'Let's build a new Malaysia for all citizens'

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC president S Samy Vellu has called on the people to march ahead in building a new and dynamic Malaysia where every citizen can have a share and a more meaningful role in the nation’s development.“We must build a nation that will be stronger and prosperous for all citizens,” he said in his message in conjunction with Malaysia’s 53rd Independence Day on Tuesday.He said for the country to prosper and achieve the developed nation status by 2020, there must be equal partnership between the people in moving the economy forward.

'53 years on, end rights abuses'

Amnesty International-Malaysia has urged the government and the people to 'Demand Dignity' in commemorating Malaysia's 53rd year of independence.In a statement today, executive director Nora Murat said that, in 1957, the government had resolved to represent the rights of its people, and that it should hold fast to this.“We need to demand leadership accountability and transparency which are essential to end the human rights violations which keep people poor. We need to Demand Dignity',” she said.

Sacked but KP Samy still gets show-cause letter

PETALING JAYA: In a strange turn of event, expelled MIC central working committee (CWC) member KP Samy was slapped with a show-cause letter by the MIC headquarters yesterday.
The former party leader, who is also a coordinator for Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu (GAS), was reprimanded for not attending the 64th MIC annual general meeting (AGM) held on July 10 and 11 and asked to explain. But KP Samy was sacked from the party on May 24.

Meet 'Vijay', the cradle gangster

KUALA LUMPUR: He is a secret society member and wants to get a tattoo to show his allegiance. But he is afraid that his parents will beat him if he does. Why? Because he is nine-years-old.FMT met the standard three thug recently and he was more than willing to share his underworld stories, but on one condition – that he be referred to as “Vijay”, his favourite Tamil actor known for his action movies.

Unite or we die, Indians told

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC Youth has conceded that it can no longer walk alone. Its chief T Mohan said the past three years have been nothing but divisive political opinions.This, he added, was not beneficial to the community.“It is time for the Indians to unite… I invite all NGOs to work together to save our future here,” he said.Mohan said the Indian community needed to understand that if they banded together, it would be most beneficial and “no power in this country can destroy us".

Father, son appeal for help to treat heart and kidney ailments

RAWANG: Heart patient R. Narasaya whose third son Maarimuthu is also suffering from a kidney ailment, is appealing for donations from the public to undergo treatment.Narasaya, 45, a lorry driver, lost his source of income when he was terminated by a transport company in Serendah about three months ago after suffering a heart attack.He added that his seven-year-old son was also suffering from a kidney ailment for the past two years and that he was helpless to provide treatment for him.

Fighting the good fight for Lembah Pantai

SPECIAL REPORT ON KL The Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur has long been a political trophy for the government and the opposition and the competition took a fierce turn after 2008. Prior to that fateful year, the Barisan Nasional (BN) enjoyed dominion over the city with seven representatives in the 11 constituencies. The tsunami washed out six of them thus putting the trophy in the hands of Pakatan Rakyat.

Now BN understandably wants it back and has begun its conquest with the key constituency of Lembah Pantai. But MP Nurul Izzah Anwar isn't going down without a fight.

'Abolish vernacular schools': Samy sees red

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC president S Samy Vellu is infuriated by the Malay Consultative Council 's (MPM) call to abolish vernacular schools in the country.He said the call was “mischievous, smacked of racism and above all, went against the Federal Constitution”.The veteran politician stressed that such remarks were uncalled for and should be stopped immediately as it might lead to unwanted consequences.“Tamil and Chinese schools are here to stay,” he said. “No one should question their existence.”

Traffic rules ‘leeway’ to restore Brickfields vote for BN

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 26 — The Federal Territories Ministry has promised to ease the clampdown on drivers parking illegally in Brickfields in a bid to appease angry businessmen suffering a drastic drop in business in the suburb.Many Brickfields businessmen — most of them Indians — have threatened to withdraw their traditional support to the Barisan Nasional (BN) amid a business decline of up to 80 per cent caused by the new one-way traffic system brought by the Little India project.Restaurants, grocery stores and textile shops along Jalan Tun Sambanthan have complained of customers being put off by authorities who issue summonses to errant drivers every day.

