Poor response to business loans for Indian students

Thursday June 5, 2008 - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Only 10 out of the 300 Indian students who graduated from Giat Mara centres and National Entrepreneurship Institute (Insken) had applied for business loans under the Young Indian Entrepreneurs Loan Scheme.

“The remaining 290 students should also make use of the opportunity to apply for loans to branch out in business,” MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said in a statement.

The loans are disbursed by the National Foundation for Economic Fund Group (Tekun) under the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development.

Yayasan Tekun had allocated RM3mil to be given out as business loans for graduates of Pusat Giat Mara and Insken.

Tekun entrepreneurs participate in various fields ranging from small cottage industries to modern technological industries, food, agriculture, manufacturing, and handicrafts for domestic as well as for export, and services.

Further information on the loan scheme can be obtained from the Social Strategic Foundation (YSS) at Level 5 Menara Manickavasagam, 1 Jalan Rahmat, 50350 Kuala Lumpur or contact YSS at Tel: 03-4041 5958 or Fax: 03-4041 5681.

MIC wants to meet IGP over rising crime among Indians

Sunday August 17, 2008 - The star

KUALA LUMPUR: The MIC has asked for a meeting with Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan for help over the sharp rise in crime among Indian youths over the past few months.

Its president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the community was alarmed at the recent spate of violent crimes involving its youths being reported in the media almost daily.

“This is a worrying trend and the MIC together with its youth wing and the YSS (Social Strategic Foundation) have decided to meet the police to find a quick solution.

“We’re inviting Indian youths from all quarters to also come forward with their own proposals on how to solve this pressing problem,” he said yesterday.

Samy Vellu said Indian students in the secondary schools should be tackled first to ensure they were not influenced by undesirable elements.

He said that anti-crime programmes aimed at the secondary schools were held a few years back and were a success but these had been scaled down due to lack of finances.

He said gangsterism and other crimes had resurfaced in secondary schools, citing a case where students belonging to a Gang 08 had a celebration in a school in Klang to commemorate the auspicious date 08-08-08 (Aug 8, 2008).

Police disrupted the celebrations held in a secluded area in the school and detained three gang members.

Samy Vellu said the MIC has also proposed that convicts released on parole should be given training under the government’s skills training programme.

Suhakam: Turn Indian youths away from crime

Friday August 8, 2008 - The Star

THE number of Indian youths involved in various crimes has increased tremendously, reported Tamil Nesan.

Malaysia Human Rights Commission’s Datuk N. Sivasubramaniam said Indian-based public and non-governmental organisations and political parties should shift their focus to these problems.

He proposed that the organisations take the initiative to identify problematic youths and conduct the necessary training so that they can lead normal lives.

He said MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu recently announced that the MIC Youth committee would discuss the matter with the police.

He said that most of the youths who left their studies halfway were involved in criminal activities and that the influx of foreign workers and lack of job opportunities were contributing factors.

He said there had been cases of frustrated youths who turned to crime as they were unable to get jobs even though they had the necessary qualifications.

Abdullah to open AIMST University’s new RM500m campus

KUALA LUMPUR: The RM500mil AIMST University (previously known as Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology) campus will be opened by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi tomorrow.

The state-of-the-art, self-contained campus on a 92ha site in Semeling, Sungai Petani, can accommodate 7,000 students.

There are 2,000 students currently pursuing Bachelor’s degree courses in medicine and health sciences, dentistry, engineering and computer technology, applied sciences and business and management.

The institution also conducts matriculation and foundation studies.

There are five hostel blocks, an administrative block, lecture halls, sports stadium, Olympic-size swimming pool, gymnasium and a multipurpose hall at the university, which is situated at the foothill of Gunung Jerai.

The university, a brainchild of MIC president Datuk Seri Samy Vellu, was mooted in 1996 when a fund-raising campaign was launched before the land was applied for from the Kedah state government in 1997.

Following approval in October 2001, AIMST University, the first private university in the northern region, started operations in a temporary campus in Amanjaya, Sungai Petani, before relocating to the new campus last year.

