BN amendments: MIC rejects majority decision

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC is firmly against Barisan Nasional's proposal to abolish the consensus-system in favour of a majority based decision, said its president S Samy Vellu today. “We have deliberated the matter in the Central Working committee (CWC) and we will stand firm by our decision,” he told reporters after chairing the CWC meeting at the party headquarters here.Yesterday, FMT reported that several controversial amendments were in the pipeline to be tabled during the Nov 28 BN convention. Among them is to scrap the consensus system.

MIC upset with PMR question

KUALA LUMPUR: The MIC expressed dismay over a question in the Pernilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) History examination paper, which portrays as though Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools were a hindrance to national unity. SK Devamany, who was an academic before deciding to plunge into the world of politics, said such questions were contrary to the philosophy of education and "I believe this kind of questions were in the paper with bad intentions".

Crime prevention bureau to tackle Indian ills

PETALING JAYA: The newly-set up Malaysian Indian Visionary Association (MIVA) launched its Crime Prevention and Police Affairs Bureau today (yesterday) aimed at addressing the soaring crime rate among Indians. MIVA president V Mugilan said the bureau will conduct programmes to educate Indian youths on the ills of gangsterism and the soaring crime rate prevalent in the community.In addition, it will educate Indians of their basic rights which he claimed many lacked knowledge of.

Samy Vellu: It was time to go

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — MIC’s longest serving president, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said yesterday that he had no regrets over his decision to step down in January next year, as the party needed a new leader.
He said with the changing political scenario and landscape, the party faced great challenges and needed more young and capable leaders to serve the Indian community.“So, I thought it is the time for me to leave and give them the opportunity to lead and serve the community and I’m very happy with that.

HRP wants to cut a deal with Pakatan

The Human Rights Party Malaysia (HRP) wants to engage Pakatan Rakyat in talks with a view to cooperating in the sharing of election seats in the forthcoming 13th general election.HRP national information chief S Jayathas said their common political enemy is BN."In the last election Hindraf was the deciding political factor in making Pakatan shine in five states and denying BN a two-thirds majority.""HRP, which is Hindraf's political wing, has been in existence for almost one-and-a-half years now. "But PKR, DAP and PAS have refused to even engage in a dialogue with us.

Lawyer and trio charged with Banting murders

Lawyer N Patmanabhan, 41, and three farm workers were charged in the Teluk Datok Magistrate's Court in Banting with the murder of cosmetics queen Sosilawati Lawiya and three men.The farm workers T Thilaiyalagan, 19, R Matan, 20, and R Khatavarayan, 30.No plea was recorded from the four accused who were seen to be calm as the charge was read out to them, in Bahasa Malaysia for Patmanabhan and in Tamil for the others.

Yen Yen's visit Down Under cost RM245,000

A total of RM244,720 was spent by Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen and her aides during a ten day “promotional visit” to Australia and New Zealand last month. According to a written reply to Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah), the Tourism Ministry said that the minister was accompanied by a companion and a senior government officer.Fong asked the ministry to state the total expenditure of their 10-day mission and to describe the “inspirations” attained from the trip which can be applied locally.