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MIC focuses on jobs and homes

December 27th, 2007
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Typical election scenario. After waiting for 35 years, their problem can be solved within days!. All the best to the Rumah Hijau settlers. Hopefully others with problems will take advantage of the situation and make use of the politicians to settle their housing employment, education, welfare and other issues. This is the time. Make hay while the sun shines!
MIC focuses on jobs and homes

By Chong Chee Seong and Mohd Roji Abdullah
news@nst.com.my

MUAR: Addressing problems such as housing and employment are among key points highlighted by MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu during his current nationwide meet-the-Indian community roadshow. 

The works minister and his party leaders are working hard to solve the problems of the Indian community, particularly among those who supported the Hindu Rights Action Force's campaign.

"We chose places where the group got its support from. Recently, we held meetings in Teluk Intan (Perak), Kulim (Kedah) and Penang where we knew some of the Hindraf supporters came from. "We explained to them what we have done for the community and what we will continue to do," Samy Vellu said at the opening of the refurbished Pagoh rest area at Km135.5 of the North-South Expressway here yesterday.

He said MIC had mobilised its machinery to go to the grassroots to listen and find ways to solve the woes of the Indian community.

"If the problems cannot be solved by the party, I will refer them to the cabinet for a decision," he added.

One of the problems to be resolved is the issue of 350 Indian families in Penang who have been waiting for houses promised to them some 35 years ago. The group staying at the Rumah Hijau resettlement longhouse area was promised new houses but have yet to see any project implemented. They moved out from their area years ago to make way for the Mak Mandin industrial area project in Prai. Samy Vellu said he had written to Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon over the delay and he would meet him to resolve the matter.

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mic youth says problems not critical

December 27th, 2007
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"gave an assurance that these issues, which include housing and unemployment, would be resolved within a month"

Wow! That's super fast!

Problems not 'critical'

source

IPOH: Problems faced by the Indian community are localised and not at a critical level as claimed by Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) and the opposition.

MIC Youth chief S.A. Vigneswaran, who described the problems as "not critical", gave an assurance that these issues, which include housing and unemployment, would be resolved within a month.

For a start, he said that data on the number of unemployed Indians would be compiled and submitted to the government.

MIC Youth had identified these problems and issues during its one-week nationwide tour to explain to the community the political situation in the country and issues affecting the community. "It's not that they (Indian community) are not happy with Pak Lah (Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) or (Datuk Seri) Samy Vellu but the opposition has taken advantage of the situation by identifying these issues and blowing them out of proportion," he said on Tuesday.

Vigneswaran also said apart from the MIC, youth wings from the People's Progressive Party, Gerakan and Indian Progressive Front would be mobilised to go to the grassroots and help compile data on problems affecting the Indian community. "We admit that there might be some dissatisfaction but they must realise that only the Barisan Nasional government can help solve these problems."

On whether the support for the government has weakened in view of recent developments, he warned the Indian community not to gamble away their future by voting for the opposition in the general election.

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subashini to get court decision

December 26th, 2007
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Tha article has stated 3 possible outcome:

1. The court may decide against Subashini on technical grounds – over the date of Subashini's divorce petition which was within three months of her husband's conversion date.

According to the law, the petition should be filed three months after the conversion date. Subashini argued that she was not aware of the date of her husband’s conversion. If so, the case will be thrown out and lawyers can choose to file her divorce petition again.

2. The court may decide against Subashini on substantive grounds – that the Syariah Court has jurisdiction and orders her to take her case there. This effectively rules that civil courts have no say in conversion cases especially after syariah proceedings have commenced.

3. The court may decide for Subashini – she will get remedy in civil courts, her husband may not proceed further in syariah courts and he has to go back to civil courts because their marriage was originally solemnised under civil law.

The easy way out is to take option 1 and buy more time. The action that will please the non-muslims will be option 3, while the action that will please the muslims will be option 2. What is the govt going to do?

Will the rally help subashini?

Thursday date for Subashini decision
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/76388
Soon Li Tsin | Dec 26, 07 10:56am

The fate of whether an Indian Hindu wife can seek justice in the civil courts – despite her Islam-convert husband initiating divorce proceeding in the syariah courts – will be known tomorrow.

The Federal Court – the country’s highest court – will announce their decision three months after lawyers from both sides of the controversial case made their final arguments.

The three-member panel comprising justices Nik Hashim Nik Ab Rahman, Abdul Aziz Mohamad and Azmel Ma'amor will decide whether the civil or syariah court is more authoritative on the issue of divorce when one spouse converts to Islam – an issue that has been a long-standing moot point in the trial.

