Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email Well, I don’t have much info on IPF, so can’t comment on them. But I have seen IPF posters at a few places. Even saw IPF supporters during nomination day in Klang.
Desperate MIC turns to ailing Pandithan
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/79085
Baradan Kuppusamy | Mar 3, 08 4:54pm
One would be mistaken that Indian Progressive Front (IPF) president MG Pandithan is contesting in the elections going by the numerous posters and banners depicting him in several constituencies.
In fact Pandithan is fighting for his life at the General Hospital and has been politically inanimate for long, but some MIC candidates have resurrected his name, face and memory, to squeeze some capital. They are hoping his former followers who now form the backbone of Hindraf, will sympathise and back them by a long shot.
It shows how desperate MIC which ignored, belittled and condemned Pandithan for many years is, now trying to kick some dust out of a political dead horse. It is widely believed that Pandithan, who has been seriously ill for over a year is dying. But his wife issued a statement to the Tamil dailies on Sunday that he is being treated and will “get well” and return home.
The IPF revolt
The IPF leadership has also split into several factions and one is trying to be opposition (on its own) while another is lending its support to the various mentris besar who have the misfortune to have large chunks of Indians/Hindraf voters in their constituencies.
Although gravelly ill and unable to lift his fingers, Pandithan continues to issues statements in support of MIC president S Samy Vellu and Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi in particular and the BN in general.
Just like now, Indians had revolted in 1990. In that year Pandithan led the Tamil working class and joined the Gagasan Rakyat coalition led by Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah. They voted opposition and scared the government of Dr Mahathir Mohamad after some top Umno leaders won by small majorities.
Tengku Razaleigh eventually rejoined Umno in style leaving Pandithan to beg to join BN himself but with Samy Vellu opposing his application, it never materialised. Eventually the original IPF broke and many talented leaders left, leaving Pandithan to rule an empty roost.
Some who left rejoined MIC while others left politics altogether going into business. Several much older and wiser ones have found their way into Hindraf as “co-coordinators.”
Much hotter now
The current Hindraf fever however is much hotter then the fever Pandithan set off among the Tamil masses when he was expelled in 1988. In 1989 he formed the IPF and toured and in 1990 he led his followers to vote opposition.
The parallels to Hindraf are unmistakable except that the intensity of the current political fever is much higher and more widespread. While before it was confined to the Tamil working class, now every section of the Indian community is involved. The impact this time is much greater because latest indications are Indian support for Barisan Nasional (BN) has plummeted from a high of 80% to a low of just 30%.
A combination of factors is responsible.
Among these is the failure of the prime minister to “persuade” Samy Vellu to retire. Another focus of anger is Gerakan’s failure to field any Indian candidates saying “none was qualified.” Many Hindraf supporters find this insulting and have been firing away SMS messages to each other urging everyone to “teach Gerakan” and by extension BN, “a lesson.”
If these campaigns hold, the result can be seen in Penang where Indian DAP candidates contesting in constituencies with large Indian voters, against BN candidates, stand a better chance to win.
At least three state seats in Penang and Lunas in Kedah are considered lost by some MIC veterans. Other seats with an improving chance of victory are Kota Alam Shah where DAP’s M. Manoharan, although detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA), is standing and Kapar where PKR’s S. Manikavasagam is challenging MIC incumbent P Komala Devi.
Hindraf 5
Another key grievance is the continued detention of the five Hindraf leaders, widely regarded by Indians as heroes and innocent of the “terrorism accusation” without trial under the ISA. “We consider them as innocent and it is not fair and just to jail innocent people,” said priest S Ramaji, a leading force in Hindraf. “People feel responsible because their families are also suffering because they raised legitimate issues. We feel they are being punished for speaking up for us.”
These and other grievances have gripped the Indian community like a fever. It’s immediate effect would be a substantial loss of Indian support for BN and gain for the opposition political parties. Whatever the outcome on Saturday, the Hindraf fever is unlike to retreat for many years to come.
The non-believers in Indian ability and what the Hindraf movement stands for may belittle and mock at the Indians using very derogatory remarks to describe them, but do they realize that a marginalised society might totally REJECT those responsible for their plight and 3rd class position in the country?
The IPF through its ineffectual leader who could be easily bought over with a Tan Sri does not champion the rights of its members in this country. It started off on caste politics and still remain as outcasts in the MIC and the Indian community in general.
Only their leader, Pandithan, has benefitted by falling for the crocodile tears of Samy Velu and undermining the intergrity of other able leaders in IPF.
IPF is a spent force. Its presence in the political scene will not make any difference.
They might as well take all the perks dished out to them in the run up to the GE and use them before the GE results. They won’t be needed anymore after the elections. They will revert to their previous status.
Tan Sri Pandithan is the curse for the IPF.
Mahathir: Samy stifled Indian voices
Soon Li Tsin | Mar 6, 08 2:47pm
The problems plaguing the Indian community could be resolved by removing MIC president S Samy Vellu who stifled Indian voices, said former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday.
mahathir interview 050308 virtueIn the second part of an exclusive interview with the Malaysian statesman, Mahathir said removing the MIC leader would allow more Indian voices to be heard.
