Mar 21, 08 7:25pm
While the larger legal and policy context of refugees and other undocumented migrants can be holistically addressed only by the federal government, state governments are not completely helpless in resolving - or at least alleviating - the problems faced by such vulnerable groups.
In saying this, two human rights groups reminded the five state governments ruled by opposition parties that there are several areas where concrete steps can already be taken.
Among the immediate steps, said International Federation for Human Rights’ (FIDH) vice-president (Asia-Pacific) Cynthia Gabriel, is to allay the fears of undocumented migrants such as refugees and asylum-seekers that prevent them from accessing basic facilities.
The fear of being arrested, extorted from or otherwise harassed by police personnel, members of the civilian auxiliary force Rela, or the enforcement officers of the immigration department and local councils prevent many from seeing a doctor even in the event of a serious health or medical problem, said Gabriel.
"The fear of being arrested can be addressed by the state governments (by) giving them the necessary assurance and protection that they wouldn’t be hunted down and that the harassments would not continue," she said.
Gabriel said this at a press conference held at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall in Kuala Lumpur today after launching a report on the problems faced by undocumented migrants and refugees in Malaysia.
The report is the result of a fact-finding mission jointly carried out by FIDH, a Paris-based organisation, and local human rights group Suaram.
While there are about two million registered migrant workers in the country, some estimates place the number of undocumented migrants as high as five million. They are said to make up between 30 percent to 50 percent of the total Malaysian labour force.
Municpal and city councils
Echoing Gabriel’s comments, Suaram executive director Yap Swee Seng said state governments may not be calling all the shots as far as the police, immigration and Rela are concerned.
They do, however, when it comes to the municipal and city councils, he noted.
The present Selangor state government can retract, for example, the ‘zero squatters’ policy of the previous Barisan Nasional-led state administration and which was carried out by the state local councils, said Yap.
While many citizens have lost their homes, a sizeable number of undocumented migrants have also lost the roofs over their heads as a result of the policy.
"A lot of undocumented migrants and refugees are denied proper adequate housing, and I think this is one of the areas that the state governments can look into and formulate some assistance on humanitarian grounds," he said.
State governments can also take the lead in "sensitising" the enforcement personnel of local councils on the need to protect and promote the human rights of everyone, including non-citizens, Yap added.
Yap acknowledged the "legal obstacle" faced by state governments in that giving shelter to undocumented migrants can be viewed as violating the country’s harsh laws on the harbouring of illegal immigrants.
Malaysia is not a party to either the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees or the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees.
Yap noted, however, that such humanitarian assistance to undocumented migrants - especially to women and child refugees - are part of the federal government’s legal obligations to abide by international treaties that Malaysia has ratified.
These include the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child and the 1981 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, he said.
"I think the state governments can take the lead in implementing both these conventions," said Yap.
Financial assistance
When met later, Gabriel said state governments can also extend much needed financial assistance to non-governmental organisations that are already providing social services to undocumented migrant communities.
Taking the example of Burmese refugee children - who, by virtue of their ‘illegal’ status’. are deprived of any education - state funds can go a long way in helping NGOs to reach out to more child refugees and their families.
"In addition to the issue of schooling, there’s also the issue of these children’s security and safety that state governments can already address," she said.
There are an estimated 13,000 Burmese refugees who have fled their military-ruled country and sought asylum in Malaysia.
Gabriel had earlier said in the press conference that the state governments can take the steps needed to educate the public and set the record straight regarding the involvement of migrants such as refugees in the rising crime rate.
She was referring to recent statistics that - contrary to the widely-held blame placed on 'foreigners'- showed that 98 percent of crimes are committed by Malaysians.
"We’d like to call on state governments to develop that space for engagement so that civil society groups can engage with them on issues like public safety, crime, health issues, and so on.
"They have to ensure that the problem is addressed, (to ensure) that migrant communities are not necessarily blamed for everything that goes wrong in our society, and that state governments can take steps to ensure that basic rights are protected," she said.
Abolish whipping
FIDH and Suaram in their reports urged the government to amend the Immigration Act 1959/1963 so as to legally recognise refugees.
Many quarters have argued that immigration offences should not be ‘criminalised’ as done currently by the Act but viewed as an ‘administrative’ issue.