Samy Vellu in an interview said the Government had been helpful in providing RM250mil in grants while RM160mil more was raised through a bank loan for the construction of the university.

He also raised RM53mil while the remainder was collected by MIC branches.

“It was a great desire of mine to see the existence of this university and ... I feel satisfied now,” Samy Vellu said.

He said the university would help the Indian community to use education as a vehicle to uplift their status and remain competitive with other races.

Malaysiakini - Minister's silence on 'racist' teacher irks Indian NGOs

MY EXPRESSION :WAYs TO GET PROMOTED TO A BETTER SCHOOL???

Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein's continued silence on the case of a teacher who fired a volley of racial insults at her Indian students has irked the Coalition of Malaysian Indian NGOs.

In a statement, coalition secretary Gunaraj George said the teacher, who has since been transferred from SMK Telok Panglima Garang, had not only bullied the students but also sullied the entire Indian community with her verbal tirade.

"Given this, shouldn't the education minister say something about the entire episode which has not only traumatised the students but also deeply hurt the feelings of the Indian community at large?'' he asked.

He said it was also disturbing that the teacher appears to have been rewarded by being sent to a better school which is nearer to her home instead of being severely reprimanded.

"The minister must do what is right by the Indian community by not appearing to close an eye to the teacher's uncalled for behavior,'' he added.

Becoming rampant

The 35-year-old history teacher had on two occasions last month called Indian students in a Form Four and Form Five class ‘black monkeys’, ‘Negroes’ and ‘keling pariah’.

She had also said that Indians came from dogs and prostitutes and that the community's youths did not have testicles and that its women constantly menstruated.

"Isn't this serious enough for the minister to intervene? What else is he waiting for?'' asked Gunaraj.

He said that racism and abuse of Indian students were becoming rampant in certain schools and unless the minister does something about it the situation could get out of hand.

"It has also been brought to our attention that similar abuse is being leveled against students in a primary school in Taman Klang Jaya,'' alleged Gunaraj.

He said the Indian students there are constantly scolded by teachers and told to transfer to other schools.

Gunaraj said that five police reports have been lodged against the teachers to date from November last year.

He also commended the community leaders for speaking out and criticising the government’s inaction, demanding the teacher to be reprimanded accordingly.

'Sack the teacher'

Yesterday, MIC president S Samy Vellu called for severe action to be taken against the teacher, saying that he regarded her transfer as a form of appreciation rather than punishment.

Prior to this, MIC Youth's education bureau also expressed disappointment that the teacher had been let off the hook.

Also expressing displeasure over the 'light' sentence was the Malaysian Indian Business Association (Miba).

Its president P Sivakumar told Malaysiakini that the action taken against the teacher did not match the severity of the offence committed.

"A transfer would not teach her a lesson, it is almost as if she escaped unscathed.

"In fact, she should be sacked and we fail to understand why the ministry is viewing this matter so lightly. The Indian community is unhappy over this," he added.

Sivakumar said a stern action would deter other educators from repeating a similar offence, regardless of race.

MY EXPRESSION :WAYs TO GET PROMOTED TO A BETTER SCHOOL???

Samy: Take severe action against 'racist' teacher

MY EXPRESSION :WHAT MIC DOING???

MIC has urged the Education Ministry to take severe action against a teacher in Banting who uttered seditious and derogatory words against her Indian students recently.

In a statement today, MIC president S Samy Vellu said the party and the Indian community would not accept the teacher to be let off the hook with "a light sentence."

"It looks as if anyone who calls the Indian community with all sorts of unwanted words will not be punished, but instead sent to a better school," he added.

Samy was referring to the ministry's decision to transfer the 35-year-old history teacher to another school, located closer to her house, and attend counseling.

He questioned the decision by the ministry, saying that he regarded the move to transfer her to a smart school as "a form of appreciation. "

Samy Vellu said he would write to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to express the party's displeasure over the ministry's lack of stern action against the teacher.

"This sort of people (teacher) will give the government of Barisan Nasional a bad name and may reduce the support of the Indian community," he added.

