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Leaders condemn assemblyman Krishnasamy murder

January 12th, 2008
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PM, DPM, SV, and others expressed shock over the assassination of Tenggaroh state assemblyman Datuk S Krishnasamy.

Leaders condemn rep’s murder

source

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has expressed shock over the murder of Tenggaroh state assemblyman Datuk S. Krishnasamy in Johor Baru yesterday, describing it as a cruel and despicable act. The Prime Minister said he wanted the perpetrators of the crime brought to justice swiftly. “I am shocked and saddened by the killing of Datuk Krishnasamy. This is a cruel and despicable act. I wish to express my condolences to Datuk Krishnasamy's family,” he said. 

Krishnasamy, 62, who was the Johor MIC deputy chairman, was shot dead in the lift of the Johor MIC headquarters. He was found slumped in a pool of blood by Johor MIC Puteri chief R. Vithiya Mohan. The motive for the murder is not known. 

A witness said he saw a man leaving in a hurry from the building on a motorcycle shortly after he heard what sounded like a gunshot. In Putrajaya, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak called on the public to cooperate with the police to solve the murder. “I am saddened and shocked by the news and on behalf of the Government I express our condolences to Krishnasamy's family,” said Najib. He said the police had briefed him and said they would speed up investigations to determine the motive of the killing. 

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu also expressed shock over Krishnasamy's death. “We have lost a strong and capable leader. I regret the loss of a very hardworking leader who has done a lot for the Malaysian Indian community,” he said. Samy Vellu, who is Works Minister, said Krishnasamy was a close friend, a hard worker and a high performer in politics. “He maintained his constituency well and was constantly in touch with the grassroots members. His death will be a great loss to the community,” he said. 

In Johor Baru, Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman expressed shock over the incident and conveyed his condolences to Krishnasamy's family. Abdul Ghani described Krishnasamy as a good assemblyman who was committed to his work and serving the public. 

State MIC chairman Datuk K.S. Balakrishnan, who was also scheduled to attend the meeting at the MIC headquarters, described the death as a big loss to MIC. State MCA acting chief Tan Kok Hong said Krishnasamy was a good fried. “I have known him since 1995 and we had a good working relationship,” said Tan. Pengkalan Rinting assemblyman Low Teh Hian said Krishnasamy always sat beside him during the state assembly sessions.  “He cared for people of all races. Money was always allocated to Chinese schools and temples in his constituency,” he said.  

State Wanita Umno chief Halimah Sadique said Krishnasamy was an outstanding leader and his death was a great loss for the Mersing constituency. “Whenever we had election campaigns, we could see that he was well-loved by the people,” she said when conveying her condolences to Krishnasamy’s family on behalf of the state Wanita Umno. 

Abdullah shocked, condemns killing

source

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has expressed shock over the murder of Tenggaroh state assemblyman Datuk S. Krishnasamy in Johor Baru this afternoon, and described it as a cruel and despicable act. 

He said he wanted the perpetrators of the crime to be brought to justice swiftly."I am shocked and saddened by the killing of Datuk Krishnasamy. This is a cruel and despicable act," he told Bernama."I also wish to express my condolences to Datuk Krishnasamy's family." he added.

In Putrajaya, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak extended his condolences to the family of the late Krishnasamy. Najib called on everyone to co-operate with the police and not speculate over the incident. "I have been told by the inspector-general of police that every effort is being made to track down the killer," he said. Najib said although this was not the first time that an elected representative had been shot dead, it was not a culture. "We have to establish why this happened. We want to establish the motive."

Samy Vellu: We have lost a warrior

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KUALA LUMPUR: MIC leaders are shocked and outraged over the brutal slaying of MIC Johor deputy chief Datuk S. Krishnasamy.

Krishnasamy, 61, who was also the Tenggaroh state assemblyman, was at the Johor MIC headquarters to attend a meeting when unidentified gunmen shot him at close range while he was in the lift. Krishnasamy died shortly after the incident yesterday afternoon.

MIC president and Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, who was in India attending the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2008 meeting, expressed shock over the murder. "I am saddened by his sudden death. Such incidents should never have taken place," Samy Vellu said in a statement.
 

"We have lost a warrior who fights for the people. Krishnasamy was a capable and dedicated leader. "He was also a personal friend and he had always been a people's person," said Samy Vellu. In extending his condolences to Krishnasamy's family, Samy Vellu said he was leaving it to the police to investigate the killing.

MIC vice-president Datuk S. Veerasingam condemned the incident as ruthless and inhumane.  "This is not the first time such an incident, involving an MIC member, had taken place. I do not understand why such things happen," said Veerasingam.

