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samy vellu hints that karunanidhi is stubborn?

January 9th, 2008
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“All of them received the explanation well, with the exception of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. He has already made up his mind that whatever Hindraf said was right,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here Wednesday.

Read more on samy vellu at the Parvasi Bharathi Divas at:

http://poobalan.com/blog/borninmalaysia/2008/01/08/samy-vellu-at-the-pravasi-bharatiya-divas-india/

M’sia-India ties not affected by Hindraf, says Samy

source

By A. LETCHUMANAN

NEW DELHI: The bilateral relationship between Malaysia and India will not be affected by allegations made by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) in November last year. Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said this was based on the positive response of various Indian leaders to his explanation on Hindraf’s allegations.

“All of them received the explanation well, with the exception of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. He has already made up his mind that whatever Hindraf said was right,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here Wednesday. Samy Vellu, who made three attempts for an appointment to see the Tamil Nadu chief minister, said he was unhappy with Karunanidhi’s attitude.

“I believe he felt slighted that I did not defend him when Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz told him off and asked him not to interfere in the internal affairs of Malaysia in the aftermath of Hindraf’s illegal demonstration,” he said. Samy Vellu said he was not present to defend at the time and what Nazri said was to safeguard the good name of the country.

He said Hindraf had planted many sensitive issues in the minds of the Indian people with the intention to poison Malaysia’s name. “I have been explaining over and over again but the Indian press seems to have made up its mind that there is an unrest amongst the Indian community in the country,” Samy Vellu said.

He said that a member of the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) has been giving interviews to the Indian and international media, giving credence to the allegations made by Hindraf. “The statement by the PPP member as well as the wire agency story on the freeze on Indian workers in Malaysia has created a big wave in the media here,” he said.

He said more Malaysian ministers must make trips to India to provide explanations, and to explore the vast opportunities for investment from India as well as for Malaysian investments in India.

He added that he would explain the situation to Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee when he meets them separately later. Samy Vellu said he would submit a detailed report to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi upon his return on Saturday.

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home affairs minister clarifies work permit issues

January 9th, 2008
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finally, the ministry clarifies the issue of work permit being stopped for foreign indian workers. the confusion may have arised due to previous statements banning workers from bangladesh and also some miscommunication between ministry officials. MCCBCHST said the ban was for hindu priests, musicians and sculptors, but the minister clarified that it affects all religions. However, minister also said the approval for those three categories will be on a case by case basis, mean there’s a ban on renewal of permit after all, it is only worded differently. The applicants have to appeal.

Worse is PM said he will consider the appeal sent by MCCBCHST! That means either there is a ban or the PM is as confused as like me. I rather take the first option, since the second one sounds scary!

I also feel that over reliance on priest and workers from india is too long. surely we could have sent some apprentices over there or even open a training institute here, under the auspices of MHS for example. for so many years we are still dependent on foreign workers. being a priest pays well, so it is a good career move, if one wants to view it that way.

but to blame employers for not hiring foreign indian workers citing hindraf sounds like a joke to me. most likely a cooked up story to cover for the reduction of workers. If i’m not mistaken, foreign workers from india are less than 20% (including expats and professionals in IT, banking, mgmt, universities, MNCs etc). There are far more indonesians, more myanmars, Filipinos, etc. most of the time, the employment goes haywire due to agents and employers, causing workers to protest/gather at their high commissions/embassies.

Read more about it at:

http://poobalan.com/blog/religion/2008/01/08/no-more-work-permit-renewal-for-religious-workers/

http://poobalan.com/blog/borninmalaysia/2008/01/08/samy-says-indian-workers-banned-then-say-no/

http://poobalan.com/blog/borninmalaysia/2008/01/09/pm-will-look-into-appeal-by-mccbchst-on-work-permit/

No freeze on intake of workers from India

source

By MAZWIN NIK ANIS

PUTRAJAYA: There is no freeze on the intake of Indian foreign workers, confirmed Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad.