Missing land grant: MIC's silence fuels suspicion

SITIAWAN: The Human Rights Party (HRP) has cast aspersions on the integrity of the Perak MIC and the Dindings Indian Association (DIA) over their continued silence over a land dispute. HRP deputy chief N Subramaniam is of the opinion that both DIA and MIC are hiding from the public facts and documents pertaining to the dispute.He said after the Dindings land issue arose, the DIA had split into two groups. "We know that one group is in touch with Perak MIC chairman S Veerasingam," said Subramaniam.

PM invites public to share ideas on 2011 Budget

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has invited Malaysians to share their ideas for the 2011 national budget, which is expected to be tabled in Parliament in October.He says that just like in 2009, he feels yet again the significance of connecting with and seeking ideas directly from the people on the ground."It was with the principles of inclusiveness and social justice in mind that I had asked for my fellow Malaysians to contribute suggestions for the 2010 National Budget," and the people's ideas made up a significant portion of the budget as a result, he says in the latest entry in his blog.

In Brickfields, a BN showcase breeds resentment

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 24 — Resentment is building up against the Najib administration's showcase Little India project in the Brickfields neighbourhood here which is being rushed in time for Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh's official visit in November to Malaysia.Many Brickfields businessmen — many of them Indians — have threatened to withdraw their traditional support to the Barisan Nasional (BN) amid a drastic drop in business caused by the new one-way traffic system brought by the Little India project.

Defiant Banggarma shows her Hindu faith

PARIT BUNTAR: S Banggarma, who was declared “a Muslim” by the Penang High Court on Aug 4, defied the Islamic authorities and demonstrated her Hindu belief by carrying “paal kudam” (pot of milk) at a temple festival here last Friday.The mother of two offered her penance to Hindu goddess Mariamman at Sri Muthu Mariamman Kovil fire-walking festival in Dennis Town Estate in the morning together with hundreds of Hindu devotees.She carried the paal kudam for a kilometre from nearby Sri Muneeswarar Kovil to Sri Muthu Mariamman Kovil seeking the divine’s blessing and intervention to help her overcome her battle with the Islamic authorities.

The truth: Racism is rife in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: From housing to jobs, education to citizenry, bigotry in Malaysia is a simmering cauldron.Since MCA’s boldly brazen demand last weekend for an end to the 30% bumiputera equity, it’s not only the politicians and NGOs who are openly slamming each other over a broad range of unfair policies but the man-on-the-street is also spewing his disgust.

New charges against Tharmendran

New charges have been levied against former airman N Tharmendran in the Sessions court today, this time for alleged money laundering in connection with the 2007 theft of two jet fighter engines.He was slapped with three separate charges of the offence while company director K Rajandran Prasad, who is jointly-charged with the theft, faces five separate counts on the same charge.Both accused denied the charges.

A Kugan's blood confirmed at scene, court told

The Sessions Court in Petaling Jaya was today told that detailed chemical analysis has matched blood samples from A Kugan's clothes to blood samples drawn from the curtains at the scene of the incident. cience officer from the Chemistry Department, Petaling Jaya, Aedrianee Reza Aini, 29,described how four procedures were used to extract and analyse exhibits, including the blood samples from Kugan who died in police custody last year. Aedrianee said the procedures were applied after getting the 17 exhibits from two investigating officers, ASP Mohammad Zainal Abdullah and Insp Mohamad Khairi Kamaruddin, on Jan 22, 28 and 29 last year.

