Archive for May, 2008

Nijhar quits post only…

May 30th, 2008
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Nijhar clarifies that he resigned from his VP post, and is still a MIC member. Earlier, it was reported that he quit MIC. Anyway, he resigned via SMS! Like those divorces cases using “talak” statements :).

KUALA LUMPUR: Veteran MIC leader Tan Sri K.S. Nijhar has quit as party vice-president and he did it via SMS.  But it was not in a huff. The 72-year-old Nijhar who has been the vice-president for three terms, had announced his intention to resign at the last committee meeting early this month.

Nijhar, when contacted, said that he had sent text messages to Samy Vellu and secretary-general Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam on his resignation.  “I have nothing against Samy Vellu. We have only minor disagreements on some issues,” he said.  He said that he had already stated that the decision to quit was not against Samy Vellu or anybody else in the party.  “I won’t be where I am in politics without Samy Vellu’s help. I am very grateful.

“It is just that sooner or later, I have to call it a day from politics. I remain a life member of the party and would be available to serve again if needed,” said Nijhar.

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This is what Samy said about the resignation:

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the committee accepted Nijhar’s resignation at yesterday’s meeting. On the reasons for Nijhar’s resignation, Samy Vellu said the former Subang MP had stated his intention in the press.  “I don’t have any quarrels with him,” he said.

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A bit on Nijhar and MIC:

Nijhar joined MIC in 1973 and had held several positions including treasurer-general, CWC member and secretary-general before being elected as a vice president in 2000. He retained the vice president’s post in 2003 and 2006.

He was appointed a senator for six years and served as parliamentary secretary of the International Trade and Industry Ministry from June 1989 to June 1991.

Nijhar had also contested and won the Subang parliamentary seat in 1999 and 2004 but was not fielded in the March 8 general election.

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Tamil schools to be made fully aided?

May 30th, 2008
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Well, if this becomes true, it will be a big victory for HINDRAF and makkal sakthi. They managed to achieve something even though MIC will get the name. This possibility would have not been even dreamed of by the community if MIC was still in absolute power. A good kick in the back does work wonders.

Of course, its just an agreement in principle, and Cabinet is yet to see any details yet. The implementation, if it happens, may take decades.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the Education Ministry had agreed in principle to convert all partially-aided Tamil schools into fully aided schools, the Tamil Nesan reported.

However, the Cabinet still has to endorse the decision first.

Of the total 524 Tamil schools, 322 were partially aided while the rest were fully aided.

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Criticism of MIC rebranding

May 29th, 2008
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MIBA president again comes out with criticism of MIC and Samy Vellu. This is also echoed by KP Samy and an academician from UKM.

I agree that changing logo and uniform is meaningless. Probably some company will be making a tidy profit out of this exercise. Perhaps should follow the money trail as well.

No point changing the packaging when the content is still the same. Probably can deceive some of the people for a short period.

KUALA LUMPUR: Will spending RM500,000 on new uniforms, logos and letterheads really help the MIC to be more appealing to the Indian community? Many have their doubts.  After the party’s heavy losses in the general elections, it has come under intense pressure, particularly for the resignation of its president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.  Some have even begun to question the relevance of the party, especially in catering to the new generation. While the rebranding sounds like a good attempt to bring the party back to its glory days, many are questioning the need to spend on non-tangibles.Malaysian Indian Businessmen Association president P. Sivakumar said the RM500,000 allocation for the party’s rebranding exercise could be put to better use. It could be used as a start-up capital for small businesses or for those struggling to pay for their university entrance fees.   Sivakumar said the real issue facing MIC was leadership. “It’s time for the legend to give way to a younger person,” he said, alluding to Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu’s tenure as party president. He added, however, that Samy Vellu could remain as an adviser. Sivakumar also said the rebranding exercise should include putting to rest the controversy over Maika Holdings shares.

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Cameron Highlands Day 3, buying plants

May 29th, 2008
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After a tiring day out the day before, we got up a bit late and packed up. Time to leave the cool environment and head back to dusty and hot KL 🙁 Took break fast at the Indian restaurant in Brinchang. Mee goreng was quite tasty, but their tea lacked oomph. Then, time for shopping. Specifically, we wanted to get some potted plants for our house. First stop was along the area after Equatorial Hotel (Not Kea Farms, but the other way, leading towards Simpang Pulai). There are some rows of shops which sell plants and vegetables. We bought some goldcrest plants there.

We had to stop at Raju Hill Strawberry Farm to get some strawberries and also their famous strawberry milkshake (one of the reasons why went to Cameron Highlands in the first place!)

Raju Hill Strawberry Farm

» Read more: Cameron Highlands Day 3, buying plants

5122 relief teachers recruited

May 29th, 2008
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1077 + 399 + 2980 + 666 = 5122

THE Education Ministry has recruited more than 5,000 untrained relief teachers (GSTT) to overcome a shortage of teachers, particularly in Tamil and Chinese schools nationwide. Deputy Education Minister Datuk Wee Ka Siong said these teachers would be placed at various locations in the country including in rural areas of Sabah and Sarawak.Wee said Sarawak would receive the highest number of GSTT – 1,115 – while Sabah has been allocated 876. Beginning July 1, about 1,077 GSTTs will start teaching at Chinese schools, 399 in Tamil schools, 2,980 at national schools and 666 at special education schools.

“These teachers will be trained during school holidays to ensure that they are equipped with the right teaching skills. Those who have good teaching potential will be absorbed into the profession and after three years, they will be recognised as fully-trained teachers,” said Wee at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

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