The veteran politician felt that the ministry should be more sensitive to matters of this kind where an entire community was insulted by a teacher who was a government servant.

He said the director-general of the education department must personally look into the case as such incidents could destroy the basic foundation of cooperation in this country.

Apology not good enough

Early this month, two students from SMK Telok Panglima Garang in Kuala Langat filed police reports against the teacher.

They revealed that the teacher had called Indian students 'keling pariah', 'Negro' and 'black monkeys', amongst other derogatory names.

In their reports, the Form Four and Form Five students said the teacher also told students during class that 'Indians came from dogs', Indians are 'children of prostitutes' and the community is 'stupid'.

She also supposedly stated that the community's youths 'do not have testicles', 'always menstruate' and indulge in 'thuggery and theft'.

Yesterday, MIC Youth's education bureau had also called for stiffer action to be taken against the teacher.

"This is an issue which touches on racial sentiments. It does not involve an individual but refers to a large number of Indian students," said bureau chief M Saravanan.

"The teacher’s apology to the students and parents involved is not the best solution and does not diminish the gravity of her action.

"Transferring (to another school) is not a form of punishment or harsh (enough) punishment for a teacher who crossed the boundaries," he added.

Meanwhile, DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang had called on Education Minister Hishamuddin Hussein to explain why no stern action was taken.

MY EXPRESSION :WHAT MIC DOING???

MIC Youth bureau: 'Racist' teacher deserves sterner lesson

The MIC Youth education bureau is irked by how a teacher who hurled stinging racial remarks at her students had been let off the hook.

The teacher had since been transferred to another school in the same district, but the bureau argued that this was not a form of punishment at all.

In a statement, bureau chief M Saravanan expressed dissatisfaction with the Education Ministry regarding this matter.

"This is an issue which touches on racial sentiments. It does not involve an individual but refers to a large number of Indian students.

"The teacher's apology to the students and parents involved is not the best solution and does not diminish the gravity of her action," he said.

"Transferring (to another school) is not a form of punishment or harsh (enough) punishment for a teacher who crossed the boundaries," he added.

Police reports lodged

Earlier this month, two students from SMK Telok Panglima Garang in Hulu Langat filed police reports against the history teacher.

They revealed that the teacher had called Indian students 'keling pariah', 'Negro' and 'black monkeys', amongst other derogatory names.

In the reports, the Form Four and Form Five students said the teacher also told students during class that 'Indians came from dogs', Indians are 'children of prostitutes' and the community is 'stupid'.

She also supposedly stated that the community's youths 'do not have testicles', 'always menstruate' and indulge in 'thuggery and theft'.

Meanwhile, Saravanan said any action taken by the ministry must serve as a strong lesson for other educators.

He said the teacher had tarnished the dignity and professionalism of her profession and therefore was not qualified to be an educator.

He also quoted Deputy Education Minister Dr Wee Ka Siong as saying during an interview that if the teacher was found guilty, stern action such as even dismissal would be taken.

"Transferring (her) to another school is not a stern action as promised," said Saravanan.

The education bureau chief also stated that the teacher must open apologise to all quarters through the media.

He also noted that other teachers might do the same thing in order to get transfers to another school.

The statement also revealed that the points raised by the bureau were endorsed by the parents and residents in the area.

MY EXPRESSION :Is it that simple? well why not?

Racial abuse teacher gets ‘a better deal’

By : V. Shankar Ganesh

New Straits Times

BANTING: It obviously pays to hurl racial abuse at students, going by what happened to the teacher who did so at a school here.

The 35-year-old history teacher from SM Telok Panglima Garang was not only transferred to a smart school but to one located nearer her house.

To add insult to injury, no disciplinary action was taken against her.

It is understood that her letter of transfer stated that she was being transferred due to concerns for her security and not because she had committed an offence.

Several parents and non-governmental rganizations gathered in front of the school yesterday demanding an explanation from the headmaster for letting her off with just a slap on the wrist.

However, the headmaster refused to meet them, saying the matter was no longer related to the school since the teacher had been transferred.

Coalition of Indian NGOs secretary G. Gunaraj said the transfer showed the teacher had got away scot-free.

