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.