Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders were caught by surprise yesterday when they found out that a Putrajaya commissioned outfit, which focusses on Tamil schools, was now their neighbour.
Hindraf de facto leader P Uthayakumar expressed astonishment at the location of the newly set up Action Plan for Future of Tamil Schools, which operates under the Prime Minister’s Department, had set up shop next door.
“This is the first time that an office under the Prime Minister is positioned outside the administrative capital in 55 years.
“Clearly this is a propaganda attempt to convey the image that the government is working with the grassroots Indian community, like Hindraf,” said Uthayakumar, whose organisation is a fervent campaigner for Tamil community issues.
Uthayakumar accused Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak of pretending to connect with the Indian poor in order to canvass for their support.
He added that the government should be taking direct steps to improve Tamil schools instead of coming up with action plans which are never fully implemented.
“SKJ (T) Jalan Bangsar is just a stone’s throw away, yet they don’t have full aid from the government, or even a school field,” he pointed out.
Accessibility
However, the new office’s coordinator NS Rajendran expressed surprise when told by Malaysiakini that his office was located next to Hindraf headquarters.
“I chose this location because I need to consult with all the stakeholders and groups involved with Tamil Schools, and this place is easily accessible by the public,” he said.
Rajendran explained he was asked by Najib to come up with the action plan within one year, but not all of the problems faced by the schools were easily solved.
“For an example, there is no space to allocate new land to the Bangsar Tamil school, we are looking into it,” said the Sultan Idris University of Education (UPSI) professor.
When asked if he would be reaching out to Hindraf to get their views, Rajendran replied: “I will talk to anyone, including them, for the sake of getting input for the future of Tamil schools”.
Hindraf de facto leader P Uthayakumar expressed astonishment at the location of the newly set up Action Plan for Future of Tamil Schools, which operates under the Prime Minister’s Department, had set up shop next door.
“This is the first time that an office under the Prime Minister is positioned outside the administrative capital in 55 years.“Clearly this is a propaganda attempt to convey the image that the government is working with the grassroots Indian community, like Hindraf,” said Uthayakumar, whose organisation is a fervent campaigner for Tamil community issues.
Uthayakumar accused Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak of pretending to connect with the Indian poor in order to canvass for their support.
He added that the government should be taking direct steps to improve Tamil schools instead of coming up with action plans which are never fully implemented.
“SKJ (T) Jalan Bangsar is just a stone’s throw away, yet they don’t have full aid from the government, or even a school field,” he pointed out.
Accessibility
However, the new office’s coordinator NS Rajendran expressed surprise when told by Malaysiakini that his office was located next to Hindraf headquarters.
“I chose this location because I need to consult with all the stakeholders and groups involved with Tamil Schools, and this place is easily accessible by the public,” he said.
Rajendran explained he was asked by Najib to come up with the action plan within one year, but not all of the problems faced by the schools were easily solved.“For an example, there is no space to allocate new land to the Bangsar Tamil school, we are looking into it,” said the Sultan Idris University of Education (UPSI) professor.
When asked if he would be reaching out to Hindraf to get their views, Rajendran replied: “I will talk to anyone, including them, for the sake of getting input for the future of Tamil schools”.
Since 2007, Hindraf have sent numerous letters to the Prime Minister's Office detailing 18 of its demands.
Among others, the group wants the premier to guarantee mother tongue education and turn all Tamil schools to fully aided schools.
The group argued that Tamil schools are mostly dilapidated and should receive government aid while retaining its characteristics.
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