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All the President’s Men…

September 13th, 2009

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It was expected really. Regardless of what certain old man said or the piece of toilet paper that claims to be newspaper says, its a foregone conclusion. Even the head of BN Backbenchers Club, the controversial Bung Mohktar said this:

He said the crisis affecting the MIC could eventually spill over and affect the entire Barisan Nasional.

“If the MIC does not change and continues to be looked down by the community it is supposed to represent, Barisan will bear the brunt of this weakness,” Bung said in a statement here yesterday.

He said there were already signs of this happening, adding that the MIC had not been able to muster support for Barisan in recent by-elections.

“What has happened is that the Indian community is disunited and forming parties,” Bung added.

He said Samy Vellu should listen to voices from the Indian grassroots to give up the party president’s post that he has held for 30 years.

Nothing can beat the master strategist.

Personally, I thought either Balakrishnan or Teyagarajan will cause an upset in the race for vice president, but didn’t turn out that way. Out of the 27 President’s nominees for 23 CWC seats, at least 19 of Samy’s men won. That means from the balance 36 non-President’s candidates, only 4 won.

I’m interested with what Minnal FM radio news at 10pm mentioned just now: PM Najib congratulates Palanivel, and that he (Najib) thought the delegates did listen to him (Najib) and voted wisely. It also mentioned that PM Najib even said he expected Palanivel to win. I didn’t say that. Minnal newscaster said it. Hopefully there’s a recording or the text somewhere for reference. Anyway, The Star also reported similar thing:

In Pekan, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he wanted the MIC leaders who had won in the party election Saturday to close ranks and regain the support of the Indian community in the country.

He congratulated Palanivel as well as the other MIC leaders.

“The result that was announced had been expected. There were no surprises although support for the other candidates was rather strong.

“Nonetheless, based on my speech this morning, I believe this is the beginning of their efforts to win the support and heart of the Indian community,” he told reporters after attending a breaking of the fast and handing over of Hari Raya contributions at the Masjid Felda Chini 4, in Pekan.

This is NST’s version:

“The result that was announced had been expected. There were no surprises although support for the other candidates was rather strong.

“Nonetheless, based on my speech this morning, I believe this is the beginning of their efforts to win the support and heart of the Indian community,” he told reporters after attending a breaking of the fast and handing over of Hari Raya contributions at the Masjid Felda Chini 4, here today.

I listened to excerpts of PM Najib’s speech over the radio and it sounded energetic. Oh ya, there’s also the standard stuff – “support will be rewarded” mantra. He also mentioned about Kg Buah Pala:

“Look at the promise they made to Kampung Buah Pala. They made promises, don’t worry if we win, you all will stay here forever. But looked what happened.”

I don’t remember the leaders offering any solution, but the issue used for politics purpose. I hope our Indians in the hall didn’t clap enthusiastically for that.

Samy’s speech covered the some of the familiar things – economic equity, Tamil schools, government jobs etc.

Meanwhile, (sore?) loser Dato Subra claims it was money politics that caused his loss. Loss is loss la. Whatever reason also.

Beneath the surface, if we look at the results, the majority for Palanivel is a mere 82 votes . This indicates a very tough battle for the Samy Vellu to promote his man. And regardless of what Sothinathan may claim, his role was indeed a spoiler. If three quarters of his votes went to Dato Subra, it will be different song from Samy Vellu. Anyway, that’s a big IF, and I think if Sothinathan was not contesting, the majority may be higher for Palanivel, if we take in to account the results for vice presidents. Third placed Saravanan had a 560-odd majority over 4th placed Teagarajan.

The fight for CWC seats saw many state leaders losing: state chairman Datuk G. Rajoo (Perak), Datuk T. Rajagopalu (Negri Sembilan), Datuk V Saravanan (Kedah), Datuk R. Raghavan (Penang) and Dr K. Rajapathy (Penang) while the others include G. Vimalah Nair, P Logeswari @ Kajang Rani and G. Jayakumaran.

