MORE PICS & Video – Najib’s Goodies for the Indians to Vote BN – Samy’s 7 Urgent Demands; PM Abdullah Also Promises & a Hulu Trengganu Polytechnic

UPDATE:Friday February 8, 2008; MYT 4:39:34 PM - another MIC effort - to fish back the votes for BN; it is too late Samy- gone already, the Community has decided long time back, No more trust in BN

MIC's vote-seeking squads

KUALA LUMPUR: All the 3,700 MIC branch chairmen have been directed to form 20-member squads to secure the Indian votes for Barisan Nasional in the coming general election. Party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said said the branch chairmen had been directed to form the squads, which would comprise Wanita, Youth, Puteri and Putera representatives. “The squad’s main purpose is to identify each of the party’s 518,500 members who have registered as voters,” he said in a statement. The party has 630,000 members. The Works Minister said the squad would go on house-to-house visits and ensure the votes go to Barisan. “It is also important for the squad members to ensure that each of the voters turn up and cast their votes on polling day. “Apart from the MIC members, the squad will also target other registered Indian voters in their areas and secure their votes for the Barisan,” he said.

Samy Vellu said the branch chairmen were directed to activate the squads as soon as possible and not wait until Parliament was dissolved. “I have also directed them to have regular meetings with squad members to monitor the visits,” he said. Samy Vellu said the MIC would work hand in hand with Umno, MCA and other component parties to secure Indian votes, as has been the practise in previous general elections. He said the party would also cooperate with the Indian Progressive Front led by Tan Sri M. G. Pandithan in securing the Indian votes. “We will also seek the help of our friendly Indian-based NGOs to deliver the Indian votes,” he said, adding that the MIC has embarked on a concerted effort to ensure a bigger victory for the Barisan. Samy Vellu said Indians comprised about 10% of the registered voters in 62 parliamentary and 130 state seats. “This is a significant number and the MIC’s role is to bring in these votes for Barisan,” he said.

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ABOVE: Samy Vellu is really "short sighted" now or he had been wearing "contacts" all along. Probably in this meeting, he was summoned also at very short notice and had no time to put on the contacts or he has to put on spectacles to see for himself as the PPP chairman Kayveas said "real time" - what is happening at the grass roots.
BELOW: According to Najib, Samy Vellu is equivalent to "Several Ministers"
(watch & listen to the video Clip, link below) - the Super MINISTER
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It was a final desperate eleventh hour effort by Samy Vellu & MIC to rally the grassroots leaders to stamp the receding tide of support for BN by the Indians after efforts using the youths failed miserably. Well over 3700 chairman and elected reps were at short notice called to the Putra World Trade centre to attend this urgent 1-day convention in which the DPM Najib appealed to the Indians for the continued support to BN in return for the “goodies” which include some of the following 7-point demands submitted by Samy Vellu several months ago. Well, how will the grass roots be convinced when they don't want to know anymore with these bargaining tricks from BN and especially with the Hindraf 5 leaders suffering in Kamunting under ISA detention. This is GE 2008 post-Hindraf rally, no more Ijok. Even the release of the Hindraf 5 now would be of no use as the Indian Community is determined to use this GE 2008 to put Samy Vellu in political oblivion.

The 7 Urgent Demands from MIC:

1. ensure equitable participation in the share market;
2. greater Indian intake in public universities;
3. greater employment opportunities, especially in the public sector;
4. increase the number of government scholarships;
5. greater access to entrepreneurship training and micro-credit loans;
6. an effective urban poverty eradication programme; and.
7. the establishment of a dedicated mechanism to monitor and evaluate the delivery of public sector services in a just and fair manner.

