Fundraising Dinner by the North Indian Community for AIMST

I am honored to be invited this evening to this exciting event which I am told is the first ever get-together of Punjabi Sikhs, Punjabi Hindus, Gujarathis, UP-ites and others from the North Indian community in Malaysia. I must congratulate the organizing committee and in particular Tan Sri Dato Dr K.S.Nijhar who has worked very hard in bringing all of you together. My appreciation also goes to all the dedicated and committed members.

I am told that you have come from all over the country, 5 buses from the Northern states, 4 buses from the south, over 150 from the east coast, 200 from Perak and about 100 from Malacca. All in there are 1,650 North Indians and this turn out together with your guests is indeed a very encouraging and positive sign of integration, harmony and oneness of our communities. You bring with you a rich tradition, heritage and experience which will enhance our contributions towards nation building.

The MIC is impressed and encouraged by the response of the North Indian community and we also welcome the 40 new branches and 3,000 new members into the MIC. This is a very happy occasion for me and I am confident that you will play a significant role in the party, the community and nation.

The Malaysian Indian Congress is a party for all Malaysian Indians. This is the foundation upon which the pioneer founders of the party worked so hard to establish that we have inherited. MIC has transcended sub-ethnic and socio-economic class distinctions in its endeavors to represent the interest of the total Malaysian Indian community in politics and government. One of the co-founders of MIC was a Sikh, Sardar Budh Singh who also served as the second MIC President. Kundan Lal Devaser, a Punjabi Hindu served as the fourth MIC president, prior to Tun V.T.Sambanthan. In addition Dato T.Mahima Singh served as the Member of Parliament for Port Dickson from 1959 to 1969.Now we have my dear friend Tan Sri Dato Dr K.S.Nijhar who is Member of Parliament for Subang and an elected Vice-President of the Malaysian Indian Congress. We go a long way together in politics and party work.

Politics is not only the art of public mobilization of people for political action but also the art of caring for people especially for the social well being of human beings in this modern society. While many of us here have managed to uplift our selves through hard work and taking hold of the opportunities available, but out there in the world there are thousands of people who need an additional push and support to enable themselves to move upward in life.

MIC has been and is doing its utmost for the well being of the community. I have realized over the years that education is the secret for social and economic upward mobility for our community. This is why we in MIC have devoted a lot of our attention to enlarging the educational and training opportunities available for young people in the country.

The establishment of TAFE colleges in Seremban and Kuala Lumpur is a step in this direction. Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology is a major effort of the MIC which complements the role of the government in providing higher education in the fields of medicine, science and technology. Our nation is in need of skilled, technical and professional workers and we feel that we can contribute greatly through AIMST to the creation of the skilled workforce to realize Vision 2020.

Your contributions this evening through this fundraising dinner are much appreciated. I can assure you that my door and the doors of the MIC leadership nationwide is open at all times to hear your problems as a community and together we will create a better world for all Malaysians.

Speech by Dato Seri S. Samy Vellu, Minister of Works and President of the Malaysian Indian Congress at the Fundraising Dinner by the North Indian Community for AIMST on September 27, 2002 at Sunway Lagoon Resort, Ball Room

(Submitted on 30th Sep 2002)