‘Indian voters’ associations needed’

MIC's Vell Paari stresses on the importance of long-term plans to address the Indian community's woes, instead of making noise only when a controversy arises.

PETALING JAYA: A MIC leader has suggested that Indian voters’ associations be established nationwide to address the issues grappling the community.

According to party central working committee member S Vell Paari, this would ensure that the problems were tackled on a regular basis and not only during elections.

“We need a system which allows for long-term plans. This is the start of a new decade; 2011 is not another new year, but the beginning of a decade.

“In line with this, we need to formulate sound strategies and initiatives to aid the socio-economic betterment of the Indian community for the next 10 years and beyond,” he told FMT.

Vell Paari said the number of voters’ associations in a particular constituency should depend on the political demographics of the area, but stressed that all constituencies must have at least one.

Commenting on Sunday’s Tenang by-election which witnessed a surge in Indian support for Barisan Nasional, he said the results showed that the community, especially non-urban dwellers, was more concerned about bread and butter issues.

“They are troubled by micro, and not macro issues. They are not overly concerned about the GDP, the country’s economic growth rate or the FDI. Most of the time it’s about basic needs,” he said.

Vell Paari, who heads MIC’s unity and community development bureau, also noted that the Interlok controversy had failed to sway votes in favour of the opposition.

“Indian support for BN in Tenang increased compared to the figures in 2008 despite the opposition using the Interlok issue as a campaign fodder.

“This clearly shows that Indians in such areas or those from the lower income bracket are more concerned about micro issues and not literary debates,” he said.

Working with the opposition

Vell Paari said he had put forth his suggestion for the Indian voters’ associations to MIC’s CWC under the proposal to form the Indian socio-economic empowerment department (ISEED).

The department was mooted with the aim of reshaping, rejuvenating and reinventing the manner in which MIC served the Indian community.

Stressing the importance of unity in addressing Indian woes, Vell Paari said that opposition representatives could work together with their BN counterparts on the Indian voters’ associations.

“By doing so, we can push for certain things to be done for the community by the respective BN and Pakatan Rakyat state governments. It can serve as a common platform,” he added.

Meanwhile, Vell Paari cautioned the BN leadership against resting on its laurels following the by-election victories, thinking that Indian votes were once again in the bank.

“If the issues affecting the community are not tackled consistently, then the votes will swing once again as it did in the 2008 general election.

“We need to have a Malaysian Indian Agenda, and if this agenda is ignored, Indian votes will go MIA or missing in action,” he warned.

Reiterating the need for long-term goals, Vell Paari said the community and those who champion its rights should not “blow hot and cold” whenever a controversy arose.

“Everyone jumps on the bandwagon when there is a controversy, but after the dust settles, they go into hibernation. That should not be the case, we need to be consistent,” he said.

Declines new post

Vell Paari also revealed that he had declined to accept his recent appointment as MIC’s new media bureau chief.

The son of former party president S Samy Vellu said he had already notified his father’s successor G Palanivel of his decision via a letter.

“Personally, I feel that it will be an overlapping of duties with the task entrusted to S Murugesan (who was appointed information chief).

“The information chief is an office-bearer, and the post should not be broken up as in traditional and new media. Furthermore, I am confident that Murugesan will be able to handle it,” he said. - FMT