However, he said, there were employers who had asked for the ministry’s approval to change the foreign workers they had planned to hire from India to those from other countries.

“I categorically state that the ministry has never come up with such a ruling or policy to stop the intake of foreign workers from India, what more the professionals. The report by a foreign wire agency claiming the ministry has done so is disturbing.

“But let us be honest here. As a result of the demonstrations that had taken place, some employers feel uncomfortable employing workers from India even though they have already been given approval to take in the workers. “Then they come to us and request to, for example, employ Indonesians instead, and we allow them to do so,” he said in obvious reference to the demonstrations by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), adding that the ministry had allowed several employers who had initially asked for workers from India to switch to workers of other nationalities.

Radzi also said the confusion might have stemmed from the Government’s decision in October last year to once again freeze the intake of workers from Bangladesh due to several problems. The Government, in 1999, had frozen the intake of Bangladeshi workers as a result of the social problems that had arisen from their presence in the country.

He said he had briefed the Cabinet on the issue and had called for a press conference to “clear the air,” adding that he was confident the matter would not strain relations between Malaysia and India and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries on the issue of Indians working in the country remained valid.

On claims his ministry had stopped issuing permits for new applications for Hindu priests, temple musicians and sculptors, Radzi clarified that applications would be considered on case-by-case basis as the number of foreigners working in temples in the country has reached 5,468. “Some of the priests have been in the country for more than 10 years and it is time for us to sit down and look at whether it is necessary to renew their permits. We want locals to do the job and I am sure there are qualified individuals for the job. “Furthermore, this does not apply to Hindu priests only but to Buddhist monks, Muslim ulamaks or imams and religious figures of all religions,” he said, adding that the decision to be more “stringent and careful” started about two months ago.

Radzi said that since November, those wanting to employ foreign workers had to go through the Human Resources Ministry, which would advertise the vacancies and if there were no takers an approval letter would be issued for employers to come to his ministry to apply for foreign workers. “This is an effort to ensure most employment opportunities are taken up by locals and the hiring of foreigners from the 10 source countries, including India, are done in a more orderly fashion. “We must remember that there are about two million foreigners working in the country and the number is substantial,” he said.

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hindraf donors questioned

January 9th, 2008
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I suppose since crime rates are sky high in 2007, due to inclusion of “new categories”, the police are busy solving these kind of “dangerous” life-threatening crimes.

I’m confused with the account name. Since HINDRAf is established as unregistered with ROS and the account is under a company, HINDRAF ENTERPRISE, it would be very hard to tie the donors to the funding of so called “terrorist” activities, which is without proof anyway, if going by Samy Vellu’s statement. Most donor can simply said that someone asked for donation to bail out detainees or it was business transaction or whatever reason. However, since it is being investigated by CCD, then the issue is solicitation of funds without approval. Thus, the donors can claim ignorance about approval and all. I mean, most Malaysians are generous and guilable enough to part with their money, so any flimsy reason will do. Which leads back to the owner’s of the account and company. They should be the ultimate target. Perhaps there’s another round of arrest in order.

Any donor would like to share their experience of being called by the police? Just drop me an email.

Cops go after Hindraf donors
http://malaysiakini.com/news/76880
Soon Li Tsin | Jan 9, 08 5:23pm
If you have made a donation to the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) movement, the police may be knocking on your door soon.

The Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) has sent letters to individuals summoning them to give statements at the Bukit Aman police headquarters over a possible offence of funding a terrorist organisation.

The letter stated that the police are investigating this offence under Section 130N of the Penal Code – the funding of terrorist activities.

If found guilty, the person can be punished with death (if the terrorist act results in death), imprisonment for a term of not less than seven years but not exceeding 30 years and a fine.

“The police believe that you can provide a statement about funds given to Hindraf Enterprise,” read the letter signed by investigating officer ASP Rozeni Ismail.

A donor who received the letter and was quizzed by the police recently said references were made to a RHB bank account registered under the name ‘Hindraf Enterprise’.

