Dr Denison Jayasooria : YSS Executive Director

The MIC assembly is the most significant political gathering for Malaysian Indians during the year, where critical issues and concerns are grappled with. While the party leaders have consistently over the year raised specific matters the occasion provides the full delegates to raise community concerns.

Five major themes are the focus of the assembly in addition to party elections and appreciation to PM for his service to community, nation and world. These themes are reflected in the Presidential address and the party resolutions.

Five Major Themes

The call by the MIC President, Dato Seri S. Samy Vellu is to forge ‘a new identity for Malaysian Indians in a globalised society’.

They are:

Political

Readiness & mobilisation of party machinery for the coming general elections. Additional seats requested.

Educational

Dual focus of the party on primary Tamil school education and at the tertiary level AIMST University. The call is for government to provide more funds & resources towards Tamil schools. In addition the request for just and fair allocation of places in public universities.

Economic

Urgent appeal for government action to enhance equity and business opportunities through small loans & special schemes. Issue of plantation wages receives appreciation, that the principle of daily wages is established but call for review of the quantum as RM350 is regarded as being too low.

Social

Commending government’s intervention in addressing social ills, calls upon agencies to strengthen implementation and delivery systems specifically targeting low income families in urban centres, as well as ensure effective representation through the National Social Council especially at the district level.

Reflections

Over the years I have noticed that the quality of debates have improved and the delegates are articulating substantive concerns. This year in my opinion two concerns are central:

Firstly, the resurgence of cultural and linguistic rights of minority communities. This was passionately debated. The delegates will have to balance this constitutional right for the Tamil language with relevance nationally with the Malay language and globally with English.

Secondly, the pragmatic urgency for economic and business advancement. Concern is expressed over the inaction of government agencies on the Indian equity and business opportunities as indicated in OPP3 and RMK8. Delegates spoke in appreciation for public policy pronouncements but lashed out over inaction on the part of implementation and delivery.

(Submitted on 10th May 2003)