164 PSD scholarships awarded to Indians

/* June 15th, 2008 by poobalan | View blog reactions 38 comments »
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Something fishy. Samy said that number of scholarship awarded to Indians this is year (161) is more than double of last year, but Dato S.Subra said last year it was 120 students. Anyways, it has been clarified that 164 students had been given scholarships, up to Friday noon. Meaning more to come?

Out of the 164, 53 obtained medical seats.

Rather than resting on its laurels, MIC better start a pressure-cum-thinktank group to ensure this problem does not repeat next year. Perhaps they can set-up a clearinghouse or one stop centre for students to submit their application via MIC. As long as it does not create avenues for cronyism or corruption within MIC (wishful thinking?) Obviously the preferred solution will involve revamping PSD’s selection procedure, something quite impossible given the current political scenario.

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MIC complaints about civil service intake

/* June 15th, 2008 by poobalan | View blog reactions 2 comments »
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Same old story, yet again. I think if we analyse the issues discussed by MIC for last two decades, it centers around the same topics only. Sign of stagnation, inaction, inability, or continuous improvement? Which is it?

Samy:

You can hardly find an Indian employee in the state civil sector.

Anyway, this time Samy says that “Indians are grossly underrepresented even at the district and municipal council levels”. At least, those days we can find drivers, office boys, gardeners, etc in these places. But with changing times, the community may not be interested in these kind of menial jobs which lack career prospect. Having said that, even those who apply for these low-salary positions face stiff competition from the majority race.

Samy wants to meet the menteri besar and chief ministers from BN-held states to solve this problem. if I can offer a solution – force 50% of position to be given to other races (let MIC champion other communities too) for the next 5 years. this positions (ranging from all levels of jobs) cannot be filled by the privileged community under any circumstances. this will force the states to find innovative ways to promote the vacancies. No point MIC or other NGOs waste money doing more surveys and roadshow to try promot career in public sector. Let the state departments do it. End of the day, XX number of people must be hired. Make it part of the KPI of the directors.

He says that he won’t approach Pakatan-held states and says that it will be easier to work with BN states. Well, we have seen how “easy” it is to work with BN states for last few years. I think it will be easier to work with Pakatan states. Maybe Samy should give it a try indirectly, using his connections.

Meanwhile, CWC member Murugesan highlighted in his blog that:

On 8th June, 2008, the Road Transport Department or Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ) published the list of successful candidates for ‘Jawatan Pembantu Penguatkuasa Gred N17′ in Mingguan Malaysia.

It is alarming to note that out of 751 successful candidates, only 15 were non-Bumiputras. It constitutes less then 2% of successful candidates. Out of this, only 10 candidates or 1.3% were Indians. » Read more: MIC complaints about civil service intake

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Fathers Day at Istana Negara

/* June 14th, 2008 by poobalan | View blog reactions 4 comments »
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Following is report from Malaysiakini on the HINDRAF-organised Father’s Day gathering at Istana Negara today. Earlier, it was reported that YB Manikavasagam and YB Sivarasa were among the 6 people arrested at the gathering.

Interestingly, Ronnie Liu ACCEPTED the bear on behalf (of the KING?). I’m not sure who he is representing, definitely not the King.

I think Hindraf have to look beyond flowers, teddy bears and other gifts, as it may be shunned if seemed to be not effective. There should be some brainstorming session to ensure it gets continuous support from the Makkal. Makkal will forget the suffering and sacrifices of the Hindraf 5 if not constantly reminded, but there should be variety of ways to maintain the momentum. Perhaps some sort of branding and merchandising strategy – T-shirts, caps, car stickers, badges could be created. They can get support in the Pakatan states, so that’s a good starting point.

The intention of 48 children of ISA detainees to present Father’s Day gift of teddy bears to the Agong was dampened by the police and a no-show from palace representatives.

Chanting “Daulat Tuanku”, the children carrying teddy bear bouquets accompanied by about 30 adults were stopped from approaching the palace by police who formed a barricade 500 meters from the palace gates at around 10.40 this morning.

Policemen, already alert after an earlier arrest of three opposition parliamentarians, were quick to gather around the crowd. A senior police officer approached event leaders who were Hindraf leaders – RS Thananenthiran (national coordinator), S Jayathas (national information coordinator) and A Vathemurthy (Perak state coordinator) – requesting that the crowd to disperse immediately.

Thananenthiran then shouted that “We are Malaysian citizens who would like to present a gift to the father of all Malaysians.”

There were continuous pleas from the crowd which argued that as Malaysian citizens they should have the right to gather in front of the palace without a permit.  “Tourists are allowed to gather and present gifts, so why can’t we? This must be changed. We have all the right to rally peacefully,” said Vathemurthy.

The heat under the strong sun caused some of the children – from five to 15 years of age – to begin crying in discomfort.

Thananenthiran then asked the police to be compassionate with the children. The police officer fired back that although he loved children, they were being only being ‘utilised’ by Hindraf leaders. » Read more: Fathers Day at Istana Negara

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Sivarasa and Manikavasagam arrested

/* June 14th, 2008 by poobalan | View blog reactions No comments »
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Both were at the HINDRAF-arranged gathering to present the Agong with flowers and teddy bears today at 10.30am. 15 children were selected to present the teddy bears. The gift were placed at the Istana Negara’s entrance.

According to HINDRAF, the purpose of the gathering was to ask the Agong, on Father’s Day tomorrow, to  release the fathers’ of these children. Hindraf National Event Coordinator, Kannan says:

the purpose of the gathering was to appeal to the King to advise Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar to release all the ISA detainees.

“These children do not have their fathers with them for Father’s Day (tomorrow) and that’s why they gave the King flowers as he too is a father,”

Obviously no one was around to receive the gift. Instead, the police instructed the crowd to disperse. Some were arrested, including the MPs above, and also MP for Ampang, Zuraida Kamaruddin.

According to MalaysiaKini, they were released on police bail around 1pm.  Hindraf Lawyer N Surendran was also arrested and released on bail.

According to the police:

Brickfields OCPD Asst Comm Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid said all of the people arrested were released on bail by 12.45pm.

He said the police arrived at about 10am and asked members of the public, including tourists, to vacate the area around Istana Negara’s main gate.

“Everybody left except for a group who refused to leave. We gave them three warnings to disperse. Deputy OCPD (Supt Azri Abd Rahman) spoke to them, and at 10.20am, I told gave them five minutes to disperse.  “At 10.25am, they still refused to leave so we arrested them. No force was used, and they did not resist arrest,” he said.

At 10.35am, ACP Wan Bari said a group of 70 people, including about 15 children, alighted buses parked some distance away and walked towards Istana Negara. “Each child was carrying a basket lined with yellow cloth containing flowers and a teddy bear. They left the baskets in front of the palace gate,” he said, adding that they left after being asked to.

ACP Wan Bari said he could not comment further on investigations as “counter-reports have been made” against him for ordering the arrest of the six, and his comments would prejudice investigations.

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Punctual for Dasavatharam

/* June 14th, 2008 by poobalan | View blog reactions 4 comments »
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Friday sees the screening of Dasavatharam, Kamalhaasan’s long awaited movie! Hopefully I can catch it next week. In the meantime, wonder if our makkal can share their views on the movie. Judging from the photo below, it would be full house! I wonder if they joined the protest against fuel hike after 2pm at Kg Baru.


dasavatharam-queue.jpg

The queue at Coliseum KL at 11am

Thanks to pathmakumar for the photo!

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