Friday, August 15, 2008

Mara oh Marah


We are just a day away from the Nomination Date for the Permatang Pauh by-election. From tomorrow onwards till the results are announced, you won't get any news coverage in the media other then Permatang Pauh.

Before that storm hits us, let us just ponder about the recent suggestion by the Selangor Menteri Besar about allocating 10% of seats in UiTM to non-Malays and the reactions to it. It was merely a suggestion, even that from a person who is not in a position to do anything about it.

Now, the reaction to that suggestion really disturbed me. Why do we need thousands of youths to march to meet the MB to voice their protest? Did they have a police permit for the march? If they did not, then it was an illegal gathering and the police should have come down hard on them, as they had on many other occasions. If they had a permit, why were they given a permit when other similar peaceful gatherings had been denied a permit?

The MB was merely giving his opinion. If you don't agree with it, just tell him so and give the reasons why. What was the need to demand for an apology? If one is to apologize each time one gives a suggestion which is not acceptable to someone else, then we will end up doing nothing but apologizing to each other.

Perhaps the Selangor MB was playing to the gallery but that is no reason to march up to him demanding he retracts his statement and apologizes. If neither Malays or non-Malays can discuss matters pertaining to 'Malay Rights', then who has the right to discuss such issues? What about citizens' right? What about freedom of expression?

Mara is a government funded organization and every citizen of Malaysia has a right to voice their views on it.

Now coming to the politics of it. I know those critical of BN will once again use this to point fingers at BN and UMNO. However, one must bear in mind that MARA opening its doors to non-Malays is not something new.

YB Dato Seri Nazri initiated the move to allocate 10% seats to non-Malays at MRSM Colleges a few years ago. At the request of MIC, the government had also allocated 660 places for our Indian Youths for the Giat Mara Scheme to ease our socio-economic burden. (The government had also promised to increase the intake of Indians under the Scheme if there were more takers. Unfortunately, each year we had to struggle to convince Indian Youths to register for the scheme). So why then did this suggestion from the Selangor MB spark such a reaction? Your guess is as good as mine.

It is unhealthy when people simply take to the streets when they disagree with a view. Let good sense prevail and let us all discuss issues in a civilized manner.

Murugesan Sinnandavar

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

To Mr Murrugesan

Why dont you came out from MIC which is not relevant party which 100% under UMNO.Pls join pakatan rakyat.Dont you as a Hindu shame what happen to our tempels and bieng insulted by UMNO malays?are you still support them cos you getting paid well or you wan to serve the indians?

DR SURESH said...

Dear Murugesan,

Dont you think Indians in Malaysia generally being a docile and submissive lot and at least 85% of them have been loyal supporters of the mic and BN govt have been always listening till the 12th GE?
They were ever ready to diccuss too,but you tell me honestly did MIC or BN took them seriously?Now you fellas are taking them seriously because you saw them not being docile and submissive anymore.Your party mate Saravanan said to `forget and forgive'that racist teacher.Did he ever think what psychological effect those derogatory terms would have on those poor students?What guarantee that such racist bigots would not attack them again?So whats your reply for this?

Regards.

Murugesan Sinnandavar said...

Dear Mr Ayoo Samy,

Thank you for your comments and suggestions. However, I will remain with MIC or leave politics for good. For your information, no one gets paid a single cent unless one is appointed as a councillor or elected as a YB.My conscience is clear.

I earn well through my legal practice and don't depend on anyone for money. Neither have I earned a single cent from party politics to date. It is hardest to serve under MIC now as our every action is questioned and people throw accusations wantonly. Regardless, I very much think MIC is relevant for the Indian Community and will continue to serve though it. Have a good day Sir.

Murugesan Sinnandavar said...

Dear Dr Suresh,

We at MIC had never taken the Indian Community for granted. What had changed is the way we deal with issues. Before the 12th GE, MIC always tried to resolve issues behind closed doors and pent up our own frustrations when we don't make headway within BN. We had always toed to the sensitivities of other races. We now see how we had ended up at the wrong side of the equation on the balancing act.

This realization had led to the openness in MIC where now you can see the leaders, especially the youth wing, being more vocal and more direct in dealing with issues.

