Thursday, May 30, 2013

Bersama Bahagian ANSOS; 30 Jun 2013

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

'Stop Bickering, Focus On Uplifting Indian Community - Experts', Bernama, 28 May 2013

Stop Bickering, Focus On Uplifting Indian Community - Experts

By S.Chandravathani

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) -- MIC leaders should stop bickering over positions and appointments, and focus on uplifting the Indian community, a researcher at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) said Tuesday.

"The Indian problems are huge and there is so much work to be done," said Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria, the Principal Research Fellow at the Institute of Ethnic Studies, UKM.

Dr Denison was commenting on the MIC's contention that it should head the Indian Affairs Unit, under the Prime Minister's Department, instead of Hindraf chairman P.Waythamoorthy.

Waythamoorthy has also been appointed as a Senator and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

"Why fuss about the appointment now, after Najib signed the memorandum of understanding with Hindraf last month, on setting up the unit. From the time the agreement was signed until his appointment, no MIC leaders raised any objections to the terms, which indicated an implementation role by Hindraf," he told Bernama when contacted.

While some have questioned the sincerity of Waythamoorthy and have accused him as a 'sell-off' to Barisan Nasional, Dr Denison said only time can tell if Waythamoorthy's sincerity is genuine, for self-interest or community interest.

"This appointment shows that Najib has honoured a promise made on April 18, this year. We need to recognise that the PM is keeping his word, based on the five-year blueprint signed," he added.

Dr Denison said Waythamoorthy, a non-political leader, might be able to focus on resolving issues and concerns, for the benefit of the bottom 40 per cent of the Indian community.

The appointment though was criticised by several individuals, including Waythamoorthy's own brother, Uthayakumar, who claims to be Hindraf's leader, for accepting the cabinet post and called him a political opportunist.

MIC Youth chief T Mohan also rebuked the appointment, saying that it would further weaken Indian support for the government.

Meanwhile, Assoc Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian of Universiti Sains Malaysia said Waythamoorthy's appointment was Najib's prerogative, because it was Najib who would account to the stakeholders for the five years in office.

Hence, he noted that the Hindraf chairman's appointment would specifically help deliver Barisan Nasional's manifesto, to bring positive change to the Indian community's socio-economic position.

"As he has already been appointed by the PM, it is better for both parties (Hindraf and MIC) to work closely to ensure the end result of the action plan, that will benefit the community. Leaders must stop fighting among themselves, and assist each other for national development," he said.

-- BERNAMA

'Berhenti Pertikai, Fokus Kepada Meningkatkan Kehidupan Masyarakat India - Pakar', Bernama, 28 Mei 2013

Berhenti Pertikai, Fokus Kepada Meningkatkan Kehidupan Masyarakat India - Pakar

Oleh S.Chandravathani

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) -- Pemimpin-pemimpin MIC perlu berhenti daripada mempertikai mengenai kedudukan dan pelantikan jawatan, sebaliknya menumpukan perhatian terhadap meningkatkan kehidupan masyarakat India, kata seorang penyelidik di Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) pada Selasa.

"Masalah orang India adalah besar dan banyak kerja yang perlu dilakukan," kata Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria, Felo Penyelidik Utama Institut Kajian Etnik, UKM.

Dr Denison mengulas mengenai rungutan oleh MIC bahawa wakil parti itu yang sepatutnya mengetuai Unit Hal Ehwal India di bawah Jabatan Perdana Menteri, bukannya pengerusi Hindraf P.Waythamoorthy.

Waythamoorthy juga dilantik sebagai Senator dan timbalan menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri.

"Kenapa bising dengan pelantikan sekarang, selepas Najib menandatangani memorandum persefahaman dengan Hindraf bulan lepas mengenai penubuhan unit itu. Dari masa perjanjian itu ditandatangani sehingga pelantikan beliau, tiada pemimpin MIC menyuarakan bantahan terhadap terma (perjanjian), yang menyatakan peranan pelaksanaan oleh Hindraf," katanya kepada Bernama ketika dihubungi hari ini.

Mengenai beberapa pihak yang membangkitkan mengenai keikhlasan Waythamoorthy, Dr Denison berkata hanya masa yang boleh menentukan sama ada keikhlasan Waythamoorthy adalah benar-benar untuk kepentingan masyarakat atau kepentingan diri.

"Pelantikan ini menunjukkan Najib menepati janji yang dibuat pada 18 April tahun ini. Kita perlu terima bahawa perdana menteri menepati janji berdasarkan pelan tindakan lima tahun yang ditandatangani," katanya.

Beliau berkata Waythamoorthy, seorang yang bukan pemimpin politik, mungkin boleh memberi tumpuan dalam menyelesaikan pelbagai isu untuk faedah 40 peratus golongan bawahan masyarakat India.

Pelantikan itu, dikritik oleh beberapa individu, termasuk abang Waythamoorthy sendiri, Uthayakumar, yang mendakwa dirinya pemimpin Hindraf, kerana menerima jawatan kabinet dan menggelarkan adiknya itu sebagai oportunis politik.

Ketua Pemuda MIC T Mohan juga tidak berpuas hati dengan pelantikan itu dan menyatakatan ia akan semakin melemahkan sokongan masyarakat India terhadap kerajaan.

Sementara itu Profesor Madya Dr Sivamurugan Pandian dari Universiti Sains Malaysia berkata pelantikan Waythamoorthy adalah prerogatif perdana menteri.

Oleh itu, beliau berkata pengerusi Hindraf yang dilantik khusus untuk membantu melaksanakan manifesto Barisan Nasional itu, perlu membawa perubahan positif kepada kedudukan sosio-ekonomi masyarakat India.

"Memandangkan beliau telah dilantik oleh perdana menteri, adalah lebih baik untuk kedua-dua pihak (Hindraf dan MIC) bekerjasama erat bagi memastikan hasil pelan tindakan itu, yang akan memberi manfaat kepada masyarakat.

"Pemimpin-pemimpin mesti berhenti bertengkar sesama sendiri, sebaliknya perlu membantu antara satu sama lain untuk pembangunan nasional," katanya.

-- BERNAMA