Posts Tagged ‘Perak’

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Samy ready to meet HINDRAF to iron out community problems

August 19th, 2007
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Hindraf, said to be aligned to an opposition party?

 
I thought HINDRAF supports BN? At least that's what a few of their banners/posters mentioned.
 

He said of the 523 Tamil schools in the country, 180 are fully-aided schools, while the remaining were partially-aided, of which 66 schools have been rebuilt through government and private funding.

 
523 schools in 2007. How many have been closed down? How many in process of relocation? How many have been rejected when approached for relocation? One school rebuilt via private funding is SJKT North Hammock in Setia Alam, due to estate being redeveloped as housing area. Out of 180 schools, how many were turned to fully-aided schools in the last 10 years? in the last 20 years? When will the rest (343 schools) will be converted to fully-aided? Is there a timeline or plan? Rather than looking at schools as physical infrastructure, they should also look at overall education improvement in the last 50 years in Tamil schools – number of students, dropouts, passing rates, facilities (library,science lab, computers, internet, tables/chairs) available at all 523 schools, student-teacher ratio, promotion and career prospects for teachers etc.
 

“We are going to rebuild another 160 Tamil schools with the help of the government,” he said.

 
What is the time frame for these 160 schools to be rebuilt? 20 years? 50 years?
 

On temples, Samy Vellu said only temples that were built or extended on private land without government approvals were demolished and not hundreds of temples as claimed by Hindraf.

If temple already existed before indepedence, can application be made after building constructed? How many application has been made and rejected so far? What happened to the committee to monitor temple issues under DBKL and Perak govt?

On allegations of mistreatment of estate workers, Samy Vellu said the number of Indian estate workers had dwindled drastically, with only about 20 per cent still engaged in the plantation sector, while the rest have migrated to urban areas. “The MIC has been helping these people to get jobs and houses in towns,” he said, adding that in Kuala Lumpur alone, out of 5,000 squatters, the MIC, with the help of the Kuala Lumpur City Hall, has secured 2,000 units of houses.

 
according to latest statistics, 63% of malaysians are in urban areas – meaning more migration and also transformation of rural areas into urban areas through redevelopment. That's why we have more urban poors now. Did they focus on reskilling these migrating or displaced groups so that can adopt to new environment? Anyway, HINDRAF made comparisons on what other community gets as compensation and what the Indians get as compensation. Everyone get house, but what house and where? And how about the issues where some estate folks don't have IC, marriage certs, and are illiterate?
 
Perhaps the comparisons and facts should be linked with similar statistics of all communities so that we can get a fairer picture?
 
 
 
Samy Vellu ready to meet Hindu NGO to iron out community problems

BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Sun.:

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu is willing to meet the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), a non-governmental organisation, to iron out Indian community issues and unresolved matters.

He said he was ever ready to meet any individual or organisations who were unhappy with the alleged shoddy treatment accorded to the Indians or wanted to resolve the community’s problems.

“I am always ready to listen to their views and explain to them the efforts taken by the government in resolving the woes of the Indian community,” the Works Minister said when asked by reporters if he was willing to meet Hindraf officials.

Hindraf, said to be aligned to an opposition party, submitted an 18-page memorandum to the Prime Minister’s office last Sunday on what it alleged as the marginalisation of the Indians by the government.

It also called for an end to the special privileges given to the Malay community.
While stressing that Hindraf had not approached him for a meeting, Samy Vellu said he was willing to meet them to discuss only matters concerning the Indian community.

Samy Vellu also rebutted some of the allegations made by Hindraf that the government had neglected Tamil schools and demolished hundereds of Hindu temples.

“There is no truth to such thing and I have the figures to substantiate them. Please do not make wild allegations,” he said.

He said of the 523 Tamil schools in the country, 180 are fully-aided schools, while the remaining were partially-aided, of which 66 schools have been rebuilt through government and private funding.

“We are going to rebuild another 160 Tamil schools with the help of the government,” he said.

