MIC: Who is Niat and Thasleem?

It is not even an official entity and it's ridiculous of its leader to expect MIC to inform him of Interlok's removal, says youth chief T Mohan.

PETALING JAYA: MIC leaders are livid at National Interlok Action Team (Niat) president Thasleem Mohd Ibrahim for calling MIC president G Palanivel a ‘