Subashini, 28, is trying to stop her 31-year-old husband, T Saravanan – a Hindu who has converted to Islam and assumed the name Muhammad Shafi Saravanan Abdullah – from taking their divorce and custody proceedings to the Syariah Court.

Saravanan converted in May 2006 along with their eldest son, Dharvin Joshua, 4. The husband then launched proceedings in the Islamic syariah court for divorce as well as custody of their second son, Sharvin, 2.

During her appeal to the lower Court of Appeal on March 13, justices Suriyadi Halim Omar and Hassan Lah – who made the majority 2-1 decision – told her to take her case before the Syariah Court instead, while justice Gopal Sri Ram dissented.

According to the majority decision, the injunction sought by Subashini was unnecessary because the Syariah Court is competent enough decide on the matter.

However, on March 30, Subashini was granted an interim injunction by the Court of Appeal restraining Saravanan from pursuing his claims in the Islamic court.

The injunction also effectively restrained him from converting their youngest son to Islam and from pursuing his custody claims in the Syariah Court.

It was also held in the landmark ruling that a Muslim could apply to the Islamic court to convert his or her underage children without permission from the non-Muslim spouse.

Three possible outcomes

There are three likely possible outcomes from the Federal Court tomorrow:

1. The court may decide against Subashini on technical grounds – over the date of Subashini's divorce petition which was within three months of her husband's conversion date.

According to the law, the petition should be filed three months after the conversion date. Subashini argued that she was not aware of the date of her husband’s conversion. If so, the case will be thrown out and lawyers can choose to file her divorce petition again.

2. The court may decide against Subashini on substantive grounds – that the Syariah Court has jurisdiction and orders her to take her case there. This effectively rules that civil courts have no say in conversion cases especially after syariah proceedings have commenced.

3. The court may decide for Subashini – she will get remedy in civil courts, her husband may not proceed further in syariah courts and he has to go back to civil courts because their marriage was originally solemnised under civil law.

Aftershocks from Joy

This decision will be the second time the apex court is to decide on a matter involving the vexing issue of religious freedom.

Previously, the Federal Court held that the jurisdiction on issues concerning a Muslim who wants to convert to another religion lies with the Syariah Court.

In the landmark judgment by former chief justice Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim, Lina Joy was held to remained a Muslim and her religious status cannot be removed from her identity card.

Born an ethnic Malay Muslim, and called Azlina Jailani, Joy was introduced to Christianity in 1990.

It has left her fighting authorities, first for her new name to be put on her identity card, then to have her former religion removed.

The controversial judgment has left the nation divided over one's freedom of religion as enshrined in Article 11 of the Federal Constitution.

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mic, ppp, and ipf youth’s first ever joint meeting

December 25th, 2007
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When the going gets tough, the tough get going. When seeing the situation is bad, these fellows are now going into action mode. Where all these is mere acting, only time will tell.

Youth wings to tackle community’s woes

source

KUALA LUMPUR: The youth wings of the MIC, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and Indian Progressive Front (IPF) sat down together for the first time yesterday to discuss and join hands in tackling problems faced by the Indian community. 

At the meeting chaired by MIC Youth chief S.A. Vigneswaran, they decided to form committees at division, state and national level to address the issues of temples, Tamil schools and job opportunities in the civil service. 

“Any problem which cannot be resolved will be brought to the attention of MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu to bring it to the Cabinet,” he said after the two-hour meeting. 

PPP youth chief T. Murugiah and IPF youth chief R. Ravishankar were also present. 

“The opposition parties are saying that we have not done anything but who is responsible for the benefits enjoyed by the community for the past 50 years? 

“It is MIC with the support of PPP and the IPF who had fought and obtained land for temples and Tamil schools,” he said. 

Vigneswaran said opposition parties like the DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat were using these issues to woo Indian votes. 

“The issue is not really who cares or does good for the community. I believe the Indians will not be hoodwinked by such tactics.” 

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Temple report task for MIC bad idea

December 25th, 2007
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Star, NST, and MK all highlighted the task given to MIC by PM, no less, to:
– look into the status of all Hindu temples
– submit a report on these temples to the cabinet periodically
– continuously monitor all temple
– submit to PM a list of temple that may be demolished due to various reason

 MIC will:
– go around the country to prepare report on number of temples and their problems
– identify illegally built and check their status (this statement sounds very confusing. identify ILLEGAL temples and check their STATUS?)
– check if there are moves to demolish or relocate the temples
– organise meetings with temple committees
– verify temple land status
– secure land reservations in new housing development areas
– seek registration of all temples
– ensure suitable alternative site is allocated before demolishment
– ensure no temples are demolished in the future (meaning from today 24/12/2007), and if need to be demolished, to ensure proper alternative site is provided.
– make sure no temples, either legally or illegally built will be demolished without a thorough check and discussions with the MIC

Abdullah had assured that the government would provide the necessary support in resolving any matters involving temples as has been the case before.