On temples, Samy Vellu said only temples that were built or extended on private land without government approvals were demolished and not hundreds of temples as claimed by Hindraf.

“There is a limit to accusations. We must have an open mind and see things clearly,” he said, adding that the MIC has sought fresh applications for government grants to build and rebuild more temples.

On allegations of mistreatment of estate workers, Samy Vellu said the number of Indian estate workers had dwindled drastically, with only about 20 per cent still engaged in the plantation sector, while the rest have migrated to urban areas.

“The MIC has been helping these people to get jobs and houses in towns,” he said, adding that in Kuala Lumpur alone, out of 5,000 squatters, the MIC, with the help of the Kuala Lumpur City Hall, has secured 2,000 units of houses.

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MCA Youth Assembly says wave handphone, not sword

August 19th, 2007
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MIC youth probably can copy and paste from MCA youth. no need to waste time.
 
This is what i liked the most : "He said the authorities should do away with labels like ‘Muslims and non-Muslims’, ‘bumiputras and non-bumiputras’ among Malaysians to eradicate racism and advocate the spirit of ‘rakyat Malaysia’. "
 
of course in the end, it is all rhetorics to please the crowd and play to the gallery.
 
 
Stick to the Constitution

MALACCA: The MCA Youth has pledged to defend the sanctity of the Federal Constitution to ensure a united and progressive society that allows the freedom to practise one’s religion. 

Movement chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said the spirit of the Constitution must be preserved for a long time for the sake of the future generation and the document must be the reference point. 

“Whenever there is a conflict of opinions about a situation we are not comfortable about, we should refer back to the Constitution,” he said during his speech at the opening of the movement’s annual general assembly. 

Liow said it was not MCA’s culture and certainly not the MCA Youth’s, to wave a sword when making a point. 

“If we wanted to wave something, why not a handphone? A handphone signifies communication and can also be said to promote understanding. We in the MCA Youth rather wave the Federal Constitution,” Liow said as he held out a copy of the document. 

His entire central committee then stood up and waved copies of the country’s supreme law to loud applause from the floor. 

Party deputy president Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy opened the assembly which was held at the Pay Fong Middle school hall here yesterday. 

Liow reminded the delegates not to take lightly the unity which had been enjoyed since independence but instead strive to not only preserve but also to strengthen it. 

“We must appreciate the unity and remind ourselves of the spirit behind our Federal Constitution, which is full of spirit of solidarity, natural justice and goodwill.” 

Quoting Perak Raja Muda Raja Nazrin Shah, Liow said the integrity of that document must be protected at all costs and that many misunderstandings may be avoided if the principles embodied in the Constitution were adhered to strictly. 

“We should not pressure others or to cause tension but instead promote the culture of open-mindedness and always be ready to engage in healthy discourse. 

“In the Barisan family, we are brothers, there is no master and slave, there is no question of who is being scared of whom or who should kowtow to whom,” Liow added to applause. 

He said the authorities should do away with labels like ‘Muslims and non-Muslims’, ‘bumiputras and non-bumiputras’ among Malaysians to eradicate racism and advocate the spirit of ‘rakyat Malaysia’. 

Liow also revealed that the Education Ministry had allocated RM14mil for Chinese primary schools under a four-year adoption programme by MCA Youth. 

He said the move was to upgrade the quality of education in Chinese primary schools to a higher level that was comparable to international standards. 

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Poll by Merdeka Centre say 71 percent indians support PM

August 12th, 2007
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54% of chinese and 80% of the malays, plus 71% of the indians….BN does not need to worry.
 
NST: Go to the ground, says Khairy

BERUAS: Barisan Nasional component parties must work together and resolve outstanding issues which might cause discord among the public, especially those involving the Chinese community.

Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin said it was the responsibility of the component parties to go to the ground and provide a detailed explanation of such issues to the people.

"Take, for example, sensitive issues (involving the Chinese). It would be better if the explanation (to the community) was done (by the MCA or Gerakan) as it would be more credible than if it was carried out by Umno.

