Posts Tagged ‘Politicians’

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MIC hotline to start in April

January 16th, 2008
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One of the positive outcome from Hindraf rally is the plan by MIC to set up a hotline, which was to take 6 months to set up. No reason was given then for the extremely long during. Now, SV says its part of their modernisation of the MIC HQ as well. The call centre is expected to be ready by April.

MIC also said there will be a special committee…

By K. Harinderanharinderan@nst.com.my

source

KUALA LUMPUR: The MIC is setting up a hotline call centre at its headquarters here to address problems faced by Indians in the country.

"The centre, which will be fully operational in April, will be manned by professionals who will record and refer the problems received from the community to the relevant offices within the MIC," MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said yesterday. "We are modernising the MIC headquarters in line with our objective to have a new outlook in facing the general election."

He said the future for Indians was bright under the leadership of Prime Minster Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who was receptive to problems facing the community.

He said a vote for the opposition in the general election would be detrimental to the nation's progress.

Only the MIC could cater to socio-economic needs of the Indian community and developments. Incidents in the past two months had been detrimental to the hard work and position of the Indians, he added.

Samy Vellu, who is also the works minister, said he would be asking for an allocation of RM3.8 billion for new projects this year. This is because its present allocation has run out. "The billions allocated by the government last year have been reduced to a mere RM20."

He said this after launching the 6th annual Ponggal celebration which was attended by over 800 people at Menara Kuala Lumpur. Colourful earthen pots, sugar cane and visitors in traditional Indian outfits added colour to the festivities.

Ponggal, which has been celebrated over the last 5,000 years, originated from Tamil Nadu in India and is observed by Hindus to thank God for a bountiful harvest.

"I am lucky to be here for the festival and experience first-hand a facet of the Indian culture," said Elizabeth Heise, 74, a tourist from Holland.

The event was organised by Putera MIC. Putera MIC national co-ordinator P. Kamalanathan said a similar event was organised in Chennai, India, this year under the theme "The Colours of Ponggal from Menara KL" to highlight the unity and understanding of the various races in Malaysia.

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Ponggal message from MIC and PPP

January 15th, 2008
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“When we speak with one voice, we will achieve our goals. When we act with one determination, nothing can stop us from fulfilling our dreams.”

– like what Hindraf rally did?

Palanivel said Indians came to this blessed country not hoping that someone would give them "free money", but to work hard and create a better future for themselves and future generations.

– meaning there are people in this country getting free money, but others cannot expect the same?

Speak with one voice, Indians told

source

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian Indians must unite for the good of everyone because it is the key to their future, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said yesterday. 

He said they must work as a team and not allow themselves to become tools of those who wish to split the community for their own agenda.  “There are many more things to be done, many more challenges to overcome,” he said in a press statement in conjunction with Ponggal festival, which begins today.  

“When we speak with one voice, we will achieve our goals. When we act with one determination, nothing can stop us from fulfilling our dreams.”  

He added the party would never bow to pressure because the MIC existed solely for the well-being of the Indian community.  

Samy Vellu said the community must appreciate all opportunities given to them and make full use of them. “As we work towards attaining our dreams and goals, we must not forget those who are in need of help – the poor and the disabled,” he said. 

Samy Vellu: Let's unite to harvest good future

source

KUALA LUMPUR: Harvest a good future through unity.

That, in essence, is Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu's Ponggal message to Malaysians, especially those of Indian origin. As unity is the key to a good future, the MIC president urged them to be united and strengthen their ties to work as a team, and with one voice.

"We must not allow ourselves to become tools of those who wish to split the community for their own agenda," Samy Vellu, who is also works minister, said yesterday.

Ponggal (Harvest Festival), which will be observed by Malaysian Hindus today, is a celebration to thank God for a good harvest and offer gratitude to nature.

"There are many more things to be done, many more challenges to overcome. So, let us unite for the good of everyone. Unity is our strength. "When we speak with one voice, we will achieve our goals. When we act with one determination, nothing can stop us from fulfilling our dreams," Samy Vellu said in a statement.

In this context, he added, the MIC would continue to safeguard the rights and interests of all Indians in the country, and "we will never fall because we know the people are behind us".

He said the largest Indian-based political party in the country would not bow to any pressure from any quarters because it believed that its sole existence is for the well-being of Malaysians of Indian origin. "We will continue to fight for the betterment of our community and nation. This is our pledge, this is our mission and this is our destiny," added Samy Vellu.

Meanwhile, MIC deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel, in his Ponggal message, urged Malaysians of Indian origin to work hard and strive for a better future, not just for themselves but also for the future generation. "You can only reap what you sow…if we work hard now, then this hard work will be translated into greater benefits and these benefits are not only for us, but the future generation, as well."

Palanivel said Indians came to this blessed country not hoping that someone would give them "free money", but to work hard and create a better future for themselves and future generations. "They believed in this principle. They did well and we are now enjoying a good life, but we must strive harder to create a better future for our children. "Apart from this, they also transplanted the Indian culture and traditions to this soil.

"Ponggal is such a festival brought by our forefathers to this land. All our festivals have taken deep root in this country, and let us continue celebrating these festivals as our forefathers did," said Palanivel, who is also women, family and community development deputy minister.

People's Progressive Party president Datuk M. Kayveas called on the Indian community to utilise opportunities provided by the government to uplift their standard of living. He said the community should not depend on others for assistance to succeed but instead be able to capitalise and seize the chances available. Kayveas advised Indians in the country to be wary of parties taking advantage of the situation on the pretext of championing the rights of the community. — Bernama

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another MIC fella threatened

January 14th, 2008
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A source said the threats began after the private handphone numbers of the leaders were circulated via SMS.