”In fact, she even got a better deal. She is now in a better school and one that is nearer to her house.”

He said this set a dangerous precedent as others may think they too can get away scot-free uttering racial slurs.

He said the Education Ministry should be serious in tackling the issue as what the teacher had done could affect racial harmony.

MY EXPRESSION :Is it that simple? well why not?

UUM Tamil Debate programme : Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu Trophy

THE “marketability” of Malaysian graduates is generally low due to a lack of creative and critical thinking skills, said Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam.

That was why foreign employers and organisations did not regard Malaysian graduates as their top choice, he said.

“This is a very disheartening fact,” he said when opening Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu Trophy Tamil Debate programme at Universiti Utara Malaysia on Thursday night.

To overcome such stigma, students should think creatively and critically as such ability would ensure they would succeed in whichever field they dabble in, he said.

“As future leaders, students should strive to be multi-talented and multi-skilled,” he said.

Subramaniam called on students to take full advantage of programmes initiated by the respective universities to sharpen thinking skills and take opportunities available to enhance leadership skills.

“Students should also sharpen their English language skills,” he said.

A total of 20 students from nine higher learning institutes participated in the debate.

UUM students representative council organised the two-day programme aimed at instilling debate culture and enhance critical and analytical thinking.

Participants touched on a host of issues such as education, culture and arts, economy and social development.

During the closing ceremony on Friday night, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said such programmes provided a platform for students to enhance their intellectual potential.

He called on university students to master public speaking skills.

“Employers will give priority to candidates who can communicate well and speak good English,’’ he said.

UUM team emerged champion in the debate competition for the second time in two years. They bagged home RM1,000.

Universiti Malaysia Pahang team and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) team won the second and third places respectively.

MIC to shed racist approach in tackling problems

SUNGAI PETANI, Sat.:

The MIC will shed the racial approach and adopt a multi-racial stance in dealing with the people’s problems, said party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.

He said problems facing the Indian community could only be resolved through a non-racist approach, as evident after the 2008 general election.

Samy Vellu said there must be understanding and respect among all races and a new give-and-take attitude.

“The MIC will continue to fight for the Indian community when its rights are infringed. But we will only ask what is rightfully ours, without infringing on the rights of the other communities,” he told reporters here today.

Earlier, the MIC chief had opened the second phase of the party’s re-branding exercise here involving hundreds of branch chairmen and party workers from Kedah and Penang.

He said the aim of the re-branding exercise was to allow branch leaders to put their minds together on how to re-build the party and regain the confidence of the Indians.

Samy Vellu added that the brainstorming session would also be used to chart strategies to face the Permatang Pauh by-election in Penang on Aug 26.

MIC YOUTH: BAR COUNCIL FORUM ON CONVERSION TO ISLAM

THE MIC YOUTH STRONGLY CONDEMNS THE TACTICS OF IRRESPONSIBLE GROUPS IN DISRUPTING THE BAR COUNCIL FORUM ON CONVERSION TO ISLAM IN KUALA LUMPUR TODAY.

THEIR ACTIONS IS A STEP BACKWARD TOWARDS THE UNITY AND RELIGIOUS HARMONY AMONGST THE VARIOUS RACES IN MALAYSIA ENVISIONED UNDER VISION 2020.

WE ARE DISAPPOINTED WITH THE GROUPS FOR FAILING TO ALLOW THE DISCUSSION OF THE ISSUES OF INTER-FAITH IN A MATURE AND RESPONSIBLE MANNER.

THE BAR COUNCIL HAS REITERATED THAT THE FORUM ON RELIGIOUS CONVERSION WAS NOT TO QUESTION THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 121 (A)

OF THE CONSTITUTION BUT TO ADDRESS THE CONFLICTS OF LAWS FACING FAMILIES CAUGHT BETWEEN THE SEPARATE JURISDICTIONS OF CIVIL AND SYARIAH LAWS.