The Official Results:

Deputy president

G Palanivel* – 629
S Subramaniam – 547
S Sothinathan – 280
* 4 spoilt votes
Vice-president (3 posts)

Dr S Subramaniam – 1,260
SK Devamany – 1,122
M Saravanan – 1,030
S Balakrishnan – 471
VKK Teagarajan – 220
P Subramaniam – 215
P Mariayee – 61

* Incumbent. Those in bold are MIC president S Samy Vellu’s men.

Central Working Committee (23 seats)

1. KR Partiban
2. M Asojan
3. VS Mogan
4. RA Ragu Moorthi
5. S Murugesan
6. M Devandran
7. A Saktivel
8. Randhir Singh
9. Jaspal Singh
10. KRA Naidu
11. K Ganeson
12. S Ananthan
13. MM Samy
14. SP Manikavasagam *
15. M Paanjamoorthy
16. AGaneson
17. VK Suppiah
18. S Ganesan *
19. KP Samy *
20. SS Rajagopal
21. N Ravisandaran
22. P Palaniappan
23. Madhu Marimuthu *

* non-Samy candidates

So, there you go. Would be another 3 years of much empty promises and sweet talk, just like the situation in last two decades, as claimed by Samy? Did the delegates make a right choice? I think they did for the sake of the party. Having a deputy at odds with the leadership will only spell disaster. One just need to look at MCA. So, the delegates didn’t have much choice actually.

By the way, someone asked me what on the top floor of Tun Sambanthan building. I have no idea. Do you?

The links below are articles that appeared in the media for the last few weeks, focusing on MIC elections. In case you are very free, you can read them.

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/11kd/Article/
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/8/4/nation/4450712&sec=nation
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/04rixx/Article/
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/8/5/nation/4449271&sec=nation
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/9mic1/Article/index_html
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/110056
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/8/7/nation/4472503&sec=nation
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/8/9/nation/4486172&sec=nation
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/8/11/nation/4491500&sec=nation
http://www1.malaysiakini.com/news/110365
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/8/12/nation/4503958&sec=nation
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/8/12/nation/4503957&sec=nation
http://malaysiakini.com/news/110862
http://malaysiakini.com/news/111523
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/5ssb/Article/index_html

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/8/28/nation/4602198&sec=nation
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/8/28/nation/4602584&sec=nation
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/15sso/Article/index_html
http://malaysiakini.com/news/111804

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Posted in Indian

Tags: Elections MIC Najib Tun Razak Politicians

The Hindu Places of Worship Database Project

September 11th, 2009

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Its about time! We hear all kinds of figures being bandied about, and no one is really sure how many Hindu temples there are in the country. When I checked the site earlier today, there’s 1749 temples recorded.

The Hindu Places of Worship Database Project

AUM. After 52 years of Independence, the actual number of Hindu places of worship (temples, shrines, etc) in Malaysia are not known. Different groups, from politicians to NGOs, offer different figures ranging from 10,000 to 20,000; researchers from State governments, MIC, MHS and other NGOs have undertaken data-collection projects at various times for this purpose, but there is still no composite available.

Without availability of such data, it has proven difficult to develop strategies on the future of Hindu places of worship in Malaysia, especially on matters related to the defending against demolitions of Hindu places of worship.

As such, the Temple Committee of the Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS), as the committee under the national Hindu body that coordinates the interests and activities of temples in the context of looking out for the needs of Hindus in Malaysia has now initiated a community-based nationwide project to collect data on Hindu places of worship in the country.

To develop a truly comprehensive database, we invite ALL Hindus in Malaysia, (including NGOs) to participate in this initiative ? all one would have to do is to visit this website: www.myhindutemples.com and complete a survey online after interviewing the person in charge at the temple that is to be included in the database. We believe that a web-based platform will be able to achieve what previous initiatives could not, particularly so due to the renewed strength many of us have gained from recent events.

This is how we seek your assistance, if you wish to volunteer :

1.      Volunteer intending to complete the survey goes to the website and places the cursor on the Temple Database tab.

2.      Placing the cursor on the tab releases a drop-down menu, from which the volunteer is to select Registration Form ? Hardcopy.

