Posts Tagged ‘MIC’

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MIC and MIED in turmoil over AIMST tenders

January 14th, 2009
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This is really a tale of two side. One on side, there’s the Star version of the issue, and on the other side the Malaysiakini version.

Let’s look at them both. The Star first.:

1. The report says that 3-member panel has been formed to investigate “alleged misappropriation” in the award of contracts by MIC’s education arm, the Maju Institute for Education Development (MIED) concerning the party’s Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology (AIMST).

2. MIED board of directors appointed former MIC treasurer-general Tan Sri K.S. Nijhar to head the panel with MIC deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel and party disciplinary committee chairman Tan Sri G. Vadiveloo as members. It seems that Samy Vellu had instructed during the meeting for the panel to be formed.

3. Samy Vellu was concerned as three contracts seemed to be have been given out at inflated values. The sources said the panel would also investigate two contracts given to companies linked to a senior MIC leader.

4. Nijhar said:

“I am just looking through all the documents and have not gone into the details of the contracts.

“The panel will meet once I have sorted out the documents. The panel is not out to get anyone in particular, but to ensure everything is in order,” he said.

It was learnt that the panel had obtained all files on the alleged misappropriation from the MIED office.

5. The report then mentioned Tan Sri Mahalingam’s name (he was the MIC treasurer until replaced recently by SK Devamany) – “Mahalingam, when contacted, said there was nothing to hide and he would answer queries from the panel”. So, is Mahalingam the “senior MIC leader”? Your guess is as good as mine.

Let’s shift to Malaysiakini’s report:

1.MIC has been rocked by a scandal involving its education arm, Maju Institute for Education Development (MIED), over alleged irregularities in the awarding of contracts for maintenance of the party-run AIMST University. [OK, similar with Star report]

2. Sources said the trouble started when MIED was instructed to revoke two contracts given out based on an ‘open tender’ system. Instead, its managers were told to reassign these to persons close to MIC president S Samy Vellu. [Big difference here. Samy’s name is implicated]

3. The two contracts were respectively for grass-cutting services and to operate a canteen at the university. Sources said the sum quoted by the new parties – one of whom is based in Ipoh – was considerably higher than that in the bids already accepted.

4. The contracts were among five awarded by MIED for various services last year. [we get the figure of 5 contracts. The Star reported 3+2, so is it the same contracts?]

5. Heads are expected to roll – in fact, the summary dismissal of party treasurer M Mahalingam two weeks ago is said to be one outcome, although Samy Vellu had attributed it to “routine change”. On Dec 23, Mahalingam also had to relinquish his post as chairperson of MIED Capital Sdn Bhd, the company that runs the AIMST University located in Semeling, Kedah. [I bet this was not publicized anywhere. So, Malaysiakii links Mahalingam in this case]

6. Insiders said the situation over the contracts has pitted Mahalingam and MIED chief operating officer P Chitthirakala Vasu against Samy Vellu. It is learnt that both were unhappy with the manner in which they were forced to re-issue the contracts, and had repeatedly raised the matter with Samy Vellu. [Unlike the Star’s version, this paragraph indicates that its not Mahalingam who is the alleged “senior leader” in the Star, but its Samy himself!]

7. Chitthirakala is said to be under pressure to submit her resignation as well, but has refused to do so. She has told close friends that she will fight Samy Vellu “until the truth is known”. [she has now gone “on leave” and the Deputy CEO has taken over the running of MIED. I have a copy of her coffee table book on Samy Vellu]

8. “This is an explosive matter. The president is worried that this matter will be used against him in the party polls later this year and has decided to act against the duo,” said a source.

9. Sources said Samy Vellu has questioned the huge debt amassed in running the university, and that he has blamed the MIED top management for this.

10. Samy Vellu has since set up a three-member panel to investigate the alleged irregularities in awarding three of the five contracts, which he claimed had been given out at an inflated value. Details of the three contracts are not known. Set up following a meeting of the MIED board of directors last Friday, the panel is headed by former party treasurer KS Nijhar (right). The other two members are deputy president G Palanivel and party disciplinary committee chairperson G Vadiveloo. All three of them are considered to be Samy Vellu’s loyalists. Athough Nijhar and Palanivel had a fallout with Samy Vellu recently, insiders said that they are back in his good books.[similar with the Star report]

11. The panel is also expected to look into why the cost of constructing the university had increased.[extra duty of the panel]

12. The sources also said that Mahalingam, who had attended the meeting, had asked the panel to investigate the two contracts given to companies linked to Samy Vellu. [the Star did not mention that Mahalingam was at the meeting]

13. It seems Mahalingam has said –

“He has said that he has nothing to hide and that he had only followed the president’s instructions,” said an aide.“Mahalingam has also urged Samy Vellu to hand over the matter to the newly-established Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, but the president wants the matter to be probed internally.”