"We have to ensure that all races fully understand the concept of give-and-take instead of just focusing on the economy and how to help the Malays," he said after opening the Beruas Umno Youth divisional meeting yesterday.

Khairy said this when asked to comment on a poll carried out by the opinion research firm, Merdeka Centre, in June which showed that only 54 per cent of the Chinese community supported the present administration led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
In the same poll, 86 per cent of Malays and 71 per cent of Indians gave the thumbs up to the administration. The telephone interview survey involved 1022 respondents throughout the peninsula.

"We should not ignore the survey. We have to resolve this matter now instead of hoping that it (findings) will just go away on its own.

"The Chinese community must understand that we also give space to other races and not only to Malays. We (Umno) are not a racist party. Hence, the need for this stand to be explained properly to them."

Meanwhile, Gerakan vice-president Datuk Chang Ko Youn said that racial overtones at the last Umno general assembly still worry Chinese voters.

Their fear of being sidelined as well as worries about the rising inftation and crime rate have made them unhappy, he said.

"It is hoped the government will take measures to soften the impact on the community in the next few months."

Chang, who is Perak Gerakan chief, said political leaders from all Barisan Nasional component parties and Chinese leaders in the community must combine efforts to explain the issues.

 
 
THE STAR: Treat survey findings seriously, Khairy urges BN parties

BERUAS: Barisan Nasional component parties cannot regard lightly the findings of a survey on the people's support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin said yesterday. 

He said the Barisan must find answers and provide an explanation over the findings of the survey, conducted by the Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research, that 71% of respondents supported the Prime Minister while 21% did not.. 

"We have to find the cause. We have to provide the explanation because we believe there is nothing that cannot be explained," he told reporters after opening the Beruas Umno Youth delegates meeting.  

Khairy was referring to a news portal which had quoted the findings of the telephone survey conducted by the centre between June 14 and June 20, involving 1,022 respondents aged 21 and above in Peninsular Malaysia. 

The Merdeka Centre, which has its office in Bandar Baru Bangi, is an opinion research firm set up to concentrate the capabilities of a team of dedicated social scientists and professionals in the field of economics, political science, communications, marketing management and civil society. 

Khairy said he was not accusing the component parties of not having done their best in explaining to the public the findings of the survey, but hoped that they would step up efforts in view of the next general election. 

On the reported plan by PAS to win at least 40 parliamentary seats in the next general election, Khairy said there was no way the opposition party could achieve that, considering the Prime Minister had the support of 80% of the Malays. 

PAS now has six seats in the Dewan Rakyat. 

On another matter, Khairy described as dangerous the mocking of the national anthem Negaraku by a Malaysian student in Taiwan. 

He said Umno Youth felt that the action of Wee Meng Chee, 24, who went by the nickname Namewee, could incite anger among the cosmopolitan population in the country. ? Bernama  

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Assemblyman Rajoo laments dwindling number of tamil schools

August 9th, 2007
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While other talk about relocating an under-populated school, we always agree to merger of schools. Of course the number of school will reduce la!!!
 
Protect religion and culture, Tamil teachers told

HINDU temples and Tamil schools reflect the character of the Indian community, who must safeguard this identity or lose it forever, said Malaysia Nanban. 

Quoting Perak state executive councillor and Hutan Melintang state assemblyman Datuk G. Rajoo, the paper said the community must step up measures to protect their religion as well as their arts, culture and the Tamil language. 

Towards this end, there must be more activities to generate interest among the young, he told a gathering of retired Tamil teachers in the Lower Perak district at Teluk Intan on Tuesday. 

Rajoo lamented that the number of Tamil schools in Perak had dwindled in recent years from 154 previously to only 134 now, adding that parents had a duty to send their children to these schools to keep Tamil education alive. 

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Kavyeas hits back

July 31st, 2007
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"I would never issue such threats. A threat is waving a keris and asking when you are going to draw blood," he said.
– Ouch!
 
