Posts Tagged ‘Sivarasa’

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Go learn Tamil la MP Sivarasa

July 19th, 2010
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Undoubtedly, if one wants to connect with the Indian community in the rumah murah, estates, squatter areas, kampungs, and low cost houses in cities, Tamil language is an important tool. MP Sivarasa has been sitting in Subang, so not much of a problem communicating with the folks there.  But go national, and you’ll have a problem.

Yeah, most Tamil people nowadays can understand BM or English (the pasar type also OK la), but nothing beats a fiery speech or friendly banter in Tamil.

Solution is simple la, go and enrol in Tamil class, or better still, hire a personal tutor. My friend Arun learnt Tamil within months until can quote Tirukural.

After all, learning a new language is always an asset (that’s we tell others right?).

“Nandri” and “Vanakkam”, I think every MP and ADUN can say la. No big deal.

From the Star:

There are rumblings on the ground about PKR vice-president R. Sivarasa’s inability to speak Tamil – and this may be a liability for the leader in the party elections at the end of the year.

Some grassroots leaders have openly expressed their wish for Sivarasa to be voted out because they are unhappy he cannot communicate effectively with Indians who did not have a good grasp of English.

They want either Kapar MP S. Manickavasagam or Padang Serai MP N. Gobalakrishan to contest for the post.

Bukit Beruntung/Bukit Sentosa Indian Community Association vice-president N. Nadaraja said the post should be held by a leader who could speak fluently in Tamil.

“We want an Indian leader who can communicate with us effectively to highlight our grouses to the top leaders.

“Sivarasa could not even communicate with the old folk in the estates because he can only say simple words like nandri (thank you) andvanakam (greetings),” he said.

Sivarasa, also the Subang MP, is of Ceylonese descent.

Nadaraja, also a PKR member, said they would nominate Manicka­vasagam to contest the position.

Nadaraja added that they were also dissatisfied with Selangor executive councillor Dr Xavier Jayakumar for a similar reason.

Meanwhile an on-line news portal reported that 40 Indian leaders had met party president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to express their dissatisfaction over Sivarasa’s inability to speak Tamil.

The group lobbied for Goba lakrishan to take up the post.

Sivarasa, when contacted, said a language handicap should not be regarded as a communication barrier in a multi-racial society.

“Furthermore PKR is a multi-racial party, and its leaders are obligated to serve all the people regardless of their racial background.

“Not being able to speak a certain language is not an issue,” he said.

Sivarasa said even though he could not speak Tamil, fellow party comrades Gobalakrishnan, Manicka vasagam, Dr Xavier, M. Ravi, S. Kesavan and S. Manikumar had good links with the Indian grassroots.

“We practise collective leadership in the party. We take care of all communities,’’ he said.

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At SJKT Bukit Darah building fund dinner

November 9th, 2009
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Came back from the Majlis Jamuan Makan Malam Tabung Bangunan for SJKT Bukit Darah at Dewan Sri Menanti, Bandar Baru Sungai Buloh. Attended together with Muru on behalf of UMIC. UMIC gave RM1001 for the building funds.

Event started quite late due to VVIPs being late. A first time effort by the school, so can forgive the hiccups. I was interested with the school history. It started in 1969 with 3 classrooms, and 40 years down the lane, it has 6 classrooms. Is that a proud record?

The school has been doing well in recent year, and I guess UMIC played a tiny role in that. The school have been linking up with various NGOs and being independent in sourcing for help. A good HM with strong PIBG support saw the improvement of science lab, toilets, addition of mini arena and so on.

The school is also starting pre-school classes in 2010. Currently 230 students are registered, and UPSR passing rate is more than 60%. Really commendable for a partially-aided school.

Anyway, the schools hoping to collect RM120,000 to add 3 classrooms and improve their science lab. Want to help? Contact the school at 03-60381335.

Meanwhile, it seems EXCO Xavier had promised RM5000 (which was prominently displayed on the projector so that people won’t forget the promise). Three politicians were in attendance. Two from ruling coalition (MP Subang Sivarasa and MP Selayang William Leong) who each donated RM1000. ADUN Kuang Abdul Shukor from UMNO pledged RM3000 of his own money, and also said that he will help to make the building a realisation. However, he clarified that he can’t promise the amount.

Sivarasa mentioned that the state government is “committed” to solve the land problem for Tamil schools. He mentioned that those on state lands are easier but those on private land like plantation companies need longer time and negotiation.

Sivarasa mentioned that Selangor government gave RM4 million each to Tamil, Chinese and Agama schools from their RM1.5 billion budget. So, he hoped the Federal government will give a similar ratio from the RM190 billion budget allocation for 2010. If we calculate the percentage, RM4 million of RM1.5 billion is  0.267%.  That would mean RM506.67 million just for Tamil schools in 2010!!! I think can buy over many of those private lands that these schools sit on.

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Posted in I Was Here, Tamil-Schools, UMIC

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Interesting Interview with Subang MP Sivarasa

March 13th, 2008
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Sivarasa vowed to bring up the issue of  HINDRAF ISA detainees. The parliment is going to be very interesting to follow. I hope TV will show it live :)

What we consider as key concerns, I would start with the issues like the ISA and release of the five Hindraf detainees.

Another interesting he mentioned was that MP ”job” is “part-time” He still has his law firm to run!

Being an MP is not a full-time position, it’s a part-time thing. It’s an honorary position. It is not (an) executive (position). So I have to carry on (with my legal career). » Read more: Interesting Interview with Subang MP Sivarasa

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Shaving head to support Hindraf

December 21st, 2007
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Oh no! If i shave my head for any other reason, it may be taken as supporting Hindraf! :) Hmmm…what if all those who shave their heads during Thaipusam do it as a support for Hindraf. That would mean thousands of people!!!