That seems to be a tall order.

My opinion is that such a task should not be handed over to a political party, especially a de facto one that is part of the ruling body. It should be driven by a government department or a newly appointed permanent committee that consists of various representatives from religious bodies, government departments, NGOs etc. The people seemed to have lost faith in MIC. to entrust MIC with such task may backfire on BN since the people may take this as the govt not listening to them. Should MIC be given a chance to redeem themselves? MIC, having a vested interest, may cover things up to save their hides.

Or this can be seen as a ploy by BN to push the ball back to MIC to handle it, rather than taking responsibility collectively. Since MIC is the one perceived to cause all this problem, let them solve it. If they can, good. If not, BN can still win without MIC. Its a zero sum game.

So, if any more problem happens, can we blame MIC 100% and by extension blame the cabinet as well?

MIC tasked with temple relocations, demolitions
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/76374
Yoges Palaniappan | Dec 24, 07 5:05pm

MIC has been given the task to look into the status of all Hindu temples in the country and will submit a report on these temples to the cabinet.

In line with that, MIC president S Samy Vellu will travel nationwide to prepare the report on the number of Hindu temples and their problems.

This "new approach" follows a directive by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to MIC to continuously monitor all temples in the country and to submit a report on their status to the cabinet periodically.

Samy, in a media statement today, said that Abdullah had specifically wanted MIC to forward him the list of any temples that may have to be demolished for various reasons.

"As temples are sensitive matters, a new approach is necessary to resolve them and MIC will take over completely this task," said Samy, who is also the Works Minister.

"We will identify the illegally built temples first and check on their status. We want to see if there have been any moves to demolish or relocate them," he said.

He added that he had directed Federal Territory MIC chief M Saravanan and Selangor state executive councillor Kamala Ganapathy to organise meetings with temple heads in their respective states.

The long time MIC president said the meetings would have several objectives, namely to verify the status of the land where the temples were built, to secure land reservations in all new housing development areas and to seek the registration of all temples.

"What is more important is that suitable alternative sites will have to be allocated first before any temples are to be relocated," he said.

According to Samy, a meeting to be held soon in Kuala Lumpur would be attended by 780 temple heads, whereas 870 temple heads would participate in the second meeting to be held in Selangor.

Premier's assurance

He added that similar meetings would be held in other states; with the third meeting scheduled in Perak and that he would chair all the meetings.

"I will scrutinise all matters concerning temples with a view to ensure that no temples are demolished in the future and if they have to be demolished, suitable alternative sites must be allocated so that Hindus can continue to worship," he said.

"No temples, either legally or illegally built will be demolished without a thorough check and discussions with the MIC," he said, adding that Abdullah had assured that the government would provide the necessary support in resolving any matters involving temples as has been the case before.

In recent years a high number of Hindu temples have been demolished on the account of them being illegally built, causing much anger among the Indian community.

The Hindu Rights Action Force has played a vital role in defending these temples, culminating in a Nov 25 rally in Kuala Lumpur over the apparent marginalisation of the Indian community.

Since then, five leaders of the group have been detained for two years under the dreaded Internal Security Act.

Hindraf's popularity among the community in fighting for the Indian cause has come at the expense of MIC, which has for long been held as the sole Indian voice in the government.

Many segments of the community have blamed MIC for being inactive in protecting Hindu temples from being demolished.

The new approach outlined by the government for MIC to have 'powers' to protect temples now is seen as being aimed to win over the support of the community for the party.

NST:

Samy Vellu to give report on temples

KUALA LUMPUR: The prime minister has asked MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu to monitor all Hindu temples and submit a report on their status periodically.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi also wanted the MIC to forward to him and the cabinet a list of temples that might have to be demolished for various reasons.

"As the issue of temples is a sensitive matter, a new approach is necessary to resolve it and the MIC will completely take over the task," said Samy Vellu, who is also Works Minister, in a press statement.

He would travel to all states soon to prepare a report on the number of temples and their problems. "We will identify the illegally-built temples first and check on their status."

Meetings with the heads of temples in each state would be organised. The Federal Territory and Selangor meetings would be attended by 780 and 870 temple heads, respectively. It was to verify the status of the land where the temples were located, to secure land for them in all new housing areas and to seek registration for all temples.

"I will scrutinise all matters to ensure that no temples are demolished in the future or suitable alternative sites are allocated to temples that have to be demolished so that Hindus can continue to worship. "No temples, either legal or illegally built, will be demolished without a thorough check and discussions with the MIC," Samy Vellu said.

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