FIDH and Suaram also urged for whipping to be abolished as a form of punishment and that the maximum term of imprisonment for immigration violations to be reduced.
"I think on this part, we are calling on the parliamentarians to adhere to the international norm and principle that corporal punishment is a form of torture and should not be allowed in Malaysia, especially when we are talking about being a developed country by 2020.
"A developed country should be a civilised country, as well, and we think this (whipping) is a barbaric act," said Yap.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Q&A: 'Samy Vellu still relevant'
Mar 22, 08 5:26am
Recovering from its devastation in the March 8 polls - which also saw its president S Samy Vellu and his generals losing their seats -MIC is now trying to pick up the pieces.
Many feel that the party is on the brink of extinction but its leaders continue to remain optimistic about its survival. They have promised to fine-tune their approaches to better suit the present situation.
It was simply the case of a ticking time-bomb and the Indian community's pent-up frustrations detonated on Nov 25 last year.
Some 30,000 disgruntled Indians took to the streets for a rally organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).
From then onwards it was downhill for MIC.
In an interview with Malaysiakini yesterday, party secretary-general Dr S Subramaniam talked about the uphill task of rebuilding MIC.
Subramaniam, who is the human resources minister, is MIC's new face in the cabinet in nearly three decades following the defeat of the party's veteran president and former works minister.
Below are some excerpts from the interview.
Malaysiakini: Certain quarters are saying that the party can only be salvaged if Samy Vellu steps down. Do you agree with this view?
Subramaniam: As far as MIC, the people who elected him are concerned, Datuk Seri Samy Vellu still has tremendous support within the party, within the branches, within the members. So I think as far as the party's support for him is concerned, there has been no dwindling in that.
Even in the aftermath of the polls?
I think it's still there. That's why you don't find anything (calls on him to resign) from the party. These people who are saying (this) are outsiders, those who are outside the party. These critics have always been there. And...as it is, he is a consolidating factor for the party, particularly in this present situation. So I think, that is political, so as far as the political realities of the party are concerned, his presidency is still relevant.
Do you think bringing back former deputy president S Subramaniam back into the fold is a good move or will it pave the way for another power struggle?
Well, I think that was the president's move as part of an overall policy, a thing to reduce camps within the Indian community. He (Subramaniam) is one component of it. He (Samy Vellu) also discussed with the various IPF (Indian Progressive Front) segments. By doing so, we hope that these divisive factors which could have contributed (to the party's defeat can be united). Because the divisive factors, you know we had two papers, the Tamil press, which were expressing different views and contributing to further divisions. All this could be reduced, so that we can go forth with a more united and unified Indian community. So this is part of a greater programme...so as time goes by we can unify the Indian community in addressing the new challenges we are going to face.
Some are concerned that Subramaniam's return could spark off a political tussle
Well, you must see it in the current perspective. He has actually not returned, I think people got it all wrong. He is still a division chairman of the MIC, the Seputeh division, with all the rights of any member of MIC. So whether we state it that he has returned or don't state it, his right is always there.
So there is no change to that right. We have not given him any added rights more than what he already has. So by exercising that right, if he wanted to contest for any post in 2009 (presidential elections), we cannot stop him so likewise he has every liberty to exercise the rights he has. So that term actually is a misnomer - return. If he was somebody we had expelled or removed from the party and he is coming back, then it's right. But this is not (the case), he is still very much an active chairman of a bahagian (division) within MIC. So it's not actually a return or anything, it's just maybe two people (Samy Vellu and Subramaniam) with different opinions reconciling their opinions more than anything else.
It is more like a return to the leadership...
That I think, we don't know what he had in mind. He might still have gone, whether this (reconciliation) talks had gone on or not, he might have still gone for a post, we would not have known.
There are those who are saying that race-based parties no longer have a future in this country and multiracial parties is the way forward. In that context, how do you see MIC's future?
Although being race-based, we have been functioning in a broader multiracial platform that is Barisan Nasional. I think to confront the new challenges, the Barisan Nasional per se can become more active and more apparent in handling issues which are more multiracial in dimension, without actually breaking down the present structure of the coalition as such. The decision to actually become a single, uniformed, multi-race party can only be done if all the other component parties are of the same opinion.