MIC official demands ‘heaviest punishment’ for Johor principal

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 —The government must mete out the “heaviest punishment” on Johor school principal Siti Inshah Mansor for allegedly making racial remarks against the Chinese and Indian communities, MIC leader S. Murugessan said.The MIC central working committee member said he felt personally insulted when the principal supposedly said the Indians looked like “dogs” when they wore their prayer strings, adding that such offensive remarks should stop.“I am offended and hurt. No one should insult the religious practices of other religions and to say the Indians’ are akin to dogs is really, really insulting,” he told The Malaysian Insider last night.

Stay away, Bukit Jalil estate workers tell NUPW

PETALING JAYA: Bitten twice, former Bukit Jalil estate workers don' t want the National Union of Plantation Workers to be their spokesman when they meet Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).They accused NUPW of “lining its own pockets” instead of looking after the well-being of the workers.They blamed the union for not keeping a record of their stay in the estate and as a result, they have become “non-existent”.
This time, the workers who are now residents of Ladang Bukit Jalil want to call the shots without the interference of third parties. Their action force committee wants to deal directly with DBKL.

Get cabinet to stop acquisition, MIC dared

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.

MB to Tamil school PTAs: How did you spend RM4mil?

SHAH ALAM: Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim has directed the Parent-Teachers Association (PTA) in all 97 Tamil schools in the state to explain how they spent the RM4 million allocation. The Selangor state government has set aside RM4 million a year for Tamil schools to help reduce their operation costs.
In an inaugural dialogue session organised by the Selangor Education Committee last Saturday, Khalid heard PTA representatives from the Tamil schools voice their problems and seek counsel and shared views on the development of Tamil schools in the state.The committee had organised the dialogue in a bid to hear the views of all parties involved. Also present were state executive councillors Ronnie Liu, Hassan Ali, Xavier Jeyakumar, Halimah Ali and Rodziah Ismail.

Deputy minister in vice ring: Two new alleged victims

SEREMBAN: A PKR leader today revealed that two more girls have contacted him to claim that a deputy minister was involved in vice activities.Perak's Kampung Tawas PKR branch chief MS Arjunan caused a stir on Saturday when he lodged a report in Kuala Lumpur against Federal Territories and Urban Well-being deputy minister M Saravanan over the vice allegations.Arjunan's report was based on a letter which he claimed to have received from a victim.

School head under probe over racist remarks

KULAIJAYA: Police are investigating a school principal who allegedly used racist remarks against non-Malay students during a Merdeka celebration at the school here recently.Kulaijaya deputy OCPD Asst Supt Mohd Kamil said police had received 12 reports against the principal since Saturday and that the case was being investigated under Section 504 of the Penal Code.Over 50 parents and students had lodged the reports against the principal, who allegedly described the non-Malays as “penumpang” (passengers) in the country during her speech at the start of the celebration on Aug 12.

Thousands 'stateless' in M'sia still British: Hindraf

Human rights movement Hindraf Makkal Sakthi has discovered, after extensive legal research in London, that several thousand so-called stateless people in Malaysia are in fact still British subjects. According to Hindraf, the 'stateless' are therefore entitled to British citizenship and nationality “if denied citizenship and nationality in Malaysia despite the independence agreements”. This claim by Hindraf is based on declassified colonial and British government documents extensively available at the National Archives of the United Kingdom in London. It has been estimated by Hindraf that among ethnic Indians alone in Peninsular Malaysia, there are 150,000 British subjects.

Hope and despair of a Sri Lankan refugee

KUALA LUMPUR: “We were a thriving community in Sri Lanka, self-sufficient and never depended on the government for anything but the Singalese government continued its oppression against us for 30 years.”
These were the words of 27-year-old Sri Lankan M Kathir who was just released along with 62 of his compatriots after having being detained by the Malaysian authorities for more than 100 days.The 62 were released by the Immigration Department after their protection order lapsed on Aug 8.

Kugan's mother finally submits petition to King

A Kugan's mother N Indra finally succeeded, in her third attempt, to submit a petition to the Yang diPertuan Agong, seeking his intervention to ensure justice for her son who died while in police custody.The earlier two attempts times, in September last year and March this year, failed. The lawyer representing Kugan's family, N Surendran, and MP Kapar S Manickavasagam accompanied Indra to the palace gate.