Meaning all this while the public don't know how to access their leaders?

Death threat for MIC man

source

By NELSON BENJAMIN

JOHOR BARU: Just hours after the slaying of Tenggaroh assemblyman Datuk S. Krishnasamy on Friday, a senior national MIC leader received a call saying he was next on the hit list. The leader has lodged a police report on the threat. It is learnt that the caller, who spoke in Tamil, just uttered a few words before hanging up. Police have started investigations into the case. When contacted, the leader declined to comment. 

Kuala Lumpur CID chief Senior Asst Comm (II) Ku Chin Wah only confirmed that police were investigating a report but declined to elaborate on the content or investigations. It is learnt that police were not taking any threats made against politicians lightly, especially in the wake of Krishnasamy's murder. 

It is also learnt that threats have been made against several senior MIC leaders. They have, however, not made police reports, dismissing this as an “occupational hazard”. 

A source said the threats began after the private handphone numbers of the leaders were circulated via SMS.  

On Saturday, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said Krishnasamy had told him two weeks ago that he had received that death threats. He reminded all MIC assemblymen and MPs to be extra cautious and also ordered for security to be beefed up at all MIC buildings.

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PM to talk on managing multiracial country

January 14th, 2008
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As long as economy is well, public won't complain much. As long the majority are taken care of, there overall situation will be fine.

Not sure if PM will be asked to talk/comment about illegal conversions, apostasy, banning of books/movies, temple demolition, forced wearing of tudung/songkok, etc.

PM to tell how KL bridged racial-religious gaps

source

By MERGAWATI ZULFAKAR

MADRID: Malaysia will get to share with other world leaders its experience as a successful moderate Islamic country with a multi-racial society and serve as an example to other nations. 

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, specially invited to the First Alliance of Civilisations (AoC) annual forum here from tomorrow will explain how Malaysia was able to bridge the religious and racial gaps among its people. 

The two-day forum, to be opened by the President of Spain, Josi Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, will be attended, among others, by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and former Portugal President Jorge Sampaio, who is also UN High Representative for AoC.  

Malaysian ambassador to Spain Datuk Naimun Ashakli Mohammad said the Spanish Government had cited Malaysia as a successful Muslim country, which practised a democratic process that could be emulated by others. 

Naimun said the forum organisers had invited the Prime Minister to be one of the panel members in a plenary session to discuss the topic The Alliance of Civilisations: Managing Diversity in the era of Globalisation. 

Abdullah, who arrived today, is also expected to hold bilateral discussions with Zapatero and extend an invitation to the Spanish leader to attend the third International Conference on Islam and the West in Malaysia. 

The conference to be held on June 9 and 10 is in line with the Malaysian government’s aim to create an alliance among civilisations through the involvement of governments, scholars and civil society.  

The two leaders are also expected to touch on the situation in Myanmar and West Asia. 

On trade ties, Naimun said trade volume amounted to RM3.7 bil, in Malaysia’s favour, between last January and October. Malaysia exported telecommunication equipment, electrical goods, vegetable fats, textile and rubber gloves.

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subra says malaysians cannot be priests

January 14th, 2008
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A memorandum was submitted to the Home Affairs Ministry in the 1970s outlining the various difficulties faced by Malaysian temples and gurdwaras in employing local priests and musicians. "Following the submission of the memorandum, a new policy was formulated by the Home Affairs Ministry in 1984 stating that Hindu and Sikh priests from India shall be considered to stay in Malaysia for a maximum period of seven years, and musicians for a maximum period of five years, to be renewed on an annual basis," he said.

– even if we assume 1979 as submission year, it took 4 YEARS to establish the new policy!
– renewal on annual basis. So if 7 years from 1984, it is 1991. For the last 16 years, there have been annual renewals for priests.

He added that it was not possible to train Malaysians to become priests because they had to be vegetarians and teetotallers.

– meaning generally local Hindus not fit to be priests? Can we say out of every 10 Hindus, 6 consume alcohol, while 9 are non-vegetarian?

The salary offered was also low, only about RM500 monthly.

– last time maybe yes. Now with so many prayers from birth to death, priests can earn quite well.

Subra: Consult before making policy changes

source

KUALA LUMPUR: A memorandum was submitted to the Home Affairs Ministry in the 1970s outlining the various difficulties faced by Malaysian temples and gurdwaras in employing local priests and musicians.

Former MIC deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam said local Indians faced difficulty in becoming priests because they were not educated in Sanskrit, the common language used along with Tamil for performing Hindu rites and prayers.
Subramaniam was commenting on a statement by Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad that the government had tightened the rules on the entry of foreign religious teachers and priests from other countries to encourage more locals to become priests.

Subramaniam said priests from India undergo several years of training to become a priest. He added that it was not possible to train Malaysians to become priests because they had to be vegetarians and teetotallers.

The salary offered was also low, only about RM500 monthly.

"Following the submission of the memorandum, a new policy was formulated by the Home Affairs Ministry in 1984 stating that Hindu and Sikh priests from India shall be considered to stay in Malaysia for a maximum period of seven years, and musicians for a maximum period of five years, to be renewed on an annual basis," he said.

Subramaniam also urged the government to consult relevant Indian-based religious bodies in Malaysia before making any policy changes regarding the intake of Hindu and Sikh priests or issues related to their work permits.

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