Putting that aside, the only way, of course, is for the Barisan Nasional to be more functional in representing multiracial views which we are now doing within the ambits of our meetings. But if that became more apparent, more visible, then it can be the alternative to what the other opposition parties, which are purportedly multiracial, are exhibiting.
There are reports stating that MIC grassroots are abandoning ship and jumping to opposition parties. How bad is the situation?
These are all rumours. We have not had any serious grassroots leader having gone across. There are of course those who are opposed to us who have always been there and some of them have actually remained in the party but they have been opposed (to us) even before this (elections). They might have been seen doing this (crossing over). Although I have heard these rumours, but in terms of real reports of this so and so has gone, we have not had any such reports. So, I don't think it's a major thing at the present moment.
What about losing the works ministry, some consider that a blow to MIC.
Yeah, we have had that for a long time. According to the prime minister, he says all ministries are equally important, so don't give value to ministries - one is more important than the other. So in that sense, he says even the human resources ministry is important in the present thrust of the government on capacity building, human capital development. This is one of the main goals of the government, which he (the prime minister) feels is one of the most important requirements of the Indian community at the present time.
So it is difficult for us to ascribe value to ministries and see which is more superior, which is less superior, and to get disturbed by it. I know the concerns, but an explanation has been given by the leaders who made the decision, so we accept it, and we will use the platform which has been given to us to achieve whatever we wanted to achieve as far as the community is concerned.
As the MIC secretary-general and cabinet member, what is your hope for the Indian community?
The community has been fighting a long battle. I did an analysis, we will have about 600,000... approximately Indian families in Malaysia. If we take one family is three to four people, approximately that will be the amount, our population is around there. Out of which, one third are quite okay, they don't require any support from any other agencies to take care of them. The other two third, one third actually wants all the facilities available within the government to be available to them fairly so that they can plug into that system and develop themselves. The other third are the ones who require some proactive intervention because of some reasons so that they can come up the social ladder and be competitive.
So these two groups, I think we are fighting for their needs, in the sense that we want the government to provide opportunities which are available to others in terms of training, educational opportunities and job opportunities so that they can strengthen themselves. And to the other group (help should be extended) in terms of capacity building, poverty eradication programmes, training for those in the lower-income group so that the group will also come up.
Once we have achieved those two targets, then the Malaysian Indian community will be in the same state as the other communities in this country and play its legitimate role as equal citizens of the country. I think once we reach the target, our goal would have been achieved. This we will do.
I consider this as a transition period in our social evolution of a estate-based community to an urban-based community. We will overcome this challenge, so once we become a more stable urban community, we will be able to take on the challenges of the urban environment. Then we will be able to find our own place and become a successful community.
Recovering from its devastation in the March 8 polls - which also saw its president S Samy Vellu and his generals losing their seats -MIC is now trying to pick up the pieces.
Many feel that the party is on the brink of extinction but its leaders continue to remain optimistic about its survival. They have promised to fine-tune their approaches to better suit the present situation.
It was simply the case of a ticking time-bomb and the Indian community's pent-up frustrations detonated on Nov 25 last year.
Some 30,000 disgruntled Indians took to the streets for a rally organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).
From then onwards it was downhill for MIC.
In an interview with Malaysiakini yesterday, party secretary-general Dr S Subramaniam talked about the uphill task of rebuilding MIC.
Subramaniam, who is the human resources minister, is MIC's new face in the cabinet in nearly three decades following the defeat of the party's veteran president and former works minister.
Below are some excerpts from the interview.
Malaysiakini: Certain quarters are saying that the party can only be salvaged if Samy Vellu steps down. Do you agree with this view?
Subramaniam: As far as MIC, the people who elected him are concerned, Datuk Seri Samy Vellu still has tremendous support within the party, within the branches, within the members. So I think as far as the party's support for him is concerned, there has been no dwindling in that.
Even in the aftermath of the polls?
I think it's still there. That's why you don't find anything (calls on him to resign) from the party. These people who are saying (this) are outsiders, those who are outside the party. These critics have always been there. And...as it is, he is a consolidating factor for the party, particularly in this present situation. So I think, that is political, so as far as the political realities of the party are concerned, his presidency is still relevant.
Do you think bringing back former deputy president S Subramaniam back into the fold is a good move or will it pave the way for another power struggle?
