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.