covered the MIC 65th AGM last week, nothing impressive but this is just what i think okay...
Except for the talks of an additional minister for the MIC and the speaker Tan Sri K. Kumaran’s antics in trying to control the delegates, the party’s recently concluded 65th annual general meeting lacked spark and substance.
While granting an additional minister to the MIC might solve problems in the party and legitimise Datuk G. Palanivel’s seat as the president, the question on everyone’s mind is how will that help the community.
It was also interesting to note that there was no mention of the 30 demands of the party in the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak speech but instead the announcement of the additional minister seemed to be overtaken by the course of
events.
“It was more of a show than a matter of substance. We have asked for so many things but nothing substantial was granted. How will a full minister be the answer to all our requests,” asked a senior party member who declined to be named.
The additional minister also may not necessarily translate into votes as talks of back door appointment would continue to haunt Palanivel unless he carries out drastic changes or proves he is not a person to be taken lightly.
Perhaps this had prompted the normally media shy and composed Palanivel to threaten to leave the Barisan Nasional if the coalition allows other Indian based party into the BN.
“Umno doesn't have any other Malay parties at the supreme level. MCA also won't allow another Chinese party into BN. If Umno allows other Malay-based parties to join BN, then we will also allow the same,” he had said in reaction to BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor statement that the MIC was blocking other Indian-based parties from joining the coalition.
His statement drew the ire of the Indian Progressive Front (IPF) president M. Sambanthan who said the statement seem to challenge Najib’s 1Malaysia concept and will only serve to further divide the community.
“If he thinks only MIC should be there to represent the community, then why are there so many Indian parties out there? Don’t belittle our contribution all these years,” he told the New Straits Times yesterday.
The lack of colour at the AGM could also be contributed to the fact that Palanivel was not a great orator like former president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu who would sing, recite poetry or joke with his audience.
But that audience is slowly changing where younger people are taking over, people who may not have the time for songs, jokes and poetry.
Perhaps, taking note of this, Palanivel did not waste his breath charming the audience, instead went on outlining the situation and needs of the community.
He asked Najib to look into 10 main issues including death benefit insurance scheme for all Indians, small businesses loan facility, scholarships, financial assistance for cultural and religious affairs and more jobs in civil service.
But a critic said instead of giving 30 long wishes, Palanivel should have instead focus on two or three issues and get the PM to commit or at least give a favourable answer to satisfy the people.
“We should have concentrated on only a few things, like the status of Tamil schools in the country or Felda like scheme for the Indians. That would have been better rather than handouts here and there,” said the former member of Parliament.
He also pointed out that many other requests read out in Tamil were not read in English by Palanivel, depriving many non-Tamil speaking guests to take note of what the community needed.
Palanivel certainly won the hearts of the delegates especially when he gave out about RM800,000 to 152 divisions to be used to run activities for Deepavali as grassroots leaders have always complained of lack of fund to run activities.
MIC Youth leader T. Mohan said the party returned united after the AGM and said there won’t be teams in the party as all were happy with the announcement of an additional minister.
“There won’t be another Samy Vellu - Subramaniam feud in MIC anymore,” he stressed.