THE MIC YOUTH REALISE THE NECESSITY OF THE ABOVE FORUM AS IT WILL CLARIFY CONFUSION OF THE CONCERNED GROUP AND WILL BE A BASE FOR GUIDELINE FOR THOSE WHO ARE LOOKING TO CONVERT TO THEIR ORIGINAL RELIGION DUE TO THEIR PERSONAL JUDGEMENT.

WE BELIEVE OPEN DISCUSSIONS AND DIALOGUES ON THE PROBLEMS ARISING OUT OF THE SYARIAH AND CIVIL COURTS SEPARATE JURISDICTIONS AND OTHER ISSUES TO RELIGIOUS CONVERSIONS ARE IMPERATIVE TO FIND SOLUTIONS.

THERE ARE SO MANY CASES WHERE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WERE AFFECTED BECAUSE OF THE CONVERSION IN AND OUT OF ISLAM. MANY WHO HAD CONVERTED WERE ALSO IN A DILEMMA AS THEY WERE UNABLE TO REVERT TO THEIR FORMER RELIGION..

WE STRONGLY BELIEVE THESE GROUPS SHOULD HAVE USED THE FORUM TO COME AND GIVE THEIR VIEWS INSTEAD OF ACTING HIGH-HANDEDLY AND FORCING THE CANCELLATION OF THE FORUM.

WE ARE DISAPPOINTED THAT THE POLICE HAD ALSO FAILED TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST THESE GROUPS FOR STAGING DEMONSTRATIONS AND HAD INSTEAD ASKED BAR COUNCIL TO CANCEL THE FORUM.

THE MIC YOUTH IS ALSO CONCERNED WITH THE STATEMENTS MADE BY CERTAIN LEADERS WHO HAD STRONGLY OPPOSED THE FORUM AS IT HAS CAUSED RESENTMENT AMONGST THE NON MUSLIMS

THEY SEEM TO HAVE IGNORED THE FACT THAT THE BAR COUNCIL HAS ALREADY CLARIFIED THAT THE FORUM WAS TO ADDRESS THE CONFLICTS OF LAW.

THEY SHOULD HAVE COME OUT WITH THEIR PROPOSALS IN ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF NON-MUSLIM HUSBANDS WHO ABANDON THEIR SPOUSES AND THEIR FAMILIES AND CONVERT INTO ISLAM RATHER THAN TO STOP A LEGITIMATE FORUM.

THE MIC YOUTH ALSO CALL ON HINDRAF TO PUBLICLY STATE THEIR STAND AS THE GROUP WHO OPPOSED THE FORUM WAS LED BY A PARTI KEADILAI RAKYAT MP. IS THIS WHAT HINDRAF GETS FOR SUPPORTING PKR IN THE GENERAL ELECTION?

T Mohan

National Coordinator,

MIC Youth

MIC mahu pembangunan ambil kira semua kaum

KUALA LUMPUR 7 Ogos - Pembangunan di bawah Pelan Bandar Raya Kuala Lumpur (KLCP) 2020 yang dirangka oleh Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) perlu dilaksanakan secara adil dan saksama kepada semua kaum.

Presiden MIC, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu berkata, pihaknya mahu pembangunan di sesebuah kawasan itu menyediakan kemudahan untuk semua kaum memandangkan ibu negara didiami oleh pelbagai kaum.

Menurutnya, perancangan tersebut juga perlu menyediakan maklumat serta laporan terperinci bagi memudahkan orang ramai memahami segala pelan yang dirancangkan di kawasan mereka.

Sehubungan itu, katanya, banyak kajian perlu dijalankan sebelum KLCP 2020 boleh diwarta dan dilaksanakan kerana terdapat banyak bantahan terhadap pelan tersebut.

Beliau berkata demikian selepas menghadiri mesyuarat kali ketiga KLCP 2020bersama pemimpin-pemimpin MIC di ibu pejabat parti itu di sini baru-baru ini.

Turut hadir, Pengerusi MIC Wilayah Persekutuan yang juga Timbalan Menteri Wilayah Persekutuan, Datuk M. Saravanan dan Naib Presiden MIC, Datuk S. Sothinathan.

