The DAP has challenged the MIC to stop the federal government's acquisition of a two-hectare plot of land belonging to the Dindings Indian Association (DIA) in Sitiawan, Perak.“If the MIC truly opposes the move, then its (representative) Dr S Subramanian should raise the issue at the cabinet meeting tomorrow, to get this rescinded,” said DAP national vice-chief M Kulasegaran.He was responding to state MIC head S Veerasingam's assurance that the party would ensure that the prime land remains in DIA's hands.
About two weeks ago, the federal government had issued notice that it will acquire the land to build a school. The formal hearing of acquisition is to be held on Aug 25 at the Manjung Land Office.The site had been collectively bought with contributions from pioneer Indian rubber-tappers from the 35 estates in Sitiawan in the 1930s. Kulasegaran said that, if MIC is not capable of handling the problem, it should not hamper or criticise the DAP's efforts to do so.The MIC should also respect the people's right to peacefully gather during the acquisition hearing, and to express their views.“It is our duty and responsibility to make the people aware of the issue involved and to mobilise them to show their clear and public stand,” he said. “While MIC only believes in talking, we believe that it is the people's right to air their legitimate grievances and state their stand via all democratic, legitimate and peaceful avenues, including the holding of a peaceful gathering.”
'Lesson lost on BN'
The proposed acquisition, which is “insensitive, unfair, unnecessary and unjustifiable” would not have been considered if the BN had learnt its lesson after the 2008 general election, Kulasegaran noted.Last week, he and two other 'Sitiawan boys' - Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy and Padang Serai MP N Gobalakrishnan - had held a meeting there to discuss the impending public gathering.Commenting on this, Veerasingam said they should not incite Indians in Sitiawan against the government's move. He reportedly said that the MIC could handle the matter in a peaceful manner, but agreed with Kulasegaran's view that other areas are available to site the new school.
Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/140340
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