Stateless Indians, Subramaniam challenges PKR's Surendran

KUALA LUMPUR- MIC deputy president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam has challenged Parti Keadilan Rakyat to prove its claims that there were 300,000 stateless Indians in the country.

Dr Subramaniam, who is also the Human Resources Minister, also questioned the opposition’s agenda for the Indian community in the States under their rule.

He said the opposition was gearing up for the next general election with the only aim to win regardless of whether they were speaking the truth or not.

“With the government’s MyDaftar campaign, where counters are open even on weekends, we only had 15,000 Indians who came to us for help.

“If there are 300,000, as PKR claims, then where are they?” he questioned.

The normally quiet and soft spoken Dr Subramaniam challenged PKR’s vice-president N. Surendran to gather the 300,000 people whom he had claimed did not have birth certificates and identity cards.

“We are still continuing with the campaign to register those stateless.

“So, if you have such people, bring them and we will register them. Instead of doing that, you chose to protest,” he said at MIC Youth’s workshop, near here, yesterday.

He said the Pakatan Rakyat had no proper agenda to uplift the Indian community and is only interested in criticising what the Barisan Nasional and MIC was doing.

Citing an example, Dr Subramaniam said the BN government had given large amount of allocation to temples in Penang.

“We are the who gave RM800,000 to Sri Muniswarar Temple in Prai and RM1 million to Balathandayuthapani Temple or better known as the Waterfall Hill Temple recently. This is despite the Water Hill temple falling under the scope of the Hindu Endowment Board, which is under the Penang state government,” he said.

He also questioned what has Penang deputy chief minister II Prof P. Ramasamy contributed to the Indian community.

“What is the use of having a deputy chief minister when he cannot help the community? His post is merely a position with no power. In fact, MIC’s executive council members have done more than him.

“The opposition is only interested in criticising the MIC but has not come up with anything for the Indians. So, stop finding fault with us and tell us what you have done.”

Dr Subramaniam also called on Malaysians to be wary of Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, whom he said wears different hats with different people.

“He promises one thing to the Malays and another to the Indians and Chinese.

“He has not done anything to the Indians when he was in power and no one knows who is the real Anwar. So, how can you place your trust and future in the hands of such a leader,” he questioned.

- New Straits Times