Samy Vellu berkata, pada mesyuarat itu, terdapat beberapa perkara yang dibangkitkan terutama mengenai kuil, perumahan kos rendah serta sekolah Tamil.

"Satu laporan akan dibuat dan akan dibentang kepada DBKL sebelum 31 Ogos ini bagi membolehkan DBKL mempertimbangkan semula perancangan di bawah KLCP 2020," katanya.

Dalam mesyuarat tersebut, beberapa agenda dibincangkan iaitu mengenai tanah simpanan bagi sekolah Tamil, pembinaan kemudahan rumah ibadat, tanah perkuburan serta kawasan lapang.

Mengenai rungutan seorang penduduk tentang ketiadaan dokumen KLCP 2020 untuk dijadikan rujukan, Samy Vellu berkata, dokumen itu tidak boleh diberikan kepada semua orang kerana harganya mencecah RM300 sebuah.

Justeru, beliau menyarankan masyarakat India supaya hadir ke ibu pejabat MIC di Jalan Ipoh di sini bagi mendapatkan maklumat lanjut tentang pembangunan yang akan dilaksanakan di atas kawasan mereka.

Suhakam: Turn Indian youths away from crime

THE number of Indian youths involved in various crimes has increased tremendously, reported Tamil Nesan.

Malaysia Human Rights Commission’s Datuk N. Sivasubramaniam said Indian-based public and non-governmental organisations and political parties should shift their focus to these problems.

He proposed that the organisations take the initiative to identify problematic youths and conduct the necessary training so that they can lead normal lives.

He said MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu recently announced that the MIC Youth committee would discuss the matter with the police.

He said that most of the youths who left their studies halfway were involved in criminal activities and that the influx of foreign workers and lack of job opportunities were contributing factors.

He said there had been cases of frustrated youths who turned to crime as they were unable to get jobs even though they had the necessary qualifications.

Unite under one body, Indian groups urged

SELANGOR / Wilayah Persekutuan Indian Newsvendors & Booksellers Association president Datuk K. Muniandy has called upon Indian political parties and non-governmental organisations to set aside their differences and discuss the possibility of uniting under one body, Malaysia Nanban

reported.

He said the main problem was the lack of trust and the cooperation among the people. He said that at present the community was divided by affiliation to various political parties.

He said it was important for all Indians to be united under one umbrella in the interests of future generations and for the Government to consider their requests more favourably.

MIC Finds Flaws In KL Draft Plan

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 4 (Bernama) -- The draft of the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020, which seeks to further develop the federal capital up to 2020, has some major flaws which needs to be rectified, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said, here Monday.

"The draft plan states that the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur has only about 160,000 Indians, which I find strange. We have some 80,000 registered voters in Kuala Lumpur.

"If one family had two children, then we have to multiply 80,000 by four. The figure will stand at 320,000 Indians.

"This is only an estimate based on the registered voters. What about unregistered Malaysian Indians?

"Obviously there are some things that should be set straight before the draft becomes a policy," he told reporters after attending a briefing on the draft plan by Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur consultants at the MIC headquarters here.

He said the briefing, attended by all MIC division heads and office bearers, had clarified several issues that had been encountered by Indians living in the federal capital, which had about some 2.5 million people.

"We have studied the draft plan. We would submit our own recommendations on the plan to City Hall. Among the issues raised is the squatter migration to low cost flats, facilities at low cost flats, future and existing Tamil Schools and the fate of individual-owned land in Kuala Lumpur," he added.

The MIC chief also wanted City Hall to provide accurate figures and statistics concerning Indians in the draft plan, as those reading it could come to a fair and just conclusion and make appropriate recommendations.

"This plan charts the future of the city for the next 12 years. If we are not given proper facts and figures, then our recommendations would also be flawed.

"It would be better if Dewan Bandaraya tells us the exact figures and we work from there," he added.

The briefing was also attended by Federal Territories Deputy Minister Datuk M. Saravanan. The draft structure plan which involved proposals to guide the development of an area covering 243 square kilometres in Kuala Lumpur until 2020 would be gazetted after obtaining feedback from the public.

-- BERNAMA