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We are seeing a repeating pattern here. Prof Ramasamy or the state government’s handling of Indians is condemned by the certain Indian groups, and he rebuts. First time was in April, then June, and now in July.
This time, Prof says that the claims of “Penang Indians sidelined” are untrue (refer Malaysiakini). He gives the following reasons:
1. it is unfair to expect drastic improvements to the lot of ethnic Indians less than five months after the March 8 election.
2. Within his own parliamentary constituency of Batu Kawan, Ramasamy said
Indians were appointed to head five village security and development
committees (JKKK).
“This had never happened under the
Barisan Nasional in Penang. In the last (Gerakan-led) state government,
only one Indian had been appointed to head a JKKK.
3. The DAP-led Penang government has also ensured Indian representation in
the state executive council as well as city and municipal councils.
4. awarding of land to two Tamil schools, two Hindu temples and groups of goat and cattle breeders. (Which schools and temples?)
5. A state-level committee was also set up to look into the plight of Tamil schools.
6. youth groups have been established to alleviate the problems faced by the Indian poor.
The reason Prof Ramasamy mentioned the above is because of recent complaints by HINDRAF, Pemaswa, and HAN on the “indifferent attittude of Pakatan Rakyat governments” in the three states of Penang, Perak, and Selangor.
The Prof also ups the ante by saying that the “small disgruntled group” is unhappy because these people failed to secure their own appointment as local councillors and members of a certain state religious body.
“We
can accept criticisms, but not mere attempts to discredit the Pakatan
governments. Why don’t they come and meet the state government
representatives to raise these issues?” he asked.
Prof Ramasamy also rejected calls for a special state Indian council as requested by the group. He repeats that Unlike Barisan Nasional, Pakatan Rakyat is not
merely a coalition of parties that represent exclusively the various
ethnic communities.
“I’m helping the Chinese and Malay communities as well. I’ve given financial aid for suraus
and Chinese temples. If they want state Indian councils, then should we
also set up state Malay councils? What about state Chinese councils?
What about state councils for Orang Asli?
“This is not the Pakatan formula. We are a multi-racial coalition and we work for all races,” he stressed.
Well, I’m interested to know, for a start, why the local council cancelled the land for SJKT Azad? Perhaps the good Prof can help to investigate or get his Education Exco to do it.
