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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.

source

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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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Nijhar Quits!

May 29th, 2008
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Well, its confirmed that after the bust-up during CWC meeting, Nijhar quit MIC. The reason given is making way for new blood, which of course is just politicspeak. If anyone should make way for new blood, its not only Nijhar. He also knows that his time in MIC is up already. He won’t be contesting in next MIC elections, so why be a dummy/puppet. Might as well resign.

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC vice-president Tan Sri K.S. Nijhar has resigned after a heated row two weeks ago with party chief Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.  A senior MIC official confirmed that Nijhar, the highest ranking Sikh in the party, had submitted his resignation and that an official announcement would be made today.

Nijhar, when contacted, declined to comment but said the party would make an announcement on the matter.

The former Subang member of parliament’s decision to quit the party comes on the heels of an argument with Samy Vellu during the MIC central working committee meeting on May 15. Reporters waiting outside the room saw a visibly upset Nijhar storming out, slamming the door behind him after shouting: “I never knew you to be such a cruel man. How can you simply sack a man?”  It was later learnt that Nijhar was upset with the expulsion of former Kapar division chairman S. Subramaniam, better known as Jumbo Maniam.

Meanwhile, a source close to Nijhar said his resignation was not linked to the incident but to make way for new blood. “He had to go sooner or later to give way for new blood and decided to call it a day,’ said the source, who did not say why Nijhar had chosen to quit mid-term.

source

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Samy unhappy with Murugiah on representing Indian community

May 29th, 2008
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If you read the papers recently, PPP’s Murugiah have been featuring more frequently. He announced the Tamil Schools Foundation and complaints bureau in schools. He also launched a Teacher’s camp recently:

Deputy Minister in Prime Minister’s Department T. Murugiah said that parents too must attend these seminars to better motivate and instil good moral values and discipline in their children.

Speaking to reporters after opening the three-day Self Development Training camp for Tamil school teachers at the Gadong Tamil school in Morib on Tuesday, he said he would ensure this seminar was organised in all Tamil schools nationwide.

source
However what riled Samy is the claim by Murugiah that “the premier had endorsed him as the community’s representative“. Samy counters by saying that Dr S.Subramaniam is the sole minister representing the Indian community.

Looks like another round of battle between MIC and PPP is in the cards.
By the Samy still using the word “building” instead of “rebuilding” or “relocating” schools, thus giving false impression that more Tamil schools are being built when in fact its still 523 schools. Don’t worry, the people are more smart now. They read carefully. » Read more: Samy unhappy with Murugiah on representing Indian community

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PRIMA supports who?

May 29th, 2008
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Well, never heard of PRIMA before this, but it seems that they represent 115 organisations.  They are asking for quota in civil service, reverting to mothe tongue for science and maths, setting up of non-muslim affairs department, and to free Hindraf 5. Note that they also mentioned that “They no longer want political parties to handle the matter and said that it would speed things up if it is handled within departments” regarding to religious matters.

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has been urged to set aside at least 35 per cent of its civil service sector for non-Malays. The call was from the Federation of Malaysian Indian Organisations (Prima), an umbrella body for 115 Indian-based organisations.Its president A. Raja Retnam urged the government to ensure fair distribution of jobs for all ranks in the civil service.  “We are not asking for much. If you go to Putrajaya, you can hardly see any Chinese or Indians working in the government departments,” he said yesterday.

Prima also called for Science and Mathematics to be taught in the pupils’ own mother tongue, either Mandarin or Tamil in Chinese and Tamil schools respectively next year. Raja Retnam said the move to teach Mathematics and Science in English was not successful especially for students from rural areas who found it difficult to cope. “Before it was taught in English, the students were doing well but their performance had declined now.   “Moreover, early education is better taught in the pupils’ own language,” he said.

The federation also called for the setting up of a Non-Muslim Affairs Department in the Prime Minister’s Department to handle sensitive issues pertaining to religious matters. They no longer want political parties to handle the matter and said that it would speed things up if it is handled within departments.

Raja Retnam also called on the government to free the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders currently held under the Internal Security Act and to charge them in open court.

source

Now, its interesting to read what Saravanan says after meeting the same group. Here it is reported that the group represents 47 organisations (but the article from NST above says 115). He met with the NGOs for two hours, and summarised that NGOs support BN ( by extension MIC) and still come to MIC to help solve problems – even in opposition held states. » Read more: PRIMA supports who?

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