MIC Youth AGM

The recently concluded MIC Youth AGM (6th of July, 2008) is significant in more ways then one. Many doubted if the MIC Youth Team could pull this one through.

To put matters in perspective, the former National Youth Leader resigned from the party exactly Seven days before the AGM. With his resignation, he called for the resignation of the Party President. The Kedah Youth Leader, Penang Deputy Youth Leader and the Youth Information Officer resigned from their posts but maintained their divisional youth positions and MIC membership. Fiery accusations and claims were made in the press. Many thought the Youth AGM will be called off and MIC Youth will buckle under pressure. They couldn’t be more wrong.

Six days from the AGM, T.Mohan was appointed as the National Youth Coordinator with me as the Deputy and S.Ramis as the Chairman of the newly formed Youth Advisory Council.

Five days from the AGM, Five new State Youth Leaders were appointed to replace the outgoing ones. All State Youth Leaders, except Kedah, passed the baton to the new leaders in the spirit of comradeship and took their positions in the Advisory Council.

It’s noteworthy to mention that the former National cyclist, M.Kumaresan whom had to relinquish his position as Youth Secretary due to his age, went on to complete the AGM Report in time and was magnanimous to allow his assistant, Vengadasalam to table the Annual Report at the AGM. The Youth Treasurer, Ganesan stayed on to complete his Annual Accounts and successfully tabled it.

S. Ramis used his influence and persuasive power to ensure that there would be full turnout at the AGM. T.Mohan whipped the team together and made sure everyone stayed focused on the AGM. All State Youth Leaders (outgoing and the newly elected), National Youth Council Members, Bureau Chairmen and ‘volunteers’ like former National Information Officer, V.Mugilan together with his team, came together as one single coherent unit to make this AGM a success. Division Youth Leaders went the extra mile to call for emergency meetings to assuage divisional youths that we are sticking with the scheduled Youth AGM.

To me, these are the true heroes of MIC and I salute them.

Most of the 520 Youth Delegates attended the AGM. They were joined by Youth Observers and Puteras. Debates and questions from the floor were based on issues. No one took cheap shots against any one. All delegates stayed focused on how we can strengthen the party and stay relevant to the community. Make no mistakes, some harsh criticisms and comments were made but it was never personal. No attempt was made to gag anyone either. The quality of the debates were better then any that I have seen in recent years.

Putera MIC were a revelation at the AGM. We got off to a good start at this first official interaction between Putera and the ‘senior’ Youths. P.Kamalanathan has done a good job in identifying and nurturing these talented young cadres. They acquitted themselves well and spoke their mind on a wide variety of issues. Welcome aboard guys.

Ten Resolutions were tabled at the AGM. The First was in support for the President. Unlike previous years, this year, this particular resolution had a special significance and weight in view of the current political situation. It was heartfelt and was intended to send out a clear signal.

The Second Resolution was a call for transparency and merit based allocation of JPA Scholarships and Matriculation seats. Resolutions Three to Six were on economics. The government was urged to come up with a specific action plan to achieve the 3% Indian Equity target, set a up a revolving fund of RM300,000,000-00 for Young Indian Entrepreneurs, issue our very own banking licence and to issue operational licences/permits to genuine operators.

Resolution Seven was on allocation of 10% employment for Indians at Public Service Department at all levels and for fairer promotions. Resolution Eight was on agriculture with a call on the government to allocate land for farming. Resolutions Nine and Ten were on social issues whereupon the government was urged to grant a ‘temporary amnesty’ for registration of those without proper birth certificates and Identification Cards. The government was also urged to appoint at least one Indian Welfare Officer in each district.

In the midst of all these, the MIC Youth managed to pass the hat around and collect RM25,678-00 for the family of a former MIC Youth whose daughter is in coma due to an accident.

Most of the delegates stayed on till 5.45 pm although the AGM was scheduled to be adjourned at 4.30pm.

This was a successful AGM under any circumstances, and more so under the challenges we were up against.

Thank you guys. Its an honour to be counted as one of you!

Murugesan Sinnandavar

To Leave or Not To Leave...

The MIC Youths’ age limit issue had been hotly debated by the youths and had been widely covered by the press. In the frenzy of it all, certain facts had been ignored or perhaps conveniently forgotten by those involved. It is against my policy to discuss party matters in this blog, however, certain facts must be stated here to set the record straight.

1. There is a provision in the MIC Constitution that defines “Youths” as male members of MIC below the age of 40.

2. This provision was discussed and interpreted during a CWC meeting in 2001. At the said meeting the provision was interpreted on its effect and application. The records are there as to who were the MIC Youth’s CWC representatives at that time.

3. An interpretation was made that a youth ceases to be a “Youth” on his 41st birthday and is to relinquish his youth post.

4. Based on the above interpretation, Dato Nelson, the then MIC Youth Leader graciously resigned his Youth Leader post in 2002 and the then Youth Secretary Vigneswaran was appointed as the Youth Leader.

5. For the record, I have a different opinion as to the meaning of “below the age of 40” and I have expressed my views on it before this. As I understand it, a youth ceases to be a youth on his 40th Birthday not his 41st Birthday. However, there is this 2001 Interpretation and I abided by it.

6. During the party elections in 2006, based on this interpretation, many youth leaders who would not otherwise be eligible to contest had the interpretation been “on his 40th Birthday”, contested the Youth Elections as they were yet to celebrate their 41st Birthday.

7. Having contested for the youth positions based on the first half of the 2001 Interpretation, it is only proper that those concerned adhere to the second half of the interpretation viz, relinquish his post on his 41st Birthday.

8. This week, the MIC Secretary General gave a detailed briefing on the issue to MIC Youth National Council Members and State Youth Leaders. Almost all attended and they accepted the Secretary General’s explanation (after raising certain questions and further clarification being given). Only a few Council Members who were not present are now making a hue and cry over it in the media.

9. Mr. S.Ramis, the Deputy Youth Leader and other Youth Council Members/State Youth Leaders that are caught by the 2001 Interpretation have made it clear that they will abide by it. So will I!

10. It is time that we, the ‘old guards’ of the MIC Youth make way for new blood in the Youth Wing. The ‘Old Guards’ should look forward for life in mainstream politics and leave space for the next generation of Youth Leaders to hone their leadership skills in the Youth Wing. There are many able and willing Youth Leaders in the MIC Youth Wing. I am sure they are better able to reach out to the next generation of youths out there and take the Youth Wing to a new level.

Murugesan Sinnandavar