Well, I think that was the president's move as part of an overall policy, a thing to reduce camps within the Indian community. He (Subramaniam) is one component of it. He (Samy Vellu) also discussed with the various IPF (Indian Progressive Front) segments. By doing so, we hope that these divisive factors which could have contributed (to the party's defeat can be united). Because the divisive factors, you know we had two papers, the Tamil press, which were expressing different views and contributing to further divisions. All this could be reduced, so that we can go forth with a more united and unified Indian community. So this is part of a greater programme...so as time goes by we can unify the Indian community in addressing the new challenges we are going to face.
Some are concerned that Subramaniam's return could spark off a political tussle
Well, you must see it in the current perspective. He has actually not returned, I think people got it all wrong. He is still a division chairman of the MIC, the Seputeh division, with all the rights of any member of MIC. So whether we state it that he has returned or don't state it, his right is always there.
So there is no change to that right. We have not given him any added rights more than what he already has. So by exercising that right, if he wanted to contest for any post in 2009 (presidential elections), we cannot stop him so likewise he has every liberty to exercise the rights he has. So that term actually is a misnomer - return. If he was somebody we had expelled or removed from the party and he is coming back, then it's right. But this is not (the case), he is still very much an active chairman of a bahagian (division) within MIC. So it's not actually a return or anything, it's just maybe two people (Samy Vellu and Subramaniam) with different opinions reconciling their opinions more than anything else.
It is more like a return to the leadership...
That I think, we don't know what he had in mind. He might still have gone, whether this (reconciliation) talks had gone on or not, he might have still gone for a post, we would not have known.
There are those who are saying that race-based parties no longer have a future in this country and multiracial parties is the way forward. In that context, how do you see MIC's future?
Although being race-based, we have been functioning in a broader multiracial platform that is Barisan Nasional. I think to confront the new challenges, the Barisan Nasional per se can become more active and more apparent in handling issues which are more multiracial in dimension, without actually breaking down the present structure of the coalition as such. The decision to actually become a single, uniformed, multi-race party can only be done if all the other component parties are of the same opinion.
Putting that aside, the only way, of course, is for the Barisan Nasional to be more functional in representing multiracial views which we are now doing within the ambits of our meetings. But if that became more apparent, more visible, then it can be the alternative to what the other opposition parties, which are purportedly multiracial, are exhibiting.
There are reports stating that MIC grassroots are abandoning ship and jumping to opposition parties. How bad is the situation?
These are all rumours. We have not had any serious grassroots leader having gone across. There are of course those who are opposed to us who have always been there and some of them have actually remained in the party but they have been opposed (to us) even before this (elections). They might have been seen doing this (crossing over). Although I have heard these rumours, but in terms of real reports of this so and so has gone, we have not had any such reports. So, I don't think it's a major thing at the present moment.
What about losing the works ministry, some consider that a blow to MIC.
Yeah, we have had that for a long time. According to the prime minister, he says all ministries are equally important, so don't give value to ministries - one is more important than the other. So in that sense, he says even the human resources ministry is important in the present thrust of the government on capacity building, human capital development. This is one of the main goals of the government, which he (the prime minister) feels is one of the most important requirements of the Indian community at the present time.
So it is difficult for us to ascribe value to ministries and see which is more superior, which is less superior, and to get disturbed by it. I know the concerns, but an explanation has been given by the leaders who made the decision, so we accept it, and we will use the platform which has been given to us to achieve whatever we wanted to achieve as far as the community is concerned.
As the MIC secretary-general and cabinet member, what is your hope for the Indian community?
The community has been fighting a long battle. I did an analysis, we will have about 600,000... approximately Indian families in Malaysia. If we take one family is three to four people, approximately that will be the amount, our population is around there. Out of which, one third are quite okay, they don't require any support from any other agencies to take care of them. The other two third, one third actually wants all the facilities available within the government to be available to them fairly so that they can plug into that system and develop themselves. The other third are the ones who require some proactive intervention because of some reasons so that they can come up the social ladder and be competitive.
So these two groups, I think we are fighting for their needs, in the sense that we want the government to provide opportunities which are available to others in terms of training, educational opportunities and job opportunities so that they can strengthen themselves. And to the other group (help should be extended) in terms of capacity building, poverty eradication programmes, training for those in the lower-income group so that the group will also come up.