The donor, who requested anonymity, said the police recorded statement in relation to some other offence – non-terrorism related – committed by the company.

“It is odd that the matter is being dealt by the Commercial Crimes Department because during questioning, they made no reference to the terrorist offences. They said the company could be charged for impropriety in soliciting donations and funds.

“It is also very alarming that the banks can give information about their clients and their transactions to the police without the need for a court order.”

Under the Section 16A of the Central Bank of Malaysia Act 1958, banks are permitted to convey any information in relation to any offences to the police or affected financial institutions.

Many being summoned

However, the donor pointed out that the recording of the statement took only 30 minutes and the police were pleasant throughout the period.

“I don’t think I am the only one. When I asked if there were others, the officer said there were many other people being summoned,” the donor added.

Hindraf gained fame when it organised a protest that saw 30,000 people hit the streets of Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25 last year.

This was followed by the movement’s leaders and supporters being charged for a slew of offences including sedition, causing mischief and attending an illegal assembly.

On Dec 8, 2007, the Companies Commission of Malaysia revoked the registration of Hindraf Enterprise for using the company for unlawful purposes and purposes prejudicial to national security and public order.

The company at that time had set up a bank account for the public to donate money to the cause and for those incarcerated in need of bail money.

At the height of enforcement action, enigmatic Hindraf leader P Uthayakumar with R Kenghadharan, M Manoharan, V Ganabathirau and T Vasanthakumar were arrested under the Internal Security Act on Dec 13 last year.

They have been detained for two years without trial.

CCID director ACP Mohd Kamarudin Md Din was unavailable to comment on this investigation when contacted.

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what goes around comes around, nalla

January 9th, 2008
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First it was PKR leader Gobalakrishnan, now the rest of PKR Indian leaders have come out guns blazing. Looks like PKR is heading into mini crisis. MIC in crisis, MCA in crisis, PKR in crisis, 2 parties in Sabah at loggerheads. Who benefits?

Read about Nalla's outburst and Gobalakrishnan's reply at:

http://poobalan.com/blog/borninmalaysia/2008/01/07/nalla-knows-about-anwar-for-30-years-and-kept-quiet/

http://poobalan.com/blog/borninmalaysia/2008/01/08/pkr-gobala-hits-back-at-nalla/

PKR to Nalla: What did you do for the Indians?
http://malaysiakini.com/news/76882
Chua Sue-Ann | Jan 9, 08 5:19pm

Turning the tables on Malaysian Indian United Party (MIUP) president KS Nallakarupan, PKR today posed the same question he had asked their leader Anwar Ibrahim. 

Early this week, Nallakarupan had lambasted Anwar for allegedly lying to the Indian community in a bid to secure votes.

He also challenged Anwar to reveal what he had done for the Indian community when he was deputy premier and finance minister.

At a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, PKR leaders threw back the same question, and more, at their former colleague.

“When Nallakarupan was MIC Youth deputy chief, what did he do for the Indian community?” asked PKR supreme council member S Manickavasagam.

The opposition party leaders also revealed news reports and a video-clip showing Nallakarupan praising Anwar.

The video clip, filmed at a PKR function last August, showed Nallakarupan expressing support for Anwar and PKR in Tamil.

“When Nallakarupan joined (PKR), he said he had been friends with Anwar for 30 years and (they) were … blood brothers,” pointed out PKR deputy secretary-general Dr Xavier Jayakumar.

Back then, Jayakumar added, Nallakarupan declared that Anwar would be able to raise the issues of Indian poverty and would do whatever he could to uplift poor Indians.

'Contest, if you dare'

“The question now is, who is behind Nallakarupan?” said the PKR leader before challenging the MIUP president and his men to contest against PKR in the coming general elections. 

“If he really wants to be in politics, take up the challenge. If Nallakarupan dares … ask him to enter the court to compete in the coming elections and see how much support he receives,” he added.

Jayakumar also challenged Nallakarupan to a debate on the position of Indians in Malaysia.

