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Undoubtedly, if one wants to connect with the Indian community in the rumah murah, estates, squatter areas, kampungs, and low cost houses in cities, Tamil language is an important tool. MP Sivarasa has been sitting in Subang, so not much of a problem communicating with the folks there. But go national, and you’ll have a problem.
Yeah, most Tamil people nowadays can understand BM or English (the pasar type also OK la), but nothing beats a fiery speech or friendly banter in Tamil.
Solution is simple la, go and enrol in Tamil class, or better still, hire a personal tutor. My friend Arun learnt Tamil within months until can quote Tirukural.
After all, learning a new language is always an asset (that’s we tell others right?).
“Nandri” and “Vanakkam”, I think every MP and ADUN can say la. No big deal.
From the Star:
There are rumblings on the ground about PKR vice-president R. Sivarasa’s inability to speak Tamil – and this may be a liability for the leader in the party elections at the end of the year.
Some grassroots leaders have openly expressed their wish for Sivarasa to be voted out because they are unhappy he cannot communicate effectively with Indians who did not have a good grasp of English.
They want either Kapar MP S. Manickavasagam or Padang Serai MP N. Gobalakrishan to contest for the post.
Bukit Beruntung/Bukit Sentosa Indian Community Association vice-president N. Nadaraja said the post should be held by a leader who could speak fluently in Tamil.
“We want an Indian leader who can communicate with us effectively to highlight our grouses to the top leaders.
“Sivarasa could not even communicate with the old folk in the estates because he can only say simple words like nandri (thank you) andvanakam (greetings),” he said.
Sivarasa, also the Subang MP, is of Ceylonese descent.
Nadaraja, also a PKR member, said they would nominate Manickavasagam to contest the position.
Nadaraja added that they were also dissatisfied with Selangor executive councillor Dr Xavier Jayakumar for a similar reason.
Meanwhile an on-line news portal reported that 40 Indian leaders had met party president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to express their dissatisfaction over Sivarasa’s inability to speak Tamil.
The group lobbied for Goba lakrishan to take up the post.
Sivarasa, when contacted, said a language handicap should not be regarded as a communication barrier in a multi-racial society.
“Furthermore PKR is a multi-racial party, and its leaders are obligated to serve all the people regardless of their racial background.
“Not being able to speak a certain language is not an issue,” he said.
Sivarasa said even though he could not speak Tamil, fellow party comrades Gobalakrishnan, Manicka vasagam, Dr Xavier, M. Ravi, S. Kesavan and S. Manikumar had good links with the Indian grassroots.
“We practise collective leadership in the party. We take care of all communities,’’ he said.