I can't speak on behalf of YB Dato Saravanan but I think he had explained his stand in his blog. Despite YB Dato Saravanan's statement, MIC Youth had even before that taken a firm stand that a mere transfer is not enough. I believe YB Devamany and DSSV had also subsequently issued statement in line with the Youth's stand. YB Dato Saravanan had since reviewed his stand on the matter. It just goes to show that in a democracy people can and will take different stand on a same issue, even from within the same party.

I had stated my views and stand on the teacher's issue on my two earlier posts. I had asked the same questions as you in arguing that a mere transfer will not do.

Thank you Dr.

Anonymous said...

this is not the only 'event' that prove UMNO is the worst 'RACIST'. But all the time MIC behave like a coolie to umno by defending them. if you honest in posting this blog, why not you go to permatang pauh and tell the indians the truth of this Mara case and the role of umno in colonialisation of indian community for 50 years.

Mathavan Velayutham

Murugesan Sinnandavar said...

Dear Mathavan,

What truth do you want me to tell in Permatang Pauh?

You want me to tell the truth that the Selangor MB subsequently chickened out and 'wriggled out' of his comments?

You want me to tell the truth that Anwar is just using the Indian's sentiment for political gain?

You want me to tell the truth that Anwar had not taken a stand on the UiTM issue as he is afraid of losing the Malay votes?

You want me to tell the truth that Anwar too was in agreement with other UMNO leaders that bar council should not have held the discussion on conversion in the open?

Why haven't Indian Representatives in PKR come out and made their voice heard on these issues? Are they afraid of their supremo, Anwar?

You can accuse MIC of being UMNO's coolie and I can accuse you of being anwar's slave in his quest for power but name calling will not help to resolve issues.

Mathavan, obvious we stand at different end of the political spectrum but that should not prevent us from coming together when we see a common aim.

Thanks for your comments and we shall agree to disagree for now.

Have a good day Sir.

Murugesan Sinnandavar

Anonymous said...

Comment on UiTM rally, it was been politized by UNNO, you don't need a rocket scientist to analyze this. I am surpriced and shock the way VC commented in TV3. He is a professor and educationist, you definately have a different agenda in his mind. I am sure he got a back up from top UMNO fellas.

Mr Muru,
Tell me what so great about Giat Mara, MIC, BN or Pakatan should not emphasis on this kind of kursus juruelektrik, kursus memateri, kursus repair kereta etc.They should find a solution and oppurtunity and loan/fund/scholarship for Indians for profesional courses, not kursus / workshop/ seminar.

Mr Ayooo Samy,
You must understand is a one man party either MIC or out from politics. He is the man with high principle and he believe that MIC can be change and get support from Indians.He is not like frog who like to jump. During good and bad days he still a hardcore MIC man. No doubt about that.Everyone knows that. There are few characters like him in Malaysia from Perak,Kedah, NS and Selangor.
I have a big respect for such human being.
But the question is, will you use slow moving or fast moving vehicle to reach the objectives. You have choice to repair and fix the engine to reach the destination or use a new vehicle which is in MIC. Remember politics is about serving the comunity
The choices in your hand.

Rastaman

Anonymous said...

MR Muru Please continue yr serving for our community.Don't bother others Comment.

Im not in politic but i know the truth what Anuar Ibrahim doing when he is a Education Minister.Lot of our indian friends don't Know what's happen.When he is education minister he are the person kick/Ban tamil subject is not impotent subject in universitys in malaysia.

No 2.In penang When he is Deputy Prime minister Our indian and our Indian muslim friends have some argument regarding our indian temple belling .Anuar are tell if you all continue fighting i will stop all temple belling in penang(means I will Sill All the temple in malaysia).

Im Already Ask Anuar ibrahim about this metter in IJOK By Election but there supporter said pass is pass now he already "insaf"
Bull shit!!! Insaf.

Be Ware!! Don't Think Anuar Can do For indians.In GE 2008 Why he give more sit for indian, because of Mr Nalakarrupen.Nala already give statement when he resign from PKR that Anuar Did't give a sit for Nala in IJOK Because He no bother Indian)That's y in this GE 2008 He give more sit to prove he support indian.PKR MP's Must thanks to Nala Because of he today lot of PKR indian be a MP.

IT is true.........