Meanwhile, Manikavasingam claimed that Nallakarupan had quit PKR last May because of his political ambitions.

Jayakumar refuted Nallakarupan’s claim that he brought almost 10,000 Indian members to PKR and that “many” followed his decision to quit the party.

The PKR leader said many of the leaders who left with Nallakarupan have since returned to the party.

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we expect better of our politicians says Zainul

January 9th, 2008
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he hit the point by saying:

Some say it is unfair that politicians are judged by different standards than us mere citizens, but that should be the only way to go. We are not hypocritical, nor holier-than-thou. We have been made to believe by the public figures themselves that they are good people with strong values, religious or moral.

Politicians on the stumps tell us to vote for them because they are better than the person running against them, and some even suggest that they are better than us in looking after our interests. And as such, we expect them to be so. We grant them privileges and positions, and our respect, too.

ZAINUL ARIFIN: We expect better of our politicians

By : Zainul Arifin

"CHUTZPAH", which is pronounced "hoot-spuh", is a Jewish word that suggests gall, over-confidence and utter nerve.

The meaning is best understood by an example I read somewhere — you gatecrash a party and then complain to the host that the food is not up to your standard.

I was reminded of the word as I followed the travails of former health minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, which has surely raised the level of excitement and political pulse in this new year.

What he did is now clear to everyone, even for those who have not inspected the video evidence. There is no need to since he confessed, which is an amazing event, I must say.

There was no teary-eyed confession like from some US preachers when caught breaking the commandments. It was a confident, back straight, eye-on-the-camera, "I'm the man in the sex video" performance that took the breath away.
But what was more amazing was that he inferred and suggested, in not so many words, that he was a victim of political conspiracy. He had worked hard and met a lot of people and as a result, he was seen as a threat to others, he suggested.

Dr Chua, who initially did not want to resign, said he had to, since Malaysians wanted him to leave. Their holier-than-thou attitude meant that his party and government posts were no longer tenable, he said.

Someone caught with his pants down, going after society, and playing the victim? Now that's chutzpah!

What is also amazing is the support he has been getting since his very public mea culpa. Banners and posters greet him, in Hugo Chavez-like manner, in Batu Pahat, his former constituency, and the locale of his misdemeanour.

He has also received considerable support from people extolling his exemplary behaviour by confessing to his indiscretion and betrayal to his family.

Perhaps Dr Chua's predicament reminded us that we are all sinners, and that some of us might just be a step away from public humiliation. We can only imagine what he had to go through for the public confession. Perhaps he had suffered enough when he had to face his family.

But are we so desperate for accountability from our public officials that we became too ready to credit Dr Chua for doing something that he had no choice but to do anyway?

There was video evidence — your friendly neighbourhood DVD guys were hawking it at RM50 per copy, and images and videos were zooming in cyberspace via mobile telephones and the Internet. In fact, a denial would have been readily dismissed and worked against him.

If we were ticketed for double parking, should we be commended for paying the fine for an earlier infringement of the law? Do we have a choice anyway?

Many people said Dr Chua was not the first, and certainly not the last. People I know started reeling off names of public figures past and present and their sexual indiscretions, but at least Dr Chua confessed, they said. Would he have confessed if there were no videos?

This is not an indictment against Dr Chua, whom I am beginning to understand was a good boss, minister and politician. We all have our virtues and vices, the latter of which could come back to haunt us when we least expect it.

Some say it is unfair that politicians are judged by different standards than us mere citizens, but that should be the only way to go. We are not hypocritical, nor holier-than-thou. We have been made to believe by the public figures themselves that they are good people with strong values, religious or moral.

Politicians on the stumps tell us to vote for them because they are better than the person running against them, and some even suggest that they are better than us in looking after our interests. And as such, we expect them to be so. We grant them privileges and positions, and our respect, too.

While individually we would fail our own criteria and standards, we expect better of them, hence our anger when they misbehave and break our trust. It is never anything personal.

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