“I know their main grouse is not with me, their main grouse is with Samy Vellu because with him there, another Indian has been deprived of the chance to come up,” he said.
Speaking to Malaysiakini at his Perdana Leadership Foundation office in Putrajaya, Mahathir deflected allegations that the root cause of the Indian community’s strife was due to his pro-Malay focus during his tenure as PM.
“So they want to blame me? It is not that. Samy Vellu did not ask for assistance. The problem is that he is preventing other Indians from having a say.
“(Indian Progressive Front president MG) Pandithan was got rid of, (former MIC deputy president S) Subramaniam was got rid of, K Pathmanaban died but of course before that, he was (former MIC vice-president).
“That is his (Samy Vellu) way of doing things and of course the other voices cannot reach me. And of course, he doesn’t say there is this battling among the Indians,” he explained.
Pandithan, who was formerly with MIC, started IPF in 1990 after falling out with Samy. The two parties have been at odds with each other, especially after IPF sought to join the BN coalition.
Both Subramaniam and Pathmanaban have a history of bad blood with Samy in their failed attempts to challenge for the party presidency.
Mahathir also said in jest: “You know Indians are very political. Tunku Abdul Rahman used to say if there is one Indian, there is one political party. If there are two Indians, there are two political parties.”
Don’t stay too long
In the interview that lasted almost an hour, Mahathir also alluded that people should not stay in power for too long and chances should be given to others.
samy vellu and mahathir”It is up to him to decide (to step down). A lot of people will say “if you step down, we will step down” and they will cry and all that. But when I step down, nobody stepped down,” he mused.
Samy Vellu who is the works minister and the longest-serving cabinet minister has been the MIC president since 1979 for 10 consecutive terms.
Mahathir also criticised Samy for not bringing up Indian issues in the cabinet.
“That is his excuse. I know how much he talks in the cabinet. Don’t (say) something that others cannot prove because nobody heard him in cabinet except us.
“He talks, but these things were not the issues that he raised – like the recovery of money for the Indian community who were brought here by force and all that.
“He never mentioned that, I’ve never heard him. He never said that the Malays were committing genocide and ethnic cleansing. He never said that. Why didn’t he say that?” he asked.
Asked to comment on the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), the former PM said their demands were unreasonable.
“Quite a lot of their demands were quite unreasonable – practically denying the position of the Malays as the indigenous race on this country. You know this is something very sensitive to the Malays.
“If the government tell the Malays “sorry you’ve got the same status is the Indians” I think there will be a big drop of support for the government from the Malays,” Mahathir added.
forget about Pandithan or Nalla or Chandra Muzafar factor . These are bunch of losers whom supporting BN for personal political growth .
Just came from DAP/PKR ceramah in Penang . Thunderous applause ! Gigantic crowd ! Majority Chinese . Many Indians and few Malays . The crowd was estimated around 40-45k ! Dun believe ? ask your frenz whom attended.
Comparing the crowd of <10k when PM,Kheng Yeik,Dr.Koh,Kah Ting came down a day ago in Penang .
So who changed the mind of chinese ? Hindraf?
Indians , pls wake (if you havent) ! Dun get frightened by MIC/IPF….etc saying Indians will be left out , under represented ….bla ..bla…. Do you think only Indians backing opposition ?
Similarly in PJ , opposition gaining huge chinese support .
I heard whispers some chinese saying they rather vote PAS than BN .
Set aside local media’s brainwashing !
Stay focused ! The momentum is picking up !
Do we wanna vote for cowards whom withdraw indelible ink (which they bought for ~RM2.4mill) ?? Why they withdraw ? Read Raja Petra’s article in MalaysiaToday.
Deliver your votes , both state/parliament to opposition !
Vetri Nichayam !
VJ
Come back to this forum on Sunday after the election result is out and then I will bring you back to reality.
DAP/PKR not even going to deny 2/3 much less about forming the next govt. MIC will win most if not all their seats. There will be a drop of votes for BN but that will not impact the overall political structure.
But what will be interesting is what is going to happen after the GE….I am waiting with bated breath…Makkal Samadhi will finally be buried…all the their thuggish supporters will slowly loose their bravado and quietly return to MIC’s fold…the same &*(%^& who shouted against MIC will be on their knees begging for help. Mark my words….be here on the 9th March.
ok…killer
i will see you on 9 March….
valga makkal sakthi!
BN has been using cheap and dirty tactics all the way . The whole world knows this . It’s pity if someone in Malaysia doesnt know . Because of that it is indeed tough to deny 2/3 majority . BUT , no one could stop from the major wave of people aligning towards opposition this time . Penang is a state to watch .
Indeliable Ink — scrapped . How stupid ?
Media for oppostion and critics blocked totally. They have only Internet . But what is the Net penetration in Malaysia ??
So , dont argue rubbish with me .
A good man could could earn RM1k by selling ‘nasi lemak’ . A robber could also get RM1k by robbing a poor. Bots ‘earns’ RM1k . BUT is the earning comes with dignity for the latter or former ?
The People knows who’s the good one and who’s the cheat !