Once we have achieved those two targets, then the Malaysian Indian community will be in the same state as the other communities in this country and play its legitimate role as equal citizens of the country. I think once we reach the target, our goal would have been achieved. This we will do.
I consider this as a transition period in our social evolution of a estate-based community to an urban-based community. We will overcome this challenge, so once we become a more stable urban community, we will be able to take on the challenges of the urban environment. Then we will be able to find our own place and become a successful community.
Dr Subra: March 8 an awakening
Mar 22, 08 4:26am
What had unraveled on March 8 will be discussed even decades from now. This was the day the Barisan Nasional (BN) fortress cracked.
The date is also significant for MIC since it marked the party's worst ever performance in half a century.
A party that was accustomed to the sweetness of victory was suddenly forced to taste the bitterness of defeat in 18 of its 28 seats.
MIC's future and relevance have since come under intense scrutiny.
Its leaders however believe that MIC will rise again. And one such leader is secretary-general Dr S Subramaniam.
The doctor's prognosis is that while the wound is deep, the ailing party can - with the right treatment - be nursed back to health.
Subramaniam is the new Indian representative in the cabinet after nearly three decades. He joins the elite fraternity as the human resources minister after veteran party president and former works minister S Samy Vellu was vanquished in his stronghold.
On his first day in office at the administrative capital of Putrajaya yesterday, Subramaniam spoke to Malaysiakini about his appointment, the status of MIC and its future.
Great expectations
The polls, according to him, not only bore testimony to the political awakening of the Indian community, but also served to jolt MIC and its leaders.
To deny that the recent events had no effect will be nothing short of a fallacy, he said, adding that the party is now changing, re-equipping and re-organising its strategies to face the challenges that lay ahead.
Subramaniam is also well aware of the community's expectations of him as the sole Indian cabinet member, a position which he never - even in his 'wildest dreams' - had expected to land.
"My initial reaction was that it was a responsibility bestowed because of a rather unfortunate situation. I have prepared myself physically and mentally to meet up to the new challenges. I am sure I will fulfill the role effectively," he said.
"Of course there are expectations from the community that being the sole Indian representative in the cabinet that I will be vocalising their aspirations and future towards their satisfaction.
"I am completely aware of that need and in this present circumstance, the representation must not only be done, but the results of this representation must be felt by the people...if we were to have an impact on the future political direction of the Indian community."
The wildfire
On what caused the MIC to suffer heavy losses in the general election, the party secretary-general listed several factors.
With time not in their favour, he said, the party had tried in vain to contain the 'wildfire' which engulfed the Indian community.
"There were grievances within the Indian community, we were aware of it. We have represented these grievances and there have been responses from the government. But there was a growing perception in the community of a feeling of unfairness," he explained.
In the past, Subramaniam said, the party was able manage this feeling by explaining the situation to the community as well as "living with it and progressing along with it."
"But the events which occurred in the last few months provoked a section of the community to question everything which was enforced before. When they did that, whatever that we (MIC) have done did not appear sufficient or adequate as far as their subjective assessment went."
After this force was triggered, Subramaniam said, the sentiments were exploited by the opposition for political mileage.
"They amplified it, they spread it...so it became a wildfire like thing and our attempts to contain it by meeting the people and targetted groups...probably met with some success, but I think there was not enough time between the onset of these events and the calling of the elections for us to overcome all this.
"So when we went into the elections, we knew we will lose some seats but not as many as what we lost. We knew probably in Penang and Kedah, we would have problems in those areas because of the ground feeling. But we never thought we would lose all seats in Perak, that came as a shock."
Younger generation
Subramaniam also conceded that MIC lost much support among the younger generation of voters, especially those with access to the alternative media.
"They were exposed to a lot of information that was negative to the ruling government. I think here Barisan Nasional as a whole...we failed to provide alternate information to what was being produced by our opponents.
"So that generation got influenced by one set of information that was available to them. I think a great proportion of that generation would have voted against us," he said, adding that this was also revealed in the party's analysis of the voting trends.
Apart from turning their backs on MIC, he said the younger generation also influenced their elders - who were traditional supporters of the party - to cast their ballots for the opposition.
"For example in my area, children who went back home from KL to vote affected their parents who were strong supporters of us by telling them things to the contrary ... it was a wave," he said, adding that modern technology helped to propel this wave.
