This piece of news would have sent shudders down the community’s collective spine! It would be better if the Cabinet Committee keeps tabs on the allocations, since it involves more than just MIC. But no, MIC wants all the name and fame.

MIC to ensure allocations reach Indians, says Samy

KUALA LUMPUR: The MIC will en­sure that allocations under the RM7bil stimulus package reach the Indian community, its president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said.

He said the MIC economic bureau would ensure that the package an­­nounced by Finance Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Tuesday benefited everyone in the community.

“We will coordinate its implementation through the special Cabinet Committee on Indian Affairs chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Samy Vellu also called for a speedier implementation of programmes and plans by government agencies.

He expressed confidence that the Government would ensure a fair distribution of the perks under the package.

“The MIC will concentrate on the economic agenda with priority on seeking business loans for young Indian entrepreneurs, especially in SMEs and SMIs.

“The RM200mil allocation for micro-credit loans is one area where we can look into,” he said.

Samy Vellu said the party would work with the Education Ministry on the RM50mil allocation for Tamil schools.

He said the elimination of import duties on cement as well as iron and steel products would reduce the cost of reconstructing Tamil schools.

There are many organisations that can help to monitor - EWRF, Tamil Foundation, HINDRAF (albeit illegal), IPF, PPP, and so on. Tamil Foundation’s president K Uthayasoorian says:

Proper financial controls should be put in place to monitor the use of government funds allocated for Tamil schools. He said experience had taught him that “all the promises (of the past) were just publicity stunts”.
“We want to see some value. We would prefer a policy decision on how the money is going to be used to upgrade the schools, as we never know where the money goes,” he claimed when contacted.

“The government should form a committee to monitor the disbursement and at the same time ensure that there is transparency in spending.”

“The RM50 million is a good amount and should be sufficient for Tamil schools although it has come late,” said Uthayasoorian.“Preferably we would like to see this amount being used to convert all partially-aided schools to fully-aided Tamil schools as this would eliminate problems related to private funding, repair works and so on,” Uthayasoorian added.

NUTP’s president Hashim Adnan says it succintly:

It is high time that the government gives assistance to all schools, instead of limiting this to national-type schools.

We welcome the RM200 million allocation. The amount may be insufficient, but it is a good start by the government.

After all the Chinese, Indian and missionary and religious schools have Malaysian children studying there. They should now be given the same (financial) support as national-type schools.

This will provide everyone with an equal opportunity to gain quality education. The government must remember that an investment in education is an investment in the future, as pupils will become future leaders and contribute back to society.

In the past, these schools depended on donations in cash and kind to survive. This was why pupils studied in an inadequate environment, (having to put up) with broken-down furniture and leaking roofs. I hope this will be a thing of the past for the schools.

I hope that the funds would be channeled appropriately to the schools and not be hijacked by unscrupulous bureaucrats or politicians. After all this is for the benefit of our children. It is hoped that the Chinese and Indian students will not feel that (their needs) have been left out.

I hope the amount will be increased by the government, so that all schools benefit. This should not be a one-off thing.

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more details on the RM50 million allocation to Tamil schools (part of RM200 million to 4 types of schools) has been provided:

When contacted, Education director-general Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom said that the move would improve Malaysian education as many schools would benefit.

“The allocation is meant primarily for schools to upgrade their infrastructure and furniture,” he said.

“On top of that, the allocation can also help schools improve their teaching and learning tools.”

Thus, the money is not meant for changing status of schools from partial to fully aided status. What we can expect is possibly construction of new buildings, rewiring works, extension of buildings, furniture/teaching aid purchase, and so on.

The main aim is to ensure that contractors can get some projects, and the economy is so stagnant. All the schools will clamor to finish the money. So, this will boost the industrial sector

Meanwhile the MIC clarified that the party had identified Tamil schools which were in dire need of repairs and the funds should be channelled soon to remedy the situation.

Party information chief Datuk M. Saravanan, who is also Federal Territories Deputy Minister, said if the Government would provide the same amount for the next five years, then the woes of Tamil schools could be solved by 2013.

“There are many Tamil schools which are in dire need of funding to rebuild their buildings. I hope that the RM50mil is just a start.

“This also shows that the Government is committed towards assisting Tamil schools. We hope that this aid can continue for the next five years,” he said when met at the Parliament lobby.

He said a list of Tamil schools which needed assistance had been handed over to the Government and hoped that the Education Ministry would put this on fast track.

Earlier, Dr S Subra said need to talk with Samy Vellu, while now Saravanan said the list of school in need of help has been given to the government. Its good that if they have such a list so that can save time.

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MIC Youth has launched a eye care program from Tamil schools students with cooperation from England Optical Group. A student just need to pay RM50 for a package inclusive of the spectacles frames for either short- or long-sightedness. If there are any students from poor family, MIC Youth will cover the cost.

The eye care company will also conduct computerised eye checks, eye washing via ultrasonic, and correction of spectacle frames throughout all Tamil schools in the country, for the next one year.

According to MIC Youth website, the MOU was signed recently, witnessed by Samy Vellu.

The official statement is on their website, together with photos

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