Meanwhile over in Trengganu, PM Abdullah was offering new goodies in the form of an Ulu Trengganu Polytechnic assured the Indians that “requests could be met or were appropriate for consideration, it would approve them”
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February 03, 2008 20:56 PM;

Government Considers Genuine Requests - PM

ABOVE & BELOW: PM Abdullah "satu lagi BN Project" announcement in Trengganu to try and hold on to Trengganu in which PAS is try to take back

HULU TERENGGANU, Feb 3 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawsaid Sunday the government is always prepared to consider any request from any race which it feels appropriate and genuine. The Prime Minister said if the government felt that the requests could be met or were appropriate for consideration, it would approve them. "I'm confident that when all the details are submitted, God willing, action can be taken because we adopt a positive attitude on the people's requests. "Whenever the complaints, requests are right, genuine, appropriate, definitely we will consider them... whatever we can give, which are appropriate, we will implement. This is the principle we uphold all this

while in the development of our country," he told reporters after laying the foundation stone of the Hulu Terengganu Polytechnic, here Sunday. Abdullah was asked to comment on the MIC request to the government to resolve seven critical issues which had caused dissatisfaction among the Indian community including the imbalance in equity participation. MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu made the requests at the party's convention Sunday. The Prime Minister said the government always listened to the people’s grouses irrespective of their race and would not allow any community to be marginalised in the country's progress.

"The grouses are not only coming from the Indian community, we also hear such grouses from the Chinese, and Malays. What is important, the government will not neglect, isolate or deny them the opportunity from deriving benefits from the country's progress," he said. However, he reminded that in distributing the opportunities and benefits to the people, the government adopted a fair and equitable approach. Abdullah, who was accompanied by his wife, Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah, was in Terengganu for a one-day visit.
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February 03, 2008 15:54 PM
Najib Denies Govt Disregards MIC's Suggestions

ABOVE & BELOW: Najib & entourage arriving at this eleventh hour 1-day convention for Chairmen & elected reps

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 3 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today denied claims by certain quarters that the government has disregarded the views and suggestions of the MIC on improving the lot of the Indians in the country. "It is not true. I am refuting the claims that the government pays scant attention to whatever suggestions or views put forward by the MIC," the Deputy Prime Minister told reporters after opening the MIC's special assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre here. In fact, he said, the living standard of the Indians had improved due to the MIC's efforts. "The government always pays attention and strives to solve the socio-economic problems of the Indians in the country. "We should not allow ourselves to be tricked by the opposition who can say anything. But all this (development programme) is a commitment which the government is able to fulfil," he said.
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ABOVE & BELOW: The crowds were summoned at the eleventh hour and they were in no mood to clap

February 03, 2008 13:05 PM
Indians' Future With BN, Says Najib

ABOVE: The smooth and suave talker, trying hard to convince the Indian leaders present
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 3 (Bernama) -- The future of Malaysian Indians is with the Barisan Nasional (BN) and they must work within the system and not against it, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today. He reminded the Indian community that only the BN government could guarantee their future by continuing to improve their social-economic well-being. "Continue to place your trust with the Barisan. The Barisan is the future of Malaysian Indians and all Malaysians. The future will be better if you work within the system and not against it," he said when opening a one-day MIC special convention for branch chairmen at the Putra World Trade Centre. The convention, attended by about 3,700 branch chairmen and MIC elected representatives, is to prepare the party's grassroots machinery for the upcoming general election.

Najib said Malaysia cannot emerge as a developed nation by 2020 if any of the races, including Indians, were marginalised. "Do you think your future can be guaranteed by those staging street demonstrations? It is important to send signals to the Indian community that their future lies with the BN," he said.
He said the MIC and the Indian community had proven their loyalty to the Barisan and the government since independence. As such, he said, the MIC leaders and members must work hard to deliver a high percentage of Indian votes to the Barisan in the coming general election.
ABOVE & BELOW: The crowds were summoned at the eleventh hour and they were in no mood to clap

He said the Barisan government would do more for the Indian community. The Deputy Prime Minister said the Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan had been asked to increase the intake of Indians and non-Bumiputeras in the civil service. "(He has been asked) Make sure when they (Indians) apply (for jobs), don't just reject. Make sure the good ones are taken in. By doing that, it will increase employment opportunities for the Indians," he said.
Najib said more scholarships would also be given to Indians entering public universities and the bright ones would be sent to foreign universities. When they returned after completing their studies, they can join the civil service, he said. He said the micro-credit loans for Indian businessmen should also be increased. Najib said Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo had been asked to ensure Indians engaged in the scrap metal trade in the state be allowed to continue with their business.