Divisive components
To regain lost ground, Subramaniam stated that MIC must look into several factors.
One of them being unifying the community by bringing the various divisive components - such as former deputy president S Subramaniam's faction and the splinter Indian Progressive Front (IPF) groups - back into the fold.
Next, is targeting the younger generation. This, Subramaniam said, requires a complete new set of strategies.
"This will include the usage of the alternative media, fully and effectively. So the younger generation will be exposed to information on whatever we are doing and the aspirations of the party and the community as well as opening the doors to them.
"There was this complaint that MIC never made any attempts to bring in new people," he said. "The party will now work towards becoming more open and attractive."
He assured that nobody will be prevented from playing an active role in the party.
According to Subramaniam, another weakness which requires focus is MIC branches.
"Our party structure is state, division and branch. State is the coordinating body, divisions is where the power base is now. Branches is where the connectivity with the grassroots is.
"We found that at the branch level, we have been weakened. We want to strengthen the branches so that the branches are active and have members who are relevant...to create the connectivity between MIC and the local community," he said.
Temple demolitions
The MIC leader also stressed on the need for the party to resolve issues which he described as being "core to the heart." This includes temple demolitions.
"We have discussed (this issue) and the government is completely aware. We want to regularise this thing so that events of that kind do not come forth again.
"Tamil schools is another emotive issue. The education minister (Hishammuddin Hussein) has given word to us, even prior to the elections, that he will resolve issues pertaining to partially-aided and fully-aided Tamil schools so that Tamil schools will have adequate funding.
"So these are agendas that we will be following very passionately to ensure that these things are resolved to the satisfaction of the community, so that the community will feel that we still are representing its aspirations and feelings," he said.
As for the younger generation, Subramaniam said the party will look into training, employment and their future.
"(In) government service employment, we are already seeing a trend towards a small group of non-Malays. I want to attract more Indian youths to participate in the training programmes which are available here (human resources ministry) so that their skills levels will increase. With this, their employability and income will increase.
"By providing them with adequate training, higher skills and higher employment (opportunities), I feel that the core issues facing the youth can be addressed," he added.
Subramaniam believes that if MIC can resolve the main problems that plague the community as well as help elevate their living standards, the party will be able to gain their trust.
What had unraveled on March 8 will be discussed even decades from now. This was the day the Barisan Nasional (BN) fortress cracked.
The date is also significant for MIC since it marked the party's worst ever performance in half a century.
A party that was accustomed to the sweetness of victory was suddenly forced to taste the bitterness of defeat in 18 of its 28 seats.
MIC's future and relevance have since come under intense scrutiny.
Its leaders however believe that MIC will rise again. And one such leader is secretary-general Dr S Subramaniam.
The doctor's prognosis is that while the wound is deep, the ailing party can - with the right treatment - be nursed back to health.
Subramaniam is the new Indian representative in the cabinet after nearly three decades. He joins the elite fraternity as the human resources minister after veteran party president and former works minister S Samy Vellu was vanquished in his stronghold.
On his first day in office at the administrative capital of Putrajaya yesterday, Subramaniam spoke to Malaysiakini about his appointment, the status of MIC and its future.
Great expectations
The polls, according to him, not only bore testimony to the political awakening of the Indian community, but also served to jolt MIC and its leaders.
To deny that the recent events had no effect will be nothing short of a fallacy, he said, adding that the party is now changing, re-equipping and re-organising its strategies to face the challenges that lay ahead.
Subramaniam is also well aware of the community's expectations of him as the sole Indian cabinet member, a position which he never - even in his 'wildest dreams' - had expected to land.
"My initial reaction was that it was a responsibility bestowed because of a rather unfortunate situation. I have prepared myself physically and mentally to meet up to the new challenges. I am sure I will fulfill the role effectively," he said.
"Of course there are expectations from the community that being the sole Indian representative in the cabinet that I will be vocalising their aspirations and future towards their satisfaction.
"I am completely aware of that need and in this present circumstance, the representation must not only be done, but the results of this representation must be felt by the people...if we were to have an impact on the future political direction of the Indian community."
The wildfire
On what caused the MIC to suffer heavy losses in the general election, the party secretary-general listed several factors.
With time not in their favour, he said, the party had tried in vain to contain the 'wildfire' which engulfed the Indian community.