Make poverty history

Study reveals one-third of workers earn less than RM700

PETALING JAYA: Some of us can walk into a boutique at a shopping complex and select a shirt without worrying too much about the price.Little do we realise there are those out there who struggle to make enough to fill their stomachs, let alone buy clothes.That is the situation facing some Malaysians living in Kuala Lumpur, who have to account for every single sen in their daily spending.A study on wages in the country, initiated by the Human Resources Ministry, revealed around one-third of about 1.3 million workers earned less than RM700, just below the poverty line of RM720 a month.

Cabinet committee for Indians swings into action

The recently-formed special task force to implement the decisions of the Cabinet Committee for the Indian Community will launch its first programme on Sunday aimed at addressing the various woes faced by the community.Dubbed the '1Malaysia People-Friendly Programme', it would be held at the Dewan Harmoni Simpang Tiga in Ijok, Kuala Selangor from 1pm, Human Resources Minister S Subramaniam said.

Be a little sensitive, DBKL told

KLANG: DAP leader Charles Santiago has urged Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to be more sensitive when handling issues concerning plantation workers.Commenting on the Bukit Jalil estate fiasco, the Klang MP said: “They have lived there for several decades and DBKL should provide them with appropriate compensation before asking them to vacate their houses.”

USM's top student bags four awards

Yet another twist to RM4 million Tamil school fund

SHAH ALAM: A new twist has surfaced to the “mode of disbursement” of the RM4 million funding for Tamil schools in Selangor. A group of PKR members have apparently met with Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim and tried to convince him and other top-level leaders to set up an independent body to manage the fund.Speaking on condition of anonymity, a source said they were trying to convince the MB to channel the funds through a soon-to-be-established independent body, which the source said will be helmed by prominent people."Yes, we have invited some prominent peoples to join the independent body. Some of them have agreed, while others have asked for time to think about it," he said.

Minister never said he had 16 meetings with residents

KUALA LUMPUR: Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam did not state that he held 16 meetings with the Bukit Jalil residents, whose houses are slated for demolition, said his press secretary E Sivabalan.He was responding to news reports which quoted a representative of the residents, K Balakrishnan, as saying that the residents had only met the minister once.According to Sivabalan, the minister had told a press conference on Aug 6 that the National Union of Plantation Workers (NUPW) and its representatives had 11 rounds of discussions with the Federal Terri­tories and Urban Well-being Ministry and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and another 16 meetings with officials from the Manpower Department.

NGOs: Not a single Tamil school left out

KUALA LUMPUR: Not a single Tamil school in Selangor was left out in the programmes carried out by the three NGOs, which were given RM1.6 million by the state government.Coordinator of the programmes K Arumugam told FMT that at least two programmes were held at each of the 97 schools in the state and were carried out between June 2009 and March this year.

Bkt Jalil crisis: PM hits the brakes on bulldozers

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has instructed the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to postpone its demolition of houses in Bukit Jalil until an amicable solution is reached. Yesterday, the former estate workers had submitted a memorandum to the PM's Office, asking for more time to consider the new offer from DBKL.Contacted this afternoon, Federal Territories and Urban Well-being Deputy Minister M Saravanan confirmed the matter.He said Najib, who is currently overseas, had called his boss Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin yesterday and told the minister to defer the demolition.

US-based HAF calls Banggarma verdict 'religiously discriminatory'

KUALA LUMPUR: US-based The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) has condemned the Penang High Court decision to deny 28 year old Siti Hasnah Banggarma the right to change her religion back to Hinduism.
After a long, drawn out court battle, Banggarma was left with little hope as Justice Mohammed Yacoob referred the case contesting her conversion to the Syariah Court.Banggarma, born a Hindu, claimed that state authorities forcibly converted her to Islam at the age of seven while she was under the care of a government-run orphanage.