He said Malacca can "award 200 Datukships to people without positions or even addresses in Malaysia, but he (Ali) could not recommend one to our state chairman of 15 years who is a senator". "He campaigned for Umno and Ali Rustam in the rain and sun. What did he get in return?"
 

Kayveas said the seat allocation to the PPP would be discussed in September among the four main BN component parties – Umno, MCA, MIC and Gerakan. "PPP is not part of this and there are two parties that will not be happy if seats are given to PPP."

– is he sure the other TWO parties will be happy if PPP gets seats?
 
In Kelantan, he said, 5,000 Malays, including Umno members, have joined the party.

– Sure or not?

 
 
Kayveas: No threats, PPP members will decide future
source
Terence Fernandez
PETALING JAYA (July 30, 2007): People's Progressive Party (PPP) president Datuk M. Kayveas today denied threatening to pull out of Barisan Nasional (BN) and issued veiled references against senior Umno leaders.

"I would never issue such threats. A threat is waving a keris and asking when you are going to draw blood," he said.

"I just said we would have to think about our future in the BN if we are not going anywhere. I don't think that is an ultimatum. Come on, we are in no position to give ultimatums to anyone."

He also took to task Umno vice-president and Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam for saying the PPP can join other political parties, which will just mean more seats for other BN member parties.

He said Malacca can "award 200 Datukships to people without positions or even addresses in Malaysia, but he (Ali) could not recommend one to our state chairman of 15 years who is a senator".

"He campaigned for Umno and Ali Rustam in the rain and sun. What did he get in return?"

Stressing that PPP's future presence in BN will be dictated by its members, Kayveas said: "While I would prefer the party to remain in the ruling coalition, I also cannot ignore the voices of our 500,000 party members.

"I'd rather work from within than from outside, but at the end of the day, if the majority of PPP members decide we have to rethink our strategy, and if we are strong enough to do so, then I will have to respect the voices of the majority."

Kayveas, who holds the PPP's sole seat as Taiping MP, said Sunday (yesterday)'s reports that he issued an ultimatum to the BN that PPP would leave the coalition if its demand for more seats and positions were not fulfilled, were untrue.

He said he did make the request for four parliamentary seats, 12 state seats, 79 local council seats and the position of Ipoh mayor at the party's 54th anniversary celebrations in Johor Baru on Friday (July 27).

"These are seats and positions that were already in PPP's hand before it joined the BN in 1972," he said.

"When you speak to party members, of course you need to tell them what they want to hear. They want to know where the party is headed and it is my responsibility to tell them but I never issued any ultimatum although I did voice my dissapointment at not being given due recognition."

Kayveas said the seat allocation to the PPP would be discussed in September among the four main BN component parties Ð Umno, MCA, MIC and Gerakan..

"PPP is not part of this and there are two parties that will not be happy if seats are given to PPP."

Kayveas, who is a deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department, said he did not request a full ministership because it was inappropriate for him to do so as the position would ultimately go to him as party president.

Yesterday, Kayveas was taken to task by senior BN component party leaders, including Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, Ali Rustam, Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Perak mentri besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali, and MCA vice-president and Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

Kayveas said: "Ali Rustam doesn't know history. It was our strength, not weakness that prompted (then prime minister) Tun Abdul Razak to invite us to join the coalition.

"PPP is worse off now after joining the BN. If we are outside, we could be a formidable opposition. This, again, is not a threat. I'm just stating facts."

Accusing Mohd Ali of not recognising the PPP's contributions, he said: "In 1996, he asked for the PPP's single senate allocation to be given to Umno. I acceded to his request, and when I asked for the seat to be returned, he refused. It was only through the prime minister's intervention that we got our senatorship back."

Kayveas also said the party is on an membership drive.

In Kelantan, he said, 5,000 Malays, including Umno members, have joined the party.

"Eventually, we want at least a 40% Malay membership in the PPP," he said.

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