"There were grievances within the Indian community, we were aware of it. We have represented these grievances and there have been responses from the government. But there was a growing perception in the community of a feeling of unfairness," he explained.
In the past, Subramaniam said, the party was able manage this feeling by explaining the situation to the community as well as "living with it and progressing along with it."
"But the events which occurred in the last few months provoked a section of the community to question everything which was enforced before. When they did that, whatever that we (MIC) have done did not appear sufficient or adequate as far as their subjective assessment went."
After this force was triggered, Subramaniam said, the sentiments were exploited by the opposition for political mileage.
"They amplified it, they spread it...so it became a wildfire like thing and our attempts to contain it by meeting the people and targetted groups...probably met with some success, but I think there was not enough time between the onset of these events and the calling of the elections for us to overcome all this.
"So when we went into the elections, we knew we will lose some seats but not as many as what we lost. We knew probably in Penang and Kedah, we would have problems in those areas because of the ground feeling. But we never thought we would lose all seats in Perak, that came as a shock."
Younger generation
Subramaniam also conceded that MIC lost much support among the younger generation of voters, especially those with access to the alternative media.
"They were exposed to a lot of information that was negative to the ruling government. I think here Barisan Nasional as a whole...we failed to provide alternate information to what was being produced by our opponents.
"So that generation got influenced by one set of information that was available to them. I think a great proportion of that generation would have voted against us," he said, adding that this was also revealed in the party's analysis of the voting trends.
Apart from turning their backs on MIC, he said the younger generation also influenced their elders - who were traditional supporters of the party - to cast their ballots for the opposition.
"For example in my area, children who went back home from KL to vote affected their parents who were strong supporters of us by telling them things to the contrary ... it was a wave," he said, adding that modern technology helped to propel this wave.
Divisive components
To regain lost ground, Subramaniam stated that MIC must look into several factors.
One of them being unifying the community by bringing the various divisive components - such as former deputy president S Subramaniam's faction and the splinter Indian Progressive Front (IPF) groups - back into the fold.
Next, is targeting the younger generation. This, Subramaniam said, requires a complete new set of strategies.
"This will include the usage of the alternative media, fully and effectively. So the younger generation will be exposed to information on whatever we are doing and the aspirations of the party and the community as well as opening the doors to them.
"There was this complaint that MIC never made any attempts to bring in new people," he said. "The party will now work towards becoming more open and attractive."
He assured that nobody will be prevented from playing an active role in the party.
According to Subramaniam, another weakness which requires focus is MIC branches.
"Our party structure is state, division and branch. State is the coordinating body, divisions is where the power base is now. Branches is where the connectivity with the grassroots is.
"We found that at the branch level, we have been weakened. We want to strengthen the branches so that the branches are active and have members who are relevant...to create the connectivity between MIC and the local community," he said.
Temple demolitions
The MIC leader also stressed on the need for the party to resolve issues which he described as being "core to the heart." This includes temple demolitions.
"We have discussed (this issue) and the government is completely aware. We want to regularise this thing so that events of that kind do not come forth again.
"Tamil schools is another emotive issue. The education minister (Hishammuddin Hussein) has given word to us, even prior to the elections, that he will resolve issues pertaining to partially-aided and fully-aided Tamil schools so that Tamil schools will have adequate funding.
"So these are agendas that we will be following very passionately to ensure that these things are resolved to the satisfaction of the community, so that the community will feel that we still are representing its aspirations and feelings," he said.
As for the younger generation, Subramaniam said the party will look into training, employment and their future.
"(In) government service employment, we are already seeing a trend towards a small group of non-Malays. I want to attract more Indian youths to participate in the training programmes which are available here (human resources ministry) so that their skills levels will increase. With this, their employability and income will increase.
"By providing them with adequate training, higher skills and higher employment (opportunities), I feel that the core issues facing the youth can be addressed," he added.
Subramaniam believes that if MIC can resolve the main problems that plague the community as well as help elevate their living standards, the party will be able to gain their trust.
Another BN MP ready to jump ship?
Mar 21, 08 1:12pm
BN-SPDP's Mas Gading MP Dr Tiki Lafe, dropped from his deputy minister’s post, has neither denied nor confirmed speculations that he is quitting his party to join the opposition when contacted today.