Hindraf supporters shave heads to protest detention
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/76265
Dec 20, 07 2:13pm

More than a dozen ethnic Indian activists shaved their heads outside Batu Caves temple today to protest the detention of their leaders under the tough Internal Security Act (ISA).

Five leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), calling for an end to alleged discrimination of Indians in multi-racial Malaysia, were held last week under the ISA which allows for indefinite detention without trial.

More than 100 Indians gathered on the banks of a river near a temple at Batu Caves, just outside Kuala Lumpur, where 16 people shed their hair.

"The 16 of us have shaved our heads as a protest against the detention of the five leaders of Hindraf who are being held under the ISA," said activist S Jayathas.

"We do not believe they are a threat to national security and we think the ISA should be abolished," he added.

According to rights group Suaram, 89 people are currently being held under the ISA with almost half of those held being alleged Islamic militants.

Gandhi posters

The group then carried pictures of Indian non-violence Independence leader Mohandas K Gandhi as they headed towards the temple where prayers were held.

"In the Hindu religion, people shave their heads as a sign of mourning," said opposition PKR leader Sivarasa Rasiah, who was present at the event.

"Here, it reflects the sadness over the detention of the leaders and that protests against their detention and the fight against discrimination will continue," he told AFP.

Hindraf enraged the government last month by mounting a mass rally alleging discrimination in Malaysia, which is dominated by Muslim Malays.

Police used tear gas, water cannon and baton charges to break up the street protest, which drew 30,000 people and came just two weeks after another rare demonstration organised by electoral reform campaigners.

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5 lawyers arrested at human rights march

December 9th, 2007
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well, i don't suppose water cannons used againsts educated professionals like lawyers will bode well for our country. It will be different if this was mass protest involving all segment of societies, "penyangak"s included!
 
Human rights march: 5 lawyers arrested
Syed Jaymal Zahiid | Dec 9, 07 8:16am

The police have arrested eight people, including five lawyers, for proceeding with a march to mark International Human Rights Day from the Sogo department store to Central Market in Kuala Lumpur early this morning.

The arrests came after a failed attempt by the organisers of the march to negotiate with the police to allow them to finish their march at their intended spot.

The 100-odd crowd was already halfway to their destination when the police give the marchers a 10-minute warning to disperse.

The organisers, who believed that they could complete their march within the time limit, wanted to press on. According to an eyewitness, the police however cordoned off the area, moved in and made the arrests even before the stipulated deadline expired. 

Those arrested included five lawyers – N Surendran (photo), Latheefa Koya, R Sivarasa, Eric Paulsen and Amer Hamzah. Others were Anthony Andu, Norazah Othman and an unidentified activist.

They were arrested near the Jalan Tun Perak LRT station and were immediately taken to the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters.

The eight were arrested under the Police Act for illegal assembly, said Dang Wangi's acting Superintendent Che Hamzah Che Ismail.

 The remainder of the marchers dispersed following the arrests.

"Authorities seem to be upset by any visible signs of protest and I think this is a problem with the country," said Sivarasa, who is also a leader of PKR.

"They don't seem to be able to deal with peaceful dissent," he told AFP before he was arrested.

Organiser Latheefa said that Malaysians needed to continue to exercise their constitutional right to public assembly.

Willing to cooperate

Earlier today, at about 8am, the small group of about 100 gathered at the Sogo departmental store under the watchful eyes of the police. There were however no signs of the dreaded Federal Reserve Unit and their water cannon trucks.

The marchers had carried banners that read "Lawyers for the freedom of assembly" and "Government that abuses human rights is terrorist."

Eyewitnesses said that one of the persons arrested was dragged into the waiting police truck and the arrests were done despite the marchers’ willingness to cooperate with the police.

This small group of marchers have undertaken this march after the Bar Council had dropped its annual march in conjunction with the International Human Rights Day celebration – which falls on Dec 10 – due to pressure to obtain a police permit.

Yesterday the police had warned the public not to participate in the march given that no permit had been issued for the gathering.

"As no permit has been issued for the gathering, those who take part in it can be charged under Section 27(5) of the Police Act 1967 for participating in an illegal assembly," warned Che Hamzah in a Bernama report.

Upon the decision of the Bar Council to call off the march, at least 15 lawyers decided to proceed with the walk to make a statement that citizens have a right to assemble peacefully and without prior requirement of a police permit.

Venue changed

Two days ago,  Surendran had said that the march was purely initiated by a group of concerned lawyers, adding that the organisers will not be applying for a police permit.

  “We think that applying for a permit is a negation of our fundamental right to freedom of assembly as enshrined in Article 10 of the Federal Constitution,” he had explained.

“We feel the (Bar Council) march was called of due to undue pressure from the authorities. We want to send a message that the people of Malaysia have the right to a peaceful assembly,” Surendran said.

Bar Council chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan meanwhile had explained that the decision to call off the march was made after “anxious consideration to the present circumstances that surround the event, particularly the interests of the public and the Malaysian Bar."

The Bar Council also moved its “Festival of Rights” event today to its own building located near Central Market after police insisted that organisers apply for a permit to hold the event at Central Market.

In a related development, Ambiga today expressed disappointed over not being allowed to see the arrested people.

Ambiga said that the march was peaceful and slammed the arrests as "totally unnecessary and unfortunate."

"The Bar holds the view that requirement of police permit is unconstitutional," she told reporters.

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