Posts Tagged ‘Politicians’

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Medical seats in AIMST for students from India

January 9th, 2009
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


Yeah, I’m all for international and bilateral cooperations. But aren’t we having shortage of doctors locally? How nice if those extra places are given to local Indians (provided they are qualified, of course) before being opened to those from India (or any other country for the matter). Perhaps its part of the strategy to increase the standing of AIMST by having international students. Or its just plain profit seeking plan.

CHENNAI (India): The MIC-owned Aimst University has been given the approval to recruit 100 students from India to study medicine.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the Ministry of Higher Education gave the approval to recruit foreign students for the medical degree recently.

This is in addition to the existing 200 seats for Malaysians studying at the university, he told reporters here yesterday.

Samy Vellu, who is the founder of the university, is leading a 150-member delegation to the inaugural World Tamils Economic conference and the annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conference.

“We have decided to provide the opportunity for South Indian students to pursue the medical course at the university,” he said.

Samy Vellu said the South Indian students would study in Malaysia and undergo clinical training at a reputable private hospital in Coimbatore.

“We are in talks with the hospital to make the arrangement,” he said, adding that the students would return to Malaysia for their final year and would receive their degree after graduation.

Samy Vellu said he would be going to Coimbatore to have a final discussion with the private hospital, as well as to discuss about the recognition of the medical degree with the Indian Medical Council.

Comments Off on Medical seats in AIMST for students from India »

Posted in Indian

Tags:

Hudud splits Pakatan

January 9th, 2009
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


Well well well, Anwar’s support for Hudud law for Muslims only creates a storm for DAP, especially Karpal Singh.

PKR will not reject outright PAS’ plan to implement hudud law, said its de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He also dismissed Karpal Singh’s remark that such legislation was unconstitutional, saying that the DAP chairman was making a general statement.

He said there was no need to reject the proposal as it was only applicable to Muslims.

What was needed, said Anwar, was an in depth discussion among Pakatan Rakyat partners on contentious issues which had resurfaced following a debate between PAS vice-president Datuk Husam Musa and Umno Youth deputy head Khairy Jamaluddin.

“Hudud is not something new. There is allocation for it in Islam. This is what PAS has been saying all along, that it is solely for the Muslims,” he told reporters after launching the PKR main operation room for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election yesterday.

According to Anwar, all opposition parties understood Islam and that its legislative aspects should not just be confined to Syariah family or civil law.

Describing himself as a practising Muslim, Anwar stressed there was no blanket answer on hudud and that he would not emulate what former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad did, which was to oppose and reject outright hudud law when PAS first proposed it without fully understanding the issue.

He said detailed discussions on the issue could clear the air.

He also urged all dissenting voices to study the specific proposal and its provisions closely before opening their mouths.

TV3 Nightline showed a press statement from Karpal who claimed that for Hudud to be implemented, the status of country should changed to islamic state. However, since Malaysia is secular (well actually its neither there nor here), implementing Hudud is unconstitutional. Malaysiakini extract below:

PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim’s statement that people should not worry about PAS’ intention to implement hudud laws as it would only be applicable to Muslims, was today called a fallacy by DAP stalwart Karpal Singh.

He said this was because Anwar’s statement was “diametrically opposed to PAS’ avowed aim to turn Malaysia into an Islamic state” which Karpal believes would also mean the indiscriminate implementation of hudud laws.

“This has been PAS’ stand from its inception as is clearly reflected by the statements by former and present leaders of PAS.

“In fact, (PAS spiritual leader) Nik Aziz is on record to have said on Dec 22 last year that PAS would implement hudud laws with or without the support of DAP and PKR,” said Karpal in a statement today.

Both News Straits Times and The Star on Dec 23 reported on Nik Aziz’ persistence that his party would pursue the implementation of hudud laws even without the support of its other Pakatan Rakyat coalition members.

He was also quoted as saying that he could not understand why DAP was rejecting hudud laws when he believed they were similar to western laws.

“In light of this statement, there is a fallacy in Anwar’s assertion that hudud laws would only be applicable to Muslims,” Karpal reasoned.

“The pre-requisite of implementing hudud laws is the setting up of an Islamic state and as such, it is wrong for Anwar to imply that the implementation of hudud laws would not affect everyone including the non-Muslims.