Najib said the Indian community had progressed in many fields since Independence, adding that although they constituted only eight per cent of the country's total population, 26.6 per cent of the medical doctors are Indians, dentists (18.4 per cent), veterinarians (24.8 per cent) and lawyers (24.1 percent).

ABOVE & BELOW: These statistics may represent the Indians "upper crust" in the urban areas. What about the downtrodden in the decaying estates and the Indians shanty towns?. The Bumi figure is low as there are "too many" of them for a proper comparison.

Statistics showed the household income of Indians was RM3,215, higher than the national average of RM3,022 and RM2,522 of the Bumiputeras. "Hence, it's illogical to say we are carrying out ethnic cleansing on the Indians in this country, it defies logic totally. ”It's also not true to say Indians did not benefit from the nation's mainstream development," he said. Najib, however, said there were legitimate aspirations and grievances among the Indian community which needed to be addressed. On the general election, the Deputy Prime Minister said: "Everyone must work hard to ensure Barisan's victory because people are educated and their expectations are very high. "In fact, even in Umno, there was a time when we used to say you put a songkok also you can win, but now we are telling Umno members don't expect that to happen today," he added.

Elaborating on his speech at a press conference later, Najib said there was a need to consolidate under-enrolled Tamil schools. "What is important is not the number of pupils, but the quality of education that we provide to ensure upward mobility for the community," he said. He also said Malaysia-born Indian children without birth certificates should have access to education. He said the issue was discussed in the Cabinet and it was decided that village heads and penghulus would be asked to verify the children's status.

"Children born in Malaysia have the right to education. We are a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children," he said. On the temples' issue, Najib said the government would ensure relocation of temples was done orderly. He said the demolition of the Padang Jawa Temple in Klang in November last year, just a few days before Deepavali, should not be repeated.
"That was wrong on their part. We are sorry for that," he added. There are about 24,000 temples in the country.

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February 03, 2008 10:32 AM

MIC Wants Govt To Give Urgent Attention To Seven Issues - Samy Vellu

ABOVE: Samy last effort, begging for the goodies to come and rescue him. It is Too Late!

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 3 (Bernama) -- The MIC wants the government to immediately act on seven critical issues that have caused "uneasiness" among the Indian community, among them, equitable participation in the share market, says party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu. He said the issues should be resolved immediately as they have hindered the party's efforts to ensure the upward mobility of the Indians. "The Indians have very high expectations and are demanding from MIC greater inclusion, access and their rights in the socio-economic development on par with the other communities," he said at the MIC special convention for branch chairmen here today. Samy Vellu said the Indians wanted just and fair treatment from the government.

The one-day convention (hastily arranged) to prepare the MIC's grassroots machinery for the upcoming general election was opened by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. About 3,700 MIC branch chairmen and the party's elected representatives are attending the one-day convention.

ABOVE & BELOW: The MIC VIPs contemplating their exits after the GE 2008 & what more "tricks" can they & BN use to stop the floodgate of desertions of Indians from the MIC and BN fold. Even the release of the Hindraf 5 now would be of no use as the Indian Community is determined to use this GE 2008 to put Samy Vellu in political oblivion.
Samy Vellu said the MIC wanted the government to ensure equitable participation in the share market through the establishment of a special mechanism such as the Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) in order to attain the three per cent equity target by 2020. The other six issues are to ensure a high number of Indians have educational opportunities in public universities, especially in critical courses, provide greater employment and promotional opportunities in the public sector, increase the number of government scholarships, greater access to entrepreneurship training and micro-credit loans.

The establishment of a more effective urban poverty eradication programme to address the socio-economic dislocation of urban squatters and flat dwellers, and the setting up of a dedicated mechanism to monitor and evaluate the delivery of public sector services in a just and fair manner. Samy Vellu said the MIC could only complement the programmes provided by the government for Indians but these initiatives were not sufficient to re-alter the socio-economic disadvantage of the community. The Works Minister was confident that the government would take speedy action on the seven issues which have been forwarded to the government several months ago. "We have been continuously discussing with the government to resolve these issues and I am confident of a speedy solution," he added.