3.      This should bring the volunteer to a page where the form is available for download. Following the instructions on the page, the volunteer can download the form, print it, and visit the temple at the appropriate time to interview the person-in-charge. Considering the value of this project, it would be both practical and understandable to request a little verification on the spot for some of the information requested.

4.      Upon getting the complete details, the volunteer can then return to the computer and select the Registration Form ? Online option to key in the details online immediately. The volunteer may wish to download and read the Guide to Completing the Form before doing so.

5.      Once these details are keyed in, please give us 3 -5 working days before checking the Approved Temples Listing to confirm whether the record keyed in has accepted by the system. Get back to the website again.

6. Or you can mail us with a little information of nearby temple like Temple name & Address or contact number; so that we can contact them to get more information. Kindly mail to myhindutemples@yahoo.com

We thank you once again for your kindness, support and participation. AUM.

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Posted in Religion

Tags: MHS NGO Religion temples

Jalan K Ramanathan Chettiar and Jalan MG Pandithan

September 11th, 2009

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Jalan Berhala was more suitable as the place has temples. Not sure if anyone protested on the name change like those in Ipoh (Jalan Silibin proposed to be renamed to Jalan Patto). I think existing names should be maintained as they have historical values. Perhaps names of past leaders and contributors can be given to new roads, highways, housing areas, buildings, monuments, bridges, submarines, planes, etc. There are so many things being built or developed that can be given such names.

Beginning today Jalan Berhala in the Brickfields area in Kuala Lumpur will be known as Jalan K Ramanathan Chettiar and a part of it as Jalan MG Pandithan, said Federal Territories Deputy Minister M Saravanan.

He said the names were taken after the third MIC president K Ramanathan Chettiar and former IPF president Pandithan.

“After Jalan Brickfields was changed to Jalan Tun Sambanthan, after the fifth MIC president, 27 years ago now Jalan Berhala’s name is being changed,” Saravanan said at a news conference today.

He said the name change was made with the agreement of Kuala Lumpur City Hall and was part of efforts to make the area as ‘Little India’.

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Posted in Indian

Tags: KL MIC Politicians

cow head protest and jihad

September 11th, 2009

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I’m not sure what to make of this article. Does it mean that if anyone condemns the protesters, it will be “anti-jihad”? I hope these people’s action don’t provide more ammunition for others to ridicule their religion.

To help provide legal service, counseling or payment for the protesters is acceptable – its their right to defend themselves in court of law. But to stick a religious label on that actions takes it to a different level. Now, if the public says anything, these people may claim that those who complaint are against their religion pulak!

Malay non-governmental organisation Perkasa wants to provide legal counsel to the 12 “cow head protestors” who were charged with sedition and illegal assembly at the Shah Alam Sessions and Magistrates courts on Wednesday.

Its president Datuk Ibrahim Ali said several lawyer members of the movement were willing to take up the case as a “jihad,” or any war undertaken in the name of Islam against unbelievers or backsliders.

“We will also go on a donation drive to help them financially to pay for unforeseen expenses that they might incur during the trial proper.

“We are not doing this as a publicity stunt or political mileage but for the sake of the Ummah (the community of believers) and to defend Allah’s religion,” he said in a press statement issued here on Wednesday.

Ibrahim, who is also the independent Member of Parliament for Pasir Mas, criticised those in power, accusing them of being cowards for not protecting the religion.

However, many Muslim and political leaders have condemned the incident (see below), saying such hatred and disrespect had no place in the religion.

On Aug 28, some 50 people, led by residents of Section 23 in Shah Alam, marched about 300m from the state mosque to the gates of the Selangor state secretariat building to protest against the relocation of the Sri Mahamariamman temple from Section 19 to Section 21.

They dragged along a decapitated cow’s head then proceeded to stamp and spit on it.

They also warned of further action if the temple was built in their area, with one protest leader promising bloodshed.

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Posted in BornInMalaysia, Religion

Tags: intolerance NGO Protest Religion Selangor

No more Star paper

September 9th, 2009

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We decided to stop buying newspaper on weekdays since yesterday. I’ve buying Star since young when the paper was 60 sen or so. Time for change. Reading online is faster and cheaper! 🙂