“It is important for Anwar to know exactly what PAS intends to do in calling for the setting up of an Islamic state,” Karpal added.

… Meanwhile, Karpal said PAS president Hadi Awang should clear the air as to whether hudud laws were intended to be made applicable to both Muslims and non-Muslims in the event PAS succeeded in setting up an Islamic state.

“In the public interest, he should do so,” said the veteran DAP leader.

Nevertheless, Karpal reiterated DAP’s stand that the country is not an Islamic state and that the implementation of hudud laws would be “unconstitutional”.

Looks like Pakatan had fallen into BN’s trap.

For me, even though they claim Hudud will be only for muslims, sooner or later it will start to interfere in everybody’s lives. That’s inevitable since the nature of their religion is intrusive (my opinion). As it is, we have lots of problem with syariah laws and implementation by the relevant departments.
Having hudud will mean a death trap of sorts for the rest of malaysians people. Personally, i think even the more liberal muslims will not support it. imagine those famous personalities can’t wear strapless gowns at high class dinners. Muslim college students have to cover up (i still having shock over the way some of them dress at a certain uni in cyberjaya – MAIS officers will have a good time there), mat rempits having their body parts chopped off if found guilty of robbing (ok, i’m over-reacting here!).

2 comments »

Posted in BornInMalaysia, Religion

Tags:

Showdown in India

January 7th, 2009
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


This Bernama article appeared in both Star and NST. I liked the title. Sounds like a movie title ( remember Showdown in Little Tokyo, Big Trouble in Little China, or Rumble in the Bronx?)

Rumours are abound that a new party to represent Indian may be proposed especially with HINDRAF as the backbone. Also, Manikavasagam said that there will be discussion on efforts to release the ISA detainees.

Whatever it is, we can be assured that all those going will pull out all stops to gain maximum coverage in newspapers. They will try to gain as much airtime as possible.

Malaysian Indian ‘showdown’ in Chennai
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Indian political leaders from both sides of the country’s political divide are heading to Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu in India this week to attend a conference which is likely to be an explosive affair.

Malaysian Indian political leaders from the MIC, DAP and PKR are heading for the southern Indian city to attend the three-day Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, better known as the Indian Diaspora Conference, starting Wednesday at the Chennai Trade Centre.

The event will also be attended by representatives of the outlawed Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu will lead a 150-member delegation comprising top brass and divisional leaders of the Barisan Nasional component party.

“We would first attend the World Tamil Conference on Jan 6, also in Chennai. The next day would be the Pravasi. We would attend that too before flying back on Jan 10,” he told Bernama.

The DAP would send a 20-member delegation, led by Penang Deputy Chief Minister P. Ramasamy.

This is the first time in the conference’s history that Malaysian opposition parties are attending the Pravasi held in a state where the majority of Malaysian Indians originated from.

Ramasamy’s delegation, it was reported, would consist of Perak state executive councillor A. Sivanesan and Selangor state executive councillor Xavier Jayakumar.

PKR, meanwhile, would be sending a 40-member delegation.

Kapar Member of Parliament S. Manikavasagam, who recently created a controversy by threatening to quit the opposition party, said the delegation would comprise politicians and businessmen.

A check on the Pravasi website revealed that Malaysia would have four speakers: Samy Vellu, Ramasamy, Malaysian Human Rights (Suhakam) Commissioner Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria and Human Resource Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, who is also the MIC secretary general.

After each speaker has delivered his address, the floor would be given at least 15 minutes to seek explanations from the speaker, and this is where trouble is expected.

An opposition leader who declined to be named said the opposition delegation was expected to question MIC leaders on the state of affairs of Indians in the country since the party was from the Barisan Nasional, the ruling coalition.

“Well, we have an opportunity to question them directly. We do not have the opportunity here, so I feel they would take whatever chance they have to question the MIC leaders,” he said.

To top it all, Hindraf chief P. Wathyamoorthy, who is now living in a self-imposed exile in London, is expected to attend the event with several supporters from Malaysia. — Bernama

Comments Off on Showdown in India »

Posted in Indian

Tags:

Terror At SJKT Ladang Vallambrosa

January 5th, 2009
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


The was a big a commotion today at SJKT Ladang Vallambrosa. The school was forced to start double session this year due to increased student intake and lack of fund from the government. The school HM has been practically begging for extra tables and chairs, but all felt to deaf years. I remember the HM grumbling about lack of furniture last year itself. He was asking for donations to get some chairs.

