Cabinet post : Not the solution for Indian woes

From the time Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak took over as Prime Minister he had indulged in many activities to entice the Indians back to the BN fold. He visited Batu Caves during Thaipusam,visited India and took pains to paid a courtesy call on the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, personally launched the Makkal Sakti party after the big loss of the MIC at the last elections, managed to force Samy Velu to step down as MIC president and recently appeared to have heeded the call by MIC to release of the 6 PSM leaders detained under the Emergency Ordinance. He even agreed to alter the university semester to cater for the Deepavali festival and provide buses to transport Hindu students in campuses to temples on Fridays.

He readily appointed Datuk G.Palanivel,the current President of MIC to a full minister in his cabinet, something which the MIC had been fighting for a very long time without success. However this came so abruptly which caught everyone by surprise as it was granted without any pressure now.

Why has Najib to go out of the way to court the Indians, who just comprise less than 8% of the population and who have hardly any political or economic power in the country? If at all they have any power it is their perceived “divine” power. The reason is not very difficult to decipher. His support from the Chinese can be written off and that from the Malays is eroding fast. With this situation and with the elections looming what choice does he have other than to entice the Indians back?

The moves by Najib may be signs of his goodwill to the Indian community but will they be enough to convince the Indians? It would have in the past but not anymore. In fact many see his moves as being too little too late and others question the sincerity of his motives. His latest move to appoint Palanivel is seen as a desperate move to please the Indians which is not being well received by the community, as most Indians feel an additional cabinet post is the least the Indians need now.

By his appointment Palanivel and the MIC may have got what they wanted, but is it want the Indians themselves wanted? What they want is to be accorded their social, economic and political rights and dues as legitimate citizens of the country. They want to be treated with respect as rightful citizens who want to coexist harmoniously with the other races in peace and unity.

The pathetic state of the Indians in Malaysia cannot be overcome by mere gestures of goodwill by the government especially at times of elections. It has to be addressed as a Malaysian problem and not as an isolated Indian one. The problem is a complex socio-economic one that need careful planning and bold execution to overcome it.

The Indians alone cannot solve their problems in isolation. They need the concerted actions of all and a government that adopts a more concerned multiracial attitude to solve their problems not as Indians but as citizens belonging to an impoverished group of Malaysians. It is sad that Najib and his Umno-BN is not willing to that now anytime now.

At the same time the Indians must adopt a new mindset to consider themselves as Malaysians first and fight for their rights together with the other communities as Malaysians not as Indians fighting for Indian rights. We have to accept the fact that we are all Malaysians and no one community can live happily with another in dire poverty and distress. Rise or fall we will together no matter how strong or rich one may be.

Jeyakumar haunted by fear of police frame-up

PSM6 are released and given hero's welcome

Dr.Jayakumar’s arrest a travesty of justice

Punishing the one who should be rewarded

YB Dr. Michael Jayakumar,as I know him, is a man of great concern for the down trodden and the marginalised Malaysians.He has sacrificed a greater part of his life and career for uplifting the poor in our society.

He hails from a very distinguished family - Uncle was the late Tan Sri Professor Dr.T.J.Danaraj,the founder Dean of the University Malaya Medical Faculty.He was well respected by all in the medical fraternity for his tireless efforts to build the Medical faculty to become a leading medical institution in the region and the Commonwealth.

Dr. Jayakumar's father, Datuk Dr.Devaraj, was no less prominent, the Penang State Physician for many years who had rendered valuable services to the people of Penang.

Dr.Jayakumar himself was a dedicated Chest Physician in Ipoh for many years. His concern for the poor patients was obvious even as a medical officer when he used to visit the remote areas and participate in many health camps for the poor. At a time when as young doctors we loved luxurious lives and fleshy cars, Dr.Jayakumar used to drive his old second hand Volkwagon to the many estates in providing free medical services to the poor.

Till today he is known for his extra-ordinary passion for the poor and marginalised in our society.His "Mission Impossible" victory in the last GE when he unseated the former MIC president in Sungai Siput,Perak was mainly due to the support of the ordinary citizens who look up to him as a man of high integrity, concern and care for them. He managed to secure a special place in the hearts of the poor and marginalised Malaysians.

The government has made a great mistake in arresting a man of such virtuous character. The charge that he was attempting to revive the Communist Party and waging a war against the Agung is most disturbing and least convincing of a man of his stature; a caring and dedicated physician, an elected MP, a ardent worker for the welfare of the poor and most of all a good and decent human.

Detaining such a great man under deplorable conditions for such extreme charges without proper evidence is unbecoming of a government that claims to uphold the principles of democracy and rule of law. The government should reward him for the contributions to the people not punish him for doing what we should all be doing as responsible citizens.

It is difficult to understand how many corrupt leaders and hardcore criminals are allowed to freely roam our streets but a dedicated doctor and social worker becomes a threat to the King and country and has to be detailed under draconian laws meant for terrorists.

As concerned and peace-loving Malaysians, we call upon the IGP, Home Minister and the Prime Minister to immediately free YB Dr.Jayakumar and his friends immediately unconditionally. Failing to do so will only undermine the already declining support of the people for the government.

Man of the Match Bersih 2.0

Courts have become a tool for politicians

The Datuk T trial an abuse of the courts

Former Malacca Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul RahimThambyChik, businessman DatukShazrylEskay Abdullah and former Perkasa treasurer-general Datuk Shuib Lazim, all of whom make up the “Datuk T” trio, were fined yesterday after they pleaded guilty for the screening of the sex video at Carcosa Seri Negara Hotel here on March 21.

Despite pleading guilty why was the need for them to issue statements regarding the identity of the actor and the authenticity of the video? Why the need for them to refer to foreign experts when that should be the work of the police? Why the need to screen the video in court even after the accused have admitted their guilt?In fact Bar Council president Lim Chee Wee described that the court’s decision in allowing the video to be shown as “shocking” and “extraordinary.” We understand that huge screens were set up even before the start of the case in anticipation of what is to happen as thought it was all orchestrated. Why did the court allow itself to be abused by the accused?

The net big surprise came when most of the mainstream media reported the case as though the identity of the actor in the video was the main contention.Beritaharian wrote, “Video sek stulen”, Utusan Malaysia “Video tulen, pelakun seksserupa Anwar” and the NST “Video not doctored”.The Star published"It is Anwar" in its front page. These reports are misleading, as the case was not about Anwar but about the trio screening and distribution of pornography.

It is extremely disappointing that our national dailies can stoop so low to submit to their political masters.What has happened to the ethics of journalism that they are supposed to uphold?The mainstream media should not make the same mistake of their political masters – underestimating the intelligence people, maturity and wisdom of the people. The people are not stupid and should not be treated so anymore.

Many peace-loving Malaysians do not subscribe to street demonstrations and rallies to vent their anger and frustrations against the government but it appears that with each passing day that unfortunately appears to be the only choice left for them

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