Asked on the rumours over the phone this morning, the Bidayuh 'ear, nose and throat' specialist-turned-politician would only say, "I am on holiday with my family."
Pressed further on the matter, he added, "I am not saying anything."
Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP), one of four components in the Sarawak BN, has four MPs, including Tiki who was not re-appointed deputy minister on Tuesday.
Instead, the party has two new faces as deputy ministers - Jelaing Mersat, an Iban and Saratok MP, and Jacob Sagan, a Kenyah and Baram MP.
Tiki first contested Mas Gading in the 1999 general election, defeating incumbent and State Reform Party (Star) president Dr Patau Rubis.
Immediately after his victory, Tiki’s then party, Snap, nominated him to replace party veteran Peter Tinggom as deputy minister in the federal cabinet.
When SPDP was formed following the Snap crisis in 2002, Tiki joined the new party and continued as deputy minister in Kuala Lumpur after the 2004 general election.
In the May 8 polls, Tiki defeated Patau and two other independents to win Mas Gading for the third time.
Interestingly, it is learnt that there was a lot of lobbying within SPDP for Tiki to be replaced as candidate for the just-concluded election but last-minute intervention from a third party saw his name back on the candidate’s list.
Meanwhile, Tiki is said to have replied to a Sarawak journalist via SMS today that ‘I am still in KL and due to leave for overseas later."
Richard changes his mind
In another development BN-SUPP's Serian MP Richard Riot, who was reported to have quit his party yesterday, has a change of mind today - he has decided to stay.
However, the denial did not come from him directly.
Supp publicity chief Alfred Yap said in a press statement after meeting Serian Supp branch leaders this afternoon that party president Dr George Chan has spoken to Richard today, adding that the MP was upset by newspaper reports about him quitting the party.
Yap said Richard pledged full support for Supp and loyalty to the BN under the leadership of the Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
He added that the MP, who is a party's vice-president, is now in Kuala Lumpur to meet Abdullah to clarify his position.
Yap did not say when Richard would be returning to Kuching or when he would issue a statement to the media.
BN-SPDP's Mas Gading MP Dr Tiki Lafe, dropped from his deputy minister’s post, has neither denied nor confirmed speculations that he is quitting his party to join the opposition when contacted today.
Asked on the rumours over the phone this morning, the Bidayuh 'ear, nose and throat' specialist-turned-politician would only say, "I am on holiday with my family."
Pressed further on the matter, he added, "I am not saying anything."
Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP), one of four components in the Sarawak BN, has four MPs, including Tiki who was not re-appointed deputy minister on Tuesday.
Instead, the party has two new faces as deputy ministers - Jelaing Mersat, an Iban and Saratok MP, and Jacob Sagan, a Kenyah and Baram MP.
Tiki first contested Mas Gading in the 1999 general election, defeating incumbent and State Reform Party (Star) president Dr Patau Rubis.
Immediately after his victory, Tiki’s then party, Snap, nominated him to replace party veteran Peter Tinggom as deputy minister in the federal cabinet.
When SPDP was formed following the Snap crisis in 2002, Tiki joined the new party and continued as deputy minister in Kuala Lumpur after the 2004 general election.
In the May 8 polls, Tiki defeated Patau and two other independents to win Mas Gading for the third time.
Interestingly, it is learnt that there was a lot of lobbying within SPDP for Tiki to be replaced as candidate for the just-concluded election but last-minute intervention from a third party saw his name back on the candidate’s list.
Meanwhile, Tiki is said to have replied to a Sarawak journalist via SMS today that ‘I am still in KL and due to leave for overseas later."
Richard changes his mind
In another development BN-SUPP's Serian MP Richard Riot, who was reported to have quit his party yesterday, has a change of mind today - he has decided to stay.
However, the denial did not come from him directly.
Supp publicity chief Alfred Yap said in a press statement after meeting Serian Supp branch leaders this afternoon that party president Dr George Chan has spoken to Richard today, adding that the MP was upset by newspaper reports about him quitting the party.
Yap said Richard pledged full support for Supp and loyalty to the BN under the leadership of the Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
He added that the MP, who is a party's vice-president, is now in Kuala Lumpur to meet Abdullah to clarify his position.
Yap did not say when Richard would be returning to Kuching or when he would issue a statement to the media.
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