After Ling, GAS wants Samy hauled to court

SHAH ALAM: When former MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik was hauled to court recently, it sent a chill down many a powerful spine. Suddenly, the notion that some were above the law had been shattered.Certain quarters saw it as an election gimmick, crafted to exhibit the government's seriouness in dealing with corruption without fear or favour.Inspired by this, several former MIC leaders now want the party's long-term president S Samy Vellu to face the music for his alleged misdeeds as well.

Boy: I was slapped, kicked by police for no reason

KUALA LUMPUR: A 14-year-old boy has claimed that he was repeatedly slapped, kicked, and handcuffed till his wrist was badly injured by a police constable when he was arrested for no apparent reason.The boy further alleged that during detention on Tuesday night, he was threatened and forced to sign a document to "confess" to his crime-- sexually assaulting a young girl.Recounting his traumatic experience, M Mugelen said he was taking a swim with his friends at a pool at the Pantai Hill Park condominium at about 7pm with four other friends when police approached them.

Bkt Jalil folks want more time, seek PM's help

BUKIT JALIL: The 41 families, whose houses are on the brink of being devoured by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) bulldozers, have turned to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak for help.This morning, the residents submitted a memorandum to Najib's office in Putrajaya, requesting for more time to decide on a new offer made by DBKL.After living and working in the Bukit Jalil estate for decades, the residents felt that DBKL's three-day grace period to them to make such an important decision was simply unfair.

Save MIC, Barat Maniam tells Najib

PETALING JAYA: A former MIC division head today accused the party’s top leadership of abandoning the Indian community only to ensure that party president S Samy Vellu remain in power.V Subramaniam, better known as Barat Maniam, called on Barisan Nasional to remove Samy Vellu from power, saying other MIC leaders were “too beholden” to him to initiate change from within.“It’s up to the BN chairman now,” he said, referring to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

Banggarma is a Muslim, declares High Court

GEORGE TOWN: The High Court here today ruled that a 28-year-old ‘Hindu’ mother of two is a Muslim.
In delivering his 40-minute oral judgment, Judicial Commissioner Yaakob Sam said S Banggarma should refer her case to the Syariah Court to resolve any disputes arising from her ‘conversion’ to Islam.Yaakob said that documents produced by the four defendants were sufficient to prove that Banggarma was a Muslim.
“Based on the documents produced by the relevant authorities in the court, I'm satisfied that the plaintiff is a Muslim.“So her case should be referred to the Syariah Court,” he said.

On brink of demolition, Bkt Jalil residents ready for battle

KUALA LUMPUR: Come tomorrow, bulldozers are expected to rumble into the Bukit Jalil estate to tear down the houses there. But the residents will not back down and are gearing up for battle.In their words, some 41 families are prepared to take “all possible action” to thwart the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) from bringing their roofs down.Even the possibility of facing the wrath of the police's baton-charging Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) will not deter them from the standing their ground.The final eviction order to the residents, dated July 20, ends at midnight.

Murugiah: No conditions by MIC

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Senator T Murugiah has denied an online newspaper report that he was given two weeks by the MIC to bring in his supporters.He said the Malaysiakini's report yesterday was false and questioned the credibility of the sources.Murugiah, who was fomer People's Progressive Party (PPP) youth leader, said MIC president S Samy Vellu did not set any condition when he joined the party.

State exco Halimah takes charge of Tamil school fund

SHAH ALAM: Selangor state exco Dr Halimah Ali said that state government allocations to help raise Tamil school education will no more be managed by Xavier Jeyakumar but herself. She said this after a meeting with parents of Tamil school students who were unhappy that the state government allocated RM1.6m to three NGOs to run the Tamil School Programmes.

We were once 'Malaysians'

I have played some small role in the life of this nation, but having been on the wrong side of one or two political fights with the powers-that-be, I am not as close to the young people of this country as I would hope to be.History and the 8 o'clock news are written by the victors. In recent years, the government's monopoly of the media has been destroyed by the technology revolution.