 days.

Stay tuned folks.

UMNO, Please don't betray Barisan Nasional!

First, I must thank Malaysiakini for including my last post in their 'Malaysiakini in Blogs' section. A quarter of the total visitors to this blog as of now, visited yesterday.

I want to say my piece on the recent PAS-UMNO discussions. Initially, it was reported that the discussions were regarding 'Malay issues'. Then it became 'Malay unity'. Now there seem to be outright political negotiations.

Let's get one thing straight. UMNO is the main party in Barisan Nasional. UMNO is NOT Barisan Nasional. The BN's very backbone is multi-racial representation. BN simply MUST move in the direction of Malaysian unity, not Malay unity. Forming an alliance with PAS in the interest of 'keeping control in the hands of the Malays' is unacceptable.

When 100,000 Indians took to the streets, our hearts were with them. They voiced out on the streets in one day, what the MIC has been fighting for within closed doors for the last 50 years. We could have easily done that. It would not have taken the MIC too long to mobilize 100,000 people on the streets. But we did not. Because we respected the BN spirit. We even tried in futility to defend the BN against those people. We paid dearly for it.

Now some people claim the MIC did nothing at all for the last 50 years. We may have not done enough, but we definitely tried. Unfortunately, we tried within closed doors. We tried within the BN framework. We did not get all that we asked for. Within the give and take spirit of the BN, we did our best. We worked quietly.

After ALL this, after all that the other partners in the BN have sacrificed in the last election, in the name of Barisan Nasional, if UMNO tries to team up with PAS, there will be no bigger act of betrayal to the Barisan Nasional spirit. There will be no greater damper to the quest for Malaysian unity.

There are simply no short cuts to unity. There can only be unity when there is equality. There can only be unity when there is respect. There can only be unity when UMNO does not go out of its way to enforce 'Ketuanan Melayu'!

Indians Fed Up Says Malaysiakini

Malaysiakini has run an article quoting Hindraf alligned groups stating their frustration at the Pakatan Rakyat run governments. Well, I expected this sooner or later. In fact, I expect more of such statements in the not too distant future. the Anwar Ibrahim led opposition election campaign was quick to make full use of the genuine frustration felt by Indians and being the shrewd manipulator Anwar is, he made the most out of the Indians. But now, after winning unprecedented support from the Indian community, they are left to rot. Of course, opposition supporters would be quick to point out that we have a first Indian Deputy Chief Minister and Speaker, but this is eyewash. The average Indian out there gains nothing. The Indian community has been taken for a ride.

I reproduce here, the article from Malaysiakini...

Indian groups fed up with Pakatan gov'ts

Athi Veeranggan Jul 29, 08 4:12pm

Several Indian civil movements are fed up with the indifferent attitude of Pakatan Rakyat governments.

Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), Penang Makkal Sakti Welfare Association (Pemaswa) and newly formed Hindu Action Network (Han) want the new Pakatan governments to form state Indian councils led by the menteri besar or chief minister.

The suggested councils will plan and implement beneficial programmes for the Indian community, with short, medium and long term goals.

According to Hindraf national coordinator TS Thanenthiran, the Pakatan governments have failed to fulfill their promises.

He said during the elections, Pakatan used the Hindraf tagline Makkal Sakti but since winning they have not unveiled any policy to benefit the community.

"Pakatan Rakyat ruling parties, be it DAP in Penang, PAS in Kedah and Perak and PKR in Selangor, seemed to have made empty electoral promises to the Indians," he added.

He stressed Hindraf would continue to fight along the movement’s 18-point memorandum submitted to the federal government last year.

Temple demolitions, non-existence of kindergartens in Tamil schools, private and public sector marginalisation and high suicide rates, are some of the issues the memorandum covers.

'Reps betrayed the community'

Meanwhile, Pemaswa president G Asoghan claimed that Indian leaders in the Pakatan government have "betrayed the Indian community’s trust in them" to deliver the goods.

"Until today, the state governments, particularly Indian leaders, are resting on their laurels," he said.

He claimed that more from MIC, PPP and IPF have benefited from the DAP government in Penang than genuine Hindraf supporters.

Han coordinator G Mugunthan (left) criticised Penang’s elected Indian assemblypersons of protecting their chronic self-interests when they rejected a previous DAP proposal for a state council.

Though DAP members were keen for a one-stop council, the DAP Indian assemblypersons rejected it as "it will put undue pressure on them to deliver."

"Now they are freely doing anything according to their whims and fancies," he said, adding that the appointment of an Indian as Penang deputy chief minister has been more "a curse than a blessing" to the community.

"It has only helped some chronic characters from BN."

Hindraf, Han and Pemaswa plan to organise a joint dialogue session with all relevant Pakatan Rakyat heads of state governments over the issue.