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Earlier, MIC did not clarify on its stand over the medium to be used for teaching of Science and Maths. After the final roundtable discussion, MIC representative said that they were still compiling feedback from the schools. Thursday evening, MIC issued statement that it will recommend to the cabinet that the subjects to be taught in Tamil, in line with the wishes and aspirations of Tamil school headmasters and parents. Samy Vellu announced this after the MIC CWC meeting.

So, that means MIC is supporting proposal number 3 from the seven proposals.

Samy Vellu said although he believed that it was good for the students, especially in Tamil schools to master the English language, “but I have to listen and heed the views and wishes of the Tamil school headmasters and parents”.

“They have a right to make their own decision. We can’t impose on them our views. It is a matter that concerns their children and students. As such, we will abide to their request.” he said.

He said the headmasters unanimously endorsed the teaching of Mathematics and Science in Tamil at a discussion organized by the MIC recently.

Samy Vellu said Tamil school students could pick up English when they enter secondary schools.

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I guess it should be ringgit for ringgit. The plan is to “refund” MAIKA investors for the failed investments. I guess that’s the best offer the investors can hope for under current circumstances. From what I read in the papers, the idea is to sell of MAIKA’s remaining assets and pay off the investors. Only thing stopping this is the injuction by NESA Coperative against that motion. The court will decide it soon.

Of course, one will ask about the loss of potential returns. Hmmm…tough question to answer. Did MAIKA guarantee any returns? Did the leaders provide such guarantees? I have no idea. Its something that those involved have to clarify.

Will this be the closing act of a sad chapter in MIC? Can MIC clear the baggage and move on?

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I was wondering what happened to the cabinet committee on indian community. After the first meeting, it was supposed to have another one in August or September. No one actually talked about the second meeting. And I thought I missed. Now, Samy says only one meeting was held so far.

MIC is asking for another committee - this time to coordinate the RM50 million to help Tamil schools. Good thing - but hopefully it would hold more than one meeting every four months.

As for the proposals, the MIC is asking for speedier processing so that PNB can start selling units to Indians and schools can be renovated/rebuilt. If nothing moves in the next 6 months, then its will be a humiliation to MIC. Already 2 months over and nothing happened. How long should the community wait for “good news”, “agreement in principle”, “decisions”, “allocations”, etc to materialise?

The MIC has urged the Government to set up a committee to co-ordinate the rebuilding and refurbishing of Tamil schools using a RM50mil allocation under the stimulus package.

Its president, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, said the proposal would be tabled by secretary-general Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, who is also the Human Resources Minister, at the next Cabinet meeting.

“We want 60% of the Tamil schools to be rebuilt or refurbished before 2011,” he said in a statement here yesterday.

There are 523 Tamil schools in the country.

Samy Vellu said the party also urged the Government to expedite the implementation of the proposals submitted to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to increase equity participation of Indians.

“The proposals include the setting up of a mechanism within the Perbadanan Nasional Bhd to assist poor Indians to buy shares through a 50% grant and 50% loan from the Government,” he said.

Samy Vellu said they would ask Najib, the chairman of the Cabinet Committee for the development of Indians, to hold a meeting every three months. The last meeting was on July 1.

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