Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email Hmm…what a pity. Foreigners also don’t give much respect to MIC. As I mentioned earlier, MIC Youth planned to organise a protest, and they actually did. It was over the killing of Sri Lankan Tamils by the national army.
As reported by Malaysiakini:
MIC Youth wing and several non-governmental organisations this morning staged a peaceful demonstration in front of the Sri Lankan High Commission in Jalan Damai, off Jalan Ampang against the civil war in that island.
More than 200 people protested against the Sri Lankan government’s ongoing continued air and ground attacks against Sri Lankan Tamils.
They said that these attacks resulted in innocent men, women and children being killed and maimed.
The demonstration was led by MIC Youth deputy coordinator S Murugesan and MIC Youth advisory council chairman S Ramis. MIC Youth coordinator T Mohan and S Vell Paari were present to give their moral support.
Protestors wore black armbands while some carried placards depicting the pictures of the affected women, children and damaged houses.
The protesting entourage however did not submit a protest note to the high commission after their officials insisted on only allowing MIC Youth officials to present it.
Murugesan said that it was unacceptable as MIC Youth had already informed the high commission that they were coming together with the NGOs to hand over the memorandum.
“It seems that the high commission wants to divide the MIC Youth and the NGOs. Their condition is unacceptable,” he told reporters.
Murugesan also said that they would initiate a campaign to urge Malaysians to boycott Sri Lanka products as well as the Sri Lanka Airlines.
“We would be having another demonstration with a much bigger crowd in the near future. We will show our strength,” he said.
The protest started at about 10.30am and ended by 12.45 pm without any untoward incident.
Obviously, people will question why MIC Youth is being busybody in other people’s affairs, when there’s so much problem in our community that needs urgent solution. Those 200 people could have gathered at PM’s office, palace, DBKL, Education Ministry, Kamunting, or any other organisations/agencies that discriminated against local Indians. Why not? Well, one must be crazy to against their fellow partners, I guess. Sri Lankan embassy is OK because they really don’t affect MIC. They also protested at Selangor MB’s office (again, an entity that won’t affect them because the are the opposition) regarding temple demolition issue.
For those interested, photos of the protest is at :
http://pemudamic.org/index.php?ind=gallery&op=section_view&idev=15
MIC…getting selective Mad cow disease….
The world need one voice to help them. Even in India, opposition and rulling party joined together for this.
I dont understand why in Malaysia still got downgraded mentality ppl like Mr.Poobalan who are condemning the action/protest by the MIC Youth.
If Mr.Poobalan dont like them, it doesnt mean they are not doing the right thing.
By the time Mr.Poobalan sitting and writing this article, one or two tamil kids may die in Sri Lanka. In Malaysia it is not that worst until killings happen. In Malaysia, people like Mr.Poobalan still able to go for work, eating with family, having facility to express his critics towards an organisation tht condemned the Sri Lankans killings.
At least, must be thankful tht the MIC Youth tht did the protest even they know Sri Lankan Government has diplomatic relationship with Malaysian Government. How can Mr.Poobalan said, they really dont effect ?
It is not being busy body brother. It is showing some concern. The same thing goes to Hindraf Chairman asking for the International Oragnisation from various country to interfere in Malaysian Internal affairs concerning Indians. What is the difference ?
I beleive Mr.Poobalan need to study well deep in to this matter. Write with responsibility.
Thank you for the reply. For your record, I’m against wars because innocent people die. My article was based on feedback from friends, forumers, observers etc. who question MIC Youth’s action. After that only I added my view – the protest was done by MIC Youth because it does not affect their interests. No other BN coalition will protest this action. So, you see, its a “safe” activity. And having MIC people protesting really doesn’t change anything in terms of diplomatic relationship between Sri Lanka and Malaysia.
Now, what MIC Youth should do is pressure the ruling government to make a stand or issue a protest note. Then only got meaning. They should, for example: organise a forum that involve other BN parties to condemn the killings. They can start a campaign to boycott Sri Lankan exports (which they stated they would soon). Start a signature campaign. Imagine with 600,000 or so members, MIC can produce some sort of support that its members are against the war. There are so many things MIC Youth as a RULING political party component can do. Of course its not same as HINDRAF which face persecution in own country.
You compared Hindraf Chairman approaching other countries with MIC Youth protesting at embassy as showing concern. The difference is that HINDRAF chairman left his own country to go to another place to gain support. A similar action would be someone from Sri Lanka coming to Malaysia to garner support to stop the war. Not our own citizens protesting in our own country (which is what MIC Youth did). Surely the difference is clear?
Poobalan
You missing the point here…just because you don’t like MIC, it doesnt make whatever they do as wrong.
MIC carried out demos in cases where they have no direct influence. Obviously they need not protest when they have other means of solving the problems like bringing up the official channels since they are a part of the ruling coalition. Of course they demo in Selangor since they have no control over PR govt but in NS they will use their influence to talk to the state leadership. Just look at the case of stateless Indians and their approach in solving it.
As for the demo against Sri Lankan Tamils, I think as an Indian based party what they are doing is right and should be applauded for showing solidarity with the Tamils of Tamil Eelam.
A lot of people here support HINDRAF and their claim of oppression without understanding the real meaning of oppression and ethnic cleansing. Perhaps you should start to read the account of the horrible fate of Tamils in Sri Lanka so to understand what is hardship and oppression is all about.