The dual session did not go down well with some of the parents who claimed that this was a major hassle and extra expenses for them.

Someone also brought a printed copy of a document from the Internet which showed that a large amount of money was allocated to the school from government via JKR for construction work. But the person(s) claimed the construction was not worth the amount of money allocated. They accused the HM of corruption.

Oh ya, Makkal Sakthi people were there as well, lending their voice and energy.

So, some parents (allegedly) came with some local Kapar folks armed with parangs to threaten the HM. They smashed his car as well at the school. Police, PPD staff and Kapar MP Manikavasagam can attest to this. They were all there today.

Even the PPD staff were not spared and hurled with abusive words.

Manikavasagam on his part said he will look into this problem within a month.

Well, I know the HM personally for more than 4 years now, being related in a way. Nice guy, a HM who sent his kids to Tamil school unlike some HMs. He has the kids welfare in his mind all the time.

Word is that some troublemakers (PTA? ex-PTA? unhappy parents?) are out to cause problems. If they really got guts, take it up with the PPD, PPN, MOE, JKR, and Samy Vellu.

In the meantime, since parents oppose the dual session, the students can study in the canteen or under some trees.

Note: The above was narated via telephone by HM’s wife.

Update 6/1/08 – parang and police were not found at scene.

1 comment »

Posted in Indian, Tamil-Schools

Tags:

Samy has another tantrum

December 30th, 2008
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


Not too long ago, Samy was unhappy with the audience at the MIC general assembly eve dinner. More recently, he lashed out at party members during a dinner at the Klang Executive Club attended by 140 Klang and Kapar MIC members. Samy was unhappy with the members who were not paying attention to his speech (perhaps it was the same old stories or the food was delicious)

They were said to have been too busy eating and walking around, and after giving them a piece of his mind, Samy Vellu told those present to “eat first” and returned to his seat.

He returned to the rostrum 30 minutes later and said he would cut short his speech.

It did not end there. Samy also questioned a photographer from Makkal Osai who was busy taking his pictures. The photographer’s camera were later taken away and the pictures were erased. A female staff of Makkal Osai was also threatened by MIC member not to report the incident.

Malaysiakini provides more details:

The photographer  told Malaysiakini that the newspaper had been invited to cover Samy Vellu’s meeting last night with some 140 leaders of the Kapar and Klang MIC branches, at the Klang Executive Club.

On arrival about 7.30pm, the two began covering the event. About 9.30pm, during dinner, Samy Vellu began delivering a speech, only to notice that the crowd not listening to him.

“Samy Vellu went back to his seat, to allow them to continue eating. He later stood up to deliver his speech but the people still not attentive. So he ended his speech about 9.58pm.

“As he was leaving the venue, he was angry. He was scolding the branch leaders for not showing him respect. He was angry because people had left their seats and were walking about, instead of listening to him.”

The photographer said he was recording all this when Samy Vellu spotted him and asked which newspaper he represents.

“I told him ‘Makkal Osai’ and he immediately seized my camera and gave it to a MIC senator. Samy Vellu told him to delete the pictures. (When it was returned to me) about half of my pictures were gone,” he alleged.

“Samy Vellu continued to verbally abuse me and my newspaper, saying we should not be there and that we had not been invited. I told him we had been invited by a branch leader.”

The photographer said he and the journalist continued to suffer verbal abuse and threats from Samy Vellu as they were leaving the premises.

“His bodyguard approached me and warned against reporting the matter in the newspapers. He said that if we do so, ‘you are finished’.”

The duo then decided to lodge separate police reports, as they feared for their safety.

“We were only doing our job and yet Samy Vellu resorted to such irresponsible behaviour,” said the photographer.

He also said the incident happened in front of those invited, leaving the journalist and himself feeling “very humiliated”.

Wonder what’s happening with MIC members. Tired of listening to same old stories?  Perhaps they are all new members who are part of the rebranding exercise?

5 comments »

Posted in Indian

Tags: