Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email The news below appeared over a week ago. Interesting to read the reasons given by the president. Yes, it does seem logical. On the other hands, giving the funds to established NGOs who have been involved in Tamil schools for two decades or so, also makes sense. So, which is better option.
Giving money to NGOs can help in terms of organising events on larger or coordinated scale. The NGOs have experience of conducting various events, so it will be easier. However, the downside is that the NGOs may only be focusing on areas or schools which they are familiar or comfortable with. Some schools may not have a strong PTA, thus having NGOs organising events and program will help reduce burden on PTA and teachers.
As for giving money to PTAs, I’m sure readers are aware that a number of PTAs have connections with political parties. Some do see the position in PTA as some sort channel for income for their business as caterers, contractors, printers etc. The chances of funds being misused exists, especially when the PTA people are in cohort with the school management. But on a positive side, all schools will have opportunity to do some events for themselves. Schools may most likely know what they need and can fine-tune programs to meet those requirements.
I would agree with the proposal to split the funding into two: NGOs and PTAs. This will help to cover all bases and diversify the channels. For example, state level Science Fair can be given fund under NGO category (organised by Tamil Foundation). School-level canteen day or UPSR motivation talk can receive funding via PTA.
But I’m surprised if words such as “irrelevant” is used by the PTA association in reference to EWRF or Tamil Foundation. These NGOs are well known in Tamil School environment, so “irrelevant” is an amusing choice of word.
THE Tamil Schools Parents’ Association in Selangor is demanding that the RM4mil state government allocations for Tamil schools be channelled directly to schools’ parent-teacher associations (PTAs) and not via irrelevant third parties, reports Malaysia Nanban.
Its president S. Murali said the demands would be highlighted in an eight-point memorandum to be presented to the mentri besar within the next few days.
He said the PTAs would be in a better position to manage the funds as they had first-hand information on the situation in their respective schools.
Murali said that although the Selangor Government had allocated RM4mil in annual funds last year for Tamil schools, only RM2.4mil was dispersed while the rest was channelled to three non-governmental organisations to carry out Tamil education development programmes in the state.
He suggested the state government allocate separate funding for the NGOs.
Hi MP
I think you do not understand the real story behind this issue.
There is no doubt that CHILD and EWRF have decades of track record in helping Tamil education and their contribution are immense.
However, the real issue is not the organisations which aid is channelled through or their track records.
The issue is that these two organisations are headed by Pakatan people who are close to Xavier and the manner the whole matter was handled.
Firstly Xavier as you know does not enjoy any connection or good standing in the eyes of the Indian community. He doesn’t even try to be useful or visible. You stay in Klang so you should know how active he is and what are his “contributions”. It is almost zero except for his multi-million contribution to the Church.
Secondly these NGOs are headed by pro-Pakatan people who are close to Xavier. These people are strong PKR suppporters who actively campaigned for Xavier during GE and also can be seen issuing many anti MIC statements in the Tamil press.
Thirdly, this aid is being now used as a leverage (as MIC used to in the past) to get political influence and support from the Indian community. Also this aid is only channeled to certain schools and people.
Fourthly, there are allegations that the aid has been diverted to fund other activities not related to Tamil school. One serious allegation is that the fund were used to fund churches.
Another issue in the background is just like in DAP, this is also a proxy war between various Indian factions in PKR though. Each are trying to corner the aid so they can use it for political influence.
hi killer,
welcome back!
so, you are saying there’s element of corruption happening in these NGOs? today i read that got fight in one of the PIBG meetings held recently coz some guy supported the NGO. today Rodziah is taking over the funds handling from Xavier. a black mark in Xavier’s report card.
I m not sure there is any corruption involved. It is easy for people these days to make such serious allegations without any basis.
However, even a cursory glance at the leadership of these NGOs will tell you who are these people and their relationship with Xavier and PKR.
If you want to know names, just read any news in the Tamil papers on any functions attended by Xavier and see who else were there as organisers or main guests.
My guess is that these funds are being used to build a political support and base for Xavier.
In my view there is no justification for these funds to be channeled via NGOs when these are meant for Tamil schools.
The lack of transparency on the details of how the fund was used and the opaque manner the issue was handled only made a lot of people suspicious.
agreed, easy to make allegations, not only nowadays, but any time. proving is another issue. i remember attending selangor level science fair for tamil school, and guess what, among the VIP was Xavier.
perception counts, and the NGOs tilting towards one side is not good. perhaps they are being opportunists, since now selangor under pakatan, they tilt towards pakatan. when BN/MIC was in control, they go gravitate towards them.
I will say give some funds to NGOs since they also need money to run programs. treat them like any other NGOs which also receive fund from state govts. And at the same time, give funds to PTAs which are capable of organising events. as you may know, even PTAs have alignments. Most often than not, the PTA chairperson is local leader of a party or another.
if transparency is an issue (the data on his blog is not detailed to level of individual expenses), then the NGOs should come out with statement of expenses and publish on website. simple as that. unless, there’s something to cover…
I agree that we need transparency is paramount and a lack of this would give raise to allegations.
In this case, the problem was compounded by the fact that the leaders of these NGOs are known political affiliate of Xavier even before the GE.
Also there are many other NGOs with better track record not given the same aid.
And finally (these are allegations that I heard not sure of the accuracy) that the NGOs are using the aid to “buy” political support for Xavier (personal and not for the party). So this has made even other Pakatan members angry.
This explains why the aid is now being handled by a non Indian since probably there are some truth in these allegations.
The thing is the whole issue is a humiliation to Indians. This shows Indians are unable to manage in a fair and transparent manner aid meant for their community and had to get some non Indian to ensure transparency and fairness.
BTW, if PKR talk are to be believed, Xavier will be out in the next GE. In fact quite a few of the current exco/ADUN will be out. This could be even more dramatic if Azmin manages to dislodge Khalid as the MB.
Watch out for more battles in Selangor in the coming months. It won’t be Azmin vs Khalid but between their proxies.
In fact Mike’s allegations on sand mining was one of such attacks to undermine Khalid by Azmin’s faction.
Now we have DAP and Khalid on one corner with most PKR MPs with Azmin on the other corner.
actually, the education portfolio is with Rodziah, so its just being returned to her responsibility. in fact, my amazement is that the state govt allowed someone who is not holding the portfolio (Xavier) to handle the funds. that’s the mistake in the first place.
as for the other NGOs who have better track record, maybe you can share here who they are? it will be good to know and provide wider option for public to work together.
i think selangor govt is slowly sliding downwards as you mentioned. due to internal politics, factionism, and inexperience. but they may rebound in time for GE13. if not, it will not be good for public.
MP…You are about Halimah being the exco in charge of education. However she does not handle the aid to Chinese schools but it is channelled via a few ADUNs/MPs from what I was told.
As for the Indian NGOs, I think more than most SMC has the track record and integrity in helping Tamil schools and Indian students in general. There are also some smaller and less well known NGOs active as well. As for CHILD & EWRF I appreciate their work but many of their leaders are also politicians and this could create perception problem.
SMC on the other hand, has done far more than any Indian NGO to help Indian students and they are non political.
From my experience, CHILD and EWRF tend to focus on smaller projects and not as organised or effective as SMC.
i’m not sure about the chinese school allocation. have to refer to the papers or other sources. maybe she allocates but the chinese aduns give out? however, if its true, then i too don’t agree with such move. regardless of which school, the person in charge of the portfolio must handle a-to-z. if not how to learn the problems that exist particular to each school?
SMC does have the long history and widest coverage, but their main function is having extra classes (tuition) for students (including the secondary school and sk schools). they do organise programs often, but not involved in infrastructure improvement. their main event used to be the kalvi yathirai at batu caves. anyway, not sure if they still doing that because i don’t keep in touch with them nowadays.
SMC also have close links with MIC, depending on the locations. maybe closer few years ago and more distant nowadays.
SMC is able to tap into the human resource in schools (teachers) and universities (undergrads). many ex-students return to help out with SMC.
i’ll say should put all eggs in one basket. split the fund into few NGOs and let each focus on their own distinct areas. easier to judge them.
i made a mistake earlier. the exco is dr halimah, not rodziah as i written in earlier reply.