14. Sources, however, see the sole purpose of the panel was the removal of Chitthirakala – “The panel is in place so that Samy Vellu is not implicated in the (alleged) financial irregularities of MIED. It is not just a witch hunt against the top people in MIED, but also to clear Samy Vellu of wrongdoing,” said a source.

So,  reading both reports gives us more information to digest. What we can agree is that there’s a 3-member panel who will investigate 3 (or 5) contracts. 3 contracts alleged to be given out at inflated values, and the other two instructed to be given to companies linked to senior MIC leader (Samy Vellu ?) . The target of the panel is to investigate who’s fault it is. For me, if anyone can instruct MIED to do this and that, the investigation becomes easier. We are looking at the top people in MIED, MIED Capital, and MIC. 3 companies, 3 names.

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Kuala Terengganu Indian voters meet Najib

January 14th, 2009
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I saw the Indians at Kuala Terengganu attending a dinner (organised by MIC?) over the TV. At that time, it was mentioned by the reporter that Deputy PM Najib may attend the dinner.

Looks like he did, and below is extract from NST report:

Datuk Seri Najib Razak last night urged the Indian community not to fall prey to the opposition’s provocative campaigns.

He said although there had been some recent problems affecting the Indians, these problems were not entirely insoluble.

“I am very confident that these problems can be addressed effectively through consultation and discussion,” he said at a dinner with the local Indian community.

The deputy prime minister acknowledged that there had been some dissatisfaction among Indians regarding several sensitive issues, including some that were raised within the Umno set up.

“Umno is a large party and the views of one or two members do not represent our stand as a whole.”

Najib said issues such as the destruction of Hindu temples had been blown out of proportion and exploited by some quarters for their own political benefit.

“Let me assure you of this: we are not the type of government that goes around destroying temples in the country.”

Najib said the government was also constantly in touch with grassroots leaders from the community to solve their problems.

This included the problem of stateless Indians, he said, adding that he had raised this issue in the cabinet.

Najib urged Indians not to be fooled by the opposition’s propaganda, saying that unlike Barisan Nasional, Pakatan Rakyat was a loose coalition that could not even share common objectives.

3 things I would like to refer from his speech:

1. what he means by recent?

2. “including some that were raised within the Umno set up” and “the views of one or two members do not represent our stand as a whole” . I think the action that the party to in response to the one or two members is lacking. Latest incident is when banners saying close down Tamil schools were shown in Melaka during an unreleated protest by UMNO.

3. “we are not the type of government that goes around destroying temples in the country.” This is most laughable. While he may proclaim so, the truth is the opposite. Temples were and are being demolished for various reasons. He should have not said this statement.  He could have reworded it into something more acceptable like ” won’t demolish or relocate temples without proper procedures being followed”. Then, maybe we can consider his statement as possible.

At the same dinner, Sothinathan gave his views:

MIC vice-president Datuk S. Sothinathan said a party survey showed that in the March general election, 80 per cent of the Indians had supported Barisan Nasional.

“This time around, we do not see much problems in getting the support of the Indians.

“Things in Kuala Terengganu are far different as compared with the other states, for example during the Permatang Pauh by-election.

“There are no real issues among the Indian voters here,” Sothinathan said at the MIC office, near here.

Sothinathan, who is also MIC co-ordinator for the by-election, said he had been getting positive feedback during meet-the-Indian voters sessions.

“Most of the issues which they have raised are concerning day to day matters. We have pledged to look into their problems and seek solutions.”

One of the main grouses of the Indian community in Kuala Terengganu is difficulty in getting citizenship.

“There was a case of an elderly couple, both in their 70s who have been here for more than 40 years but still have not got their citizenship.“

Other issues include business opportunities, education, housing and employment in the civil service.

Sothinathan said MIC would also help to provide transport to bring back Indian voters working or living outside Kuala Terengganu.

1. Hmm…80% supported BN in the March general elections???

2. 40 years and no citizenship. Indonesian who comes now can be public bus driver holding PR. What an irony.

However, there seems to be a lack of local issues for Indian community, unless they look at national issues affecting the community. Of course, if what Samy Vellu says is right, there are some problems affecting the Indians due to UMNO itself!:

The MIC president also claimed that during his visit to the parliamentary seat of Kuala Terengganu recently to oversee the setting up of MIC’s operations room in preparation for the Jan 17 by-election, many had complained to him that Indian, especially Hindu religious songs and cultures, were allegedly barred from being practiced openly

Whoa! What a blooper! (or is it the truth?)

BTW, The same Star report mentioned that:

While the Chinese voters have been described as the “king-makers” in the Kuala Terengganu by-election, the voice of the 523 registered Indian voters cannot be ignored.

Of this number, 380 live in the area while the rest are working in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang and Johor.

Most of the Indian voters, at 235, are registered in the Bandar state seat, 188 in Ladang, 80 in Batu Burok and the rest in Wakaf Mempelam.

They are mostly businessmen and professionals, like lawyers.

This is critical as the majority by the previous MPs was only 628. If the Malay votes are split equally, the Chinese and Indians will be the king makers.

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National Ponggal Celebration

January 13th, 2009
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Got a reply on my earlier post – How grand is Ponggal this year. The national ponggal celebration will be held tomorrow at Menara KL at 10am. Putera MIC is supporting the event.

National Ponggal Celebration 2009

Thanks for the poster, Novinthen 🙂

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MIC Youth asks for resolution on Sri Lankan war

January 12th, 2009
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Two months ago, MIC Youth led a protest of BN coalition partners at the Sri Lankan embassy. Today, they upped the ante and demanded a similar resolution as the one against Israel to be passed against the Sri Lankan government.

Their advisor Vel Paari said they will submit a memorandum to PM Badawi to ask for tabling of a motion in the parliament. Question is how much support the coalition will give.

The Malaysian government should initiate the passing of a resolution requesting the United Nations to intercede immediately with the Sri Lankan government to stop Tamils being killed indiscriminately in its war with the Tamils in Sri Lanka, said MIC Youth advisor Vel Paari.

In a statement today, he said what is happening in Sri Lanka is similar to the Israeli aggression against the Palestinians.

“The Sri Lankan military is killing innocent Tamils. Untold number of children are the victims of their savage attacks. In these awful atmosphere of death and sorrow we request the Malaysian government to initiate a resolution to request the United Nations to intercede and stop such massacres and carnage.

“There should be immediate ceasefire in Sri Lanka. Those affected by the savage attacks of the Sri Lankan forces need to be evacuated to safe-zones and be provided with necessary medical care and other assistance. The world body must ensure that the Sri Lankan government ceases all its military activities and peace be returned to the areas inhabited by the Tamils,” he said.

Many nations including Malaysia, said Vel Paari, have condemned Israel for its military actions in Palestine.

The same kind of savagery is being carried out in Sri Lanka and so nations, including Malaysia, should condemn Sri Lanka for its military actions, he added.

He said MIC Youth is meeting this week to discuss and prepare a memorandum for submission to the government.

The memorandum will be presented to Prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and copies will be submitted to all the component parties of Barisan Nasional.

“It is worthwhile to recall here that Umno Youth had requested the government recently to initiate a resolution in the Parliament to not only condemn Israel but also to request UN to initiate some form of action to stop the war and resume peace talks by the parties involved.

“We, on our part will urge Umno Youth to do the same in respect of the affairs of the Tamils in Sri Lanka,” he said.

“Those affected Tamils in Sri Lanka are the same as Tamils in Malaysia. In terms of race, religion, culture and language we have common links and heritage.

“We, Malaysian Indians have a moral responsibility to question the actions of the Sri Lanka government, and need be condemn its actions without any reservations,” he added.

Vel Paari also pointed out that BN component parties, apart from MIC, such as Gerakan and PPP, have many Indian members.

“So as component parties of BN, we have every right to request the Malaysian government to initiate such a resolution requesting the UN to intercede in the affairs of Sri Lanka and to stop innocent Tamils from being killed indiscriminately,” he said.

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Another MIC leader murdered

January 12th, 2009
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Is it just me or is there an increase in death among MIC leaders?
– Tenggaroh assemblyman Krishnasamy
– Kota Raja MIC Youth Chief Selvadhurai

and now Ipoh Barat treasurer, N Sitamparam, 64.. He was hacked to death by 5 people at least. Wife was unhurt in the suspected robbery. 5 people murder a 64 year old man and leave his wife alive. Robbery? Well, a Waja, jewelery, some cash and a handphone was stolen.

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