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February 02, 2008 20:28 PM
MIC Candidates To Be Announced After Okayed By PM

SUNGAI SIPUT, Feb 2 (Bernama) -- The MIC candidates for the upcoming general election will only be announced after the list is approved by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, said party president
Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu. "I will not announce (the names) even if there are changes (new faces) as I will first have to get the Prime Minister's approval as he is the Barisan Nasional chairman," he said after presenting Chinese New Year

goodies to residents of the Sungai Buloh Old Folk's Home here today. He said the MIC would be asking for the names of the candidates from the divisional chairmen only after the Prime Minister had announced the date for the elections. On reports that some Hindu Rights Action Front (Hindraf) leaders might contest in the elections on a DAP ticket, Samy Vellu said he was not bothered even if one of them would be challenging him in his constituency, Sungai Siput. "They can contest in any parliamentary or state seat as they wish," he added.

= == = =Watch the Video Clip (4 .08 mins) - Najib Appealing for the Indian Votes with his reasoning & and his Joke on Samy equivalent to Several Ministers

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2008/02/03
Should Samy Vellu stay or go?; By : Suganthi Suparmaniam; NST

KUALA LUMPUR: Should MIC party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu stay on as party leader, or should he make way for a successor? In political discussions, especially among the Indian community, this question has been raised frequently in recent weeks. Why now, especially after Samy Vellu has headed the MIC for almost 30 years? Perhaps, a commentary by Utusan Malaysia columnist Awang Selamat last weekarticulated the thoughts going through many minds today.
He noted that many long-serving Umno, MCA and Gerakan leaders had made way to new faces, but Samy Vellu still insists that his services are needed and

that he will continue to contest and lead the party. Outside the MIC, even among some of his colleagues within the BN coalition, the question is being asked whether Samy Vellu may meet the fate of leaders like Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu, long-serving Chief Minister of Penang, and Tan Sri Wan Mokhtar, who led Terengganu from 1974 until 1999. Both were removed by their constituents who felt that they had been too long

in office. But his loyalists within MIC reject such notions, saying that such talk and views are unfair to a man who has worked selflessly and devotedly for the Indian community and the MIC. Tebrau MIC division chairman M. Soorianarayan said Samy Vellu's leadership was much needed at times of crises like now because there was "no one as generous and committed to the Indians and the MIC like Samy Vellu".

"He is like the ancient King Karna, who was well-known for his generous heart. "People keep harping that because of him we only have one minister. "But they forget that we have various others sitting in different ministries as deputy ministers and parliamentary secretaries."

Federal Territory MIC chairman and national information chief Datuk M. Saravanan said MIC needed an experienced leader like Samy Vellu during crucial times when the opposition was exploiting allegations that the Indian community had not been well looked after. He said Samy Vellu had the experience and ability to counter the opposition and even party members who refused to toe the party line. With the whole country gearing up for the general election, Saravanan said Indians should focus on the election and not squabble among themselves.

Some of Samy Vellu's detractors are those who are no longer active in the party. Former MIC central working committee member K.P. Samy believes that the party chief should step down before the coming general election for the sake of the Indian community and Barisan Nasional. "He should call for a party election now. "That would be his biggest sacrifice if he really cares for the party and the community," said the party veteran of 35 years. He claimed that the Indian community was angry with Samy Vellu for failing to groom capable leaders who could take over from him. "He has been in the party for too long. It's time for him to step down."

But Samy Vellu has shown the qualities which show his value to the BN. Despite the agitation within the Indian community, he has managed to get Thaipusam declared a public holiday in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya and for the government to consider making it a national holiday as well. He also managed to get tens of thousands of people to turn up for the Ponggal festival in the federal territory, graced by the prime minister. Another former central working committee member and former Negri Sembilan MIC exco member, Datuk M. Muthupalaniappan -- whose differences with Samy Vellu are well known -- said that when a person had been in a position for very long, he would suffer lethargy. He said the rule that one should not continue to be in power for more than two terms must apply to all.
But in general, party insiders feel that they still need their leader – at least to lead them in this general election. "Let's be realistic. We can't change horses in mid-stream. "We need him now. But perhaps the time has come for him to consider relinquishing his post and ensure a new leadership is in place before the following general election is held," said a senior party leader aligned to Samy Vellu. Will that happen? Perhaps, that will be the subject of debate among MIC members after this election

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