Putera MIC leader P. Kamalanathan, who was also a personal friend of the victim, said Krishnasamy was one of the most vocal politicians who had championed youth programmes in the party and in Johor. "He had always supported the MIC education bureau by voicing education-related matters and took a personal interest in helping deserving youth to succeed," said Kamalanathan.

Krishnasamy, a former contractor, had been actively involved in politics since 1995 and won the rural state seat of Tenggaroh for three terms.  He was also a member of the MIC central working committee. Krishnasamy is survived by his wife, N. Sornavalli, and four children.

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MIUP a sleeping tiger?

January 11th, 2008
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Well, I’ll be the crouching dragon then 🙂 Come on la…what is this? Talking like in tamil movies. If this party is really serious, please come up with the manifesto and plans. Already more than 47 days since launching, and nothing other than lot of air. Even Hindraf which organised the rally on the same day as MIUP launch are planning for second one and have created a mental revolution in Indians. What is MIUP doing? Where’s the website? Where’s the press conference? Election coming soon, what’s your stand and opinion? I think PKR no need to waste time with this party. Better concentrate on election, which is bread and butter issue for politicians.

The issue started with MIUP president Nalla’s verbal assault on Anwar, followed by PKR Gobalakrishnan replying to Nalla. Not satisfied with that, more PKR leaders jumped on Nalla.

MIUP: Don’t awaken ‘sleeping tiger’
http://malaysiakini.com/news/76959
Syed Jaymal Zahiid | Jan 11, 08 6:35pm
Fledgling Indian-based party MIUP said they are ready for a debate with rival party PKR about issues concerning the Indian community.Newly formed Indian-based Malaysian Indian United Party (MIUP) said they would gladly accept rival Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s (PKR) challenge to debate on issues concerning the Indian Malaysian community.

“Don’t awaken the sleeping tiger. If KS Nallakarupan (MIUP’s president) is to debate on the issues of the Indian community, be sure that PKR will be defeated,” said the party’s vice-president R Jagathisvaran at a press conference held Nallakarupan’s house at the exclusive residential area of Bukit Tunku in Kuala Lumpur today.

The statement was made following an ongoing war of words between the MIUP president and PKR leaders since last week, both accusing each other of sly political maneuvering to rake in the votes from the Indian Malaysian community.

Jagathisvaran said that MIUP had ‘a team of more than capable people’ and is prepared to confront PKR and debate on the positions of Indian Malaysians in this country.

MIUP Deputy President S Arumugam, who was present at the press conference, said his president could issue a ‘list of sacrifices’ that he (Nallakarupan) had made in the name of the Indian Malaysian community during his tenure as MIC Deputy Youth Chief.

“Can S Manickavasagam of PKR, the person whom demanded that my president come up with a list of sacrifices that he has made for the Indian Malaysian community, do the same?” asked Arumugam.

“He (Manickavasigam) is merely a supreme council member of PKR. He has no credentials whatsoever to mount that kind of challenge against MIUP’s president,” said Arumugam.

Political ambitions

Jagathisvaran, however, said the MIUP leadership would only answer calls for a debate if PKR President Wan Azizah Ismail and her husband, party advisor Anwar Ibrahim, themselves issued a the challenge.

As for the accusation by PKR leaders that Nallakarupan was only exploiting the issues facing the Indian Malaysian community for political ends, Jagathisvaran said, “Why not?”

The MIUP vice-president said his president’s political ambitions had prompted him to make his various sacrifices for the interests of the Indian Malaysian community.

“Is PKR a party without any political ambition? If that is the case than it is a sad chapter for Malaysian politics,” said Jagathisvaran.

Arumugam , meanwhile, claimed that PKR’s ‘uncalled for’ attack on his party was caused by the latter’s frustration over the fact that Nallakarupan had left PKR to form MIUP.

He said PKR’s criticisms had been sparked by the fact that MIUP had sworn to support for the Barisan Nasional-led government and the leadership of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

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Penang Hindu Endowment Board under attack

January 11th, 2008
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Political meddling in Penang Hindu temples
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/76923
Athi Veeranggan | Jan 11, 08 10:46am

A Hindu organisation has taken the Penang Hindu Endowments Board to task for acting beyond its jurisdiction and becoming a political tool of the MIC and Gerakan.

The United Hindu Religious Council (UHRC) president S Mugunthan alleged that the board's nine commissioners were appointed yearly based on their political affiliation rather than their knowledge on Hinduism and administrative skills.

He said that the political-based appointment for the board's commissioner position had become a norm since the 1980's.

"It is obvious that the present commissioners were appointed due to their political allegiance with certain parties or leaders notably the MIC and Gerakan,” he said.

Sources close to the endowments board told Malaysiakini that MIC president and Works Minister S Samy Vellu and Gerakan president and Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon were the most powerful influence behind the appointment of the commissioners.

The source revealed that MIC and Gerakan had been using the commissioners’ position as a political gift to their local leaders.

The present chairman of the endowments board is the state MIC deputy chairperson and executive councillor PK Subbaiyah.

Over the past 20 years or so, many commissioners were appointed from political ranks of MIC and Gerakan.

"This is unwarranted," added Mugunthan.

The statutory powers

Under the Section 3(1) of the Hindu Endowment Ordinance 1906, the state governor on the advice of the state executive council shall appoint a board of commissioners, in which one of whom shall be a government officer.

Under Section 6 of the HEO, the board of commissioners shall appoint an endowment management committee consisting members of public professing the religion applicable to the endowment.

UHRC deputy president K Suppayah, who was appointed as assistant secretary to the commissioner board for more than 20 years (1970-1993), said there was no provision under the ordinance that empowered the board to appoint the management committees to manage any Hindu temples, organise Hindu religious festivals, govern tanneer panthals (refreshment sheds), collect donations and charge devotees with prayer fees of any form.

"The board is only a trustee of Hindu endowments of five temples," he said, while stressing that he had clarified the matter with the Attorney-General Chambers.

At present Hindu endowments belonging to the Waterfall hilltop Sri Balathandayuthabani Kovil , Sri Ramar Kovil in Dhoby Ghaut, Sri Kunj Bihari Krishan Mandir, Lebuh Queen's Sri Maha Mariamman Kovil and Butterworth Sri Maha Mariamman Kovil come under the jurisdiction of the endowments board.

Although it's merely a board of trustees to safeguard and manage the endowments of the five Hindu temples, the statutory body has, however transformed itself into a religious authority to appoint, control and dictate the management committees of the five temples, religious festivals and tanneer panthals (refreshment sheds).

"This clearly contravenes Article 11 of the Federal Constitution which was unambiguous that the government shall not handle religious affairs pertaining to religions other than Islam.

"Since the board is a statutory body, it shall not encroach into Hindu religious affairs," said Suppayah, while adding that the management of the five temples should be left to Hindu public, especially Hindu organisations.

Legal action possible

If the letter of law were to be enforced strictly, the board had no powers to manage temples, interfere in organising of the Thaipusam or Chitra Paruvam festivals and tanneer panthals.

As such, the board would have no authority to stop tanneer panthals from playing their own music during the Thaipusam festival and install a 3km-long single public address system between the Waterfall hilltop temple in Jalan Air Terjun and the Jalan Brown – Jalan Utama.

It also cannot impose charges on devotees for prayers of any form at the five temples.

Technically and ideally, said Suppayah, either existing Hindu organisations shall be allowed or new independent organisations shall be registered to manage each of the temples and organise religious festivals and functions associated with the temples.

"However, the board has now usurped a non-existent power by directly interfering with Hindu religious," he said.

Mugunthan said his council would carry out awareness campaign on the real position and powers of the endowments board since many Hindus were either ignorant and naive about the whole issue.

He did not rule out legal redress on the issue to stop the board from overstepping its judicial boundary thus committing unlawful acts.

"We have to take court action to right the wrong then we will do it," he said.

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Samy Vellu blasted by other Malaysian participants

January 10th, 2008
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Samy blasted for 'lies and half-truths'
http://malaysiakini.com/news/76916
K Kabilan | Jan 10, 08 4:49pm

Several Malaysian participants at a just concluded annual meeting of the Indian diaspora in New Delhi have expressed disappointment with the 'lies and half-truths' of MIC president S Samy Vellu on the Indian community’s plight in Malaysia.

They are dismayed with Samy Vellu, who is also the works minister, for portraying a positive picture of the Indian Malaysians’ plight to the other participants of the 'Pravasi Bharatiya Divas'. 

The two-day conference, which ended yesterday, attracted thousands of people of Indian origin to the Indian capital.

“He was asked by everyone here as to what is happening to the Indians in Malaysia. On every occasion he told them that everything was fine and that we are doing very well,” said S Nadarajah, a Kuala-Lumpur-based management consultant who attended the meeting in his personal capacity to represent the ‘India Baru‘ (community members with a new awareness).

“He told the participants and the Indian media that there were no cases of the Indian community being marginalised in Malaysia. He kept repeating these lies and half-truths throughout the meeting,” he told Malaysiakini today.

Nadarajah also said that Samy Vellu had played down the impact created by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), stating that the movement was only interested in 'creating trouble'.

“He refused to acknowledge that Hindraf had managed to create some awareness among the Indian community in Malaysia,” added Nadarajah, who is still in New Delhi.

Samy’s angry interview

Samy Vellu, who led a 70-member delegation from Malaysia, which included several MIC leaders and local businessmen, was a guest speaker in one plenary session and had various other speaking engagements and media interviews throughout the conference.

He was also constantly mobbed by the Indian media who were keen to find out about the true situation of the Indian community in this country. In several media interviews, Samy Vellu had said that the Indian community was not being marginalised and that they were 'misled' by Hindraf.

Yesterday, in an interview on TV3, he also lashed out at several Malaysians who were eager to dispute him in New Delhi.

“Here I am telling the Indians that we are all doing well and that the Indian community in Malaysia is well taken care of and yet there are some individuals who rebut me by stating the opposite,” he told TV3.

He even named Nadarajah as one such person, claiming that he (Nadarajah) was a PPP member who had deviated from BN principles by attacking the government in India.

Nadarajah denied today that he was a PPP member. This was confirmed by PPP as well.

“I am here on my own. I am not a PPP member. And there is nothing wrong in telling the world the truth about how the Indian Malaysians are being neglected,” he said.

“If Samy Vellu thinks he can get away with his lies by turning the table against me, he is very wrong. I might even sue him for defaming me,” he added.

MIC’s misleading booklet

Another Malaysian participant said that the MIC was on a campaign in New Delhi to portray a completely wrong picture.

“They have distributed a 20-page colour booklet to all participants here on the wonderful living conditions of the Indians in Malaysia,” he said, adding that the booklet had glaringly left out so many issues involving the community.

“MIC proudly claims to be the sole custodian of the Indian community in Malaysia in the booklet. Who gave them that right? After all, it is the failure of MIC and Samy Vellu which is the root cause of the Indian community’s problems today,” added the KL-based entrepreneur.

Speaking on behalf of several other like-minded individuals, the participant also accused Samy Vellu of misinforming the Indian media.

“When the rest of us are asked about the plight of the community, we tell them the situation as it is. We tell them what Hindraf is and what happened during the Nov 25 rally. We tell them that there are areas which the Indians have been ignored by the government,” added the businessman.

He said that when Samy Vellu spoke to the Indian media, he merely brushed aside these issues and would keep repeating that the Indians in Malaysia are doing well.

“His often repeated mantra is that the government is doing all that it can to help the community, that the MIC is the sole representative of the community and that Hindraf is an irrelevant force,” he said.

Duty bound to defend

Makkal Osai‘s assistant news editor SV Muthamilmannan, who is in New Delhi for the conference, said that Malaysian participants were a hot favourite among the Indian media.

“The journalists were not just after Samy Vellu but were also interested in knowing the real situation from non-political Malaysian participants,” he told Malaysiakini.

“Some of these participants were blunt with their assessment while there were others who used the Indian media to send a message that it was time for Samy Vellu to go.

“Generally they told about how economically poor the community was and how it was being pushed further down,” he added.

The Indian newspapers and television stations have given Samy Vellu a good coverage and to balance it up, they have also given his critics some coverage too, added the veteran journalist.

A MIC leader in the Samy Vellu entourage explained that his boss was duty-bound by BN and government principles to defend the government’s records in the international arena.

“Personally, he might feel otherwise but he can never say it out in the open as he is part of the government and he has to stand by the government,” said the leader who requested anonymity.

“He is doing his duty in explaining to the Indian government and others here that the MIC is taking good care of the community. At the same time, what many don’t realise is that on the ground, the party is working very hard to address all the community’s issues,” he said.

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indian universities invited by samy vellu

January 10th, 2008
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Set up branches in Malaysia, Indian universities urged

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NEW DELHI: Indian universities have been urged to open branches in Malaysia to attract local and foreign students. 

In making the proposal, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the universities could second their academic staff to the centres in Malaysia. “They have the best educational experts and this could be put to better use as many Malaysians wanting to further their studies in India are put off by the high cost of education. “The fees for the degree courses would be more reasonable if there were branches in Malaysia,” he told reporters on the second day of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. 

Samy Vellu said Indian students currently studying in the campuses in India could also opt to study in Malaysian branches. He said Malaysian students could also be sent on attachment in the institutions in India. 

He said the MIC-owned Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology (AIMST) had received a proposal for a tie-up with an Indian management institute to offer business administration courses in Sungai Petani. “The institute will set up its branch at the AIMST campus and provide the three-year degree course,” he said. Samy Vellu said there were already applications from 150 students from India to attend the course.  

Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Man-mohan Singh said India had approved the policy framework for setting up the People of Indian Origin (PIO) university. He said the university for children of overseas Indians would be established in a public-private partnership with active participation of credible overseas Indian trusts or societies. “The university will have the autonomy and flexibility in the disciplines that it offers and in its academic governance. There have been a few proposals and a final decision is expected soon,” he said in his opening speech at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on Tuesday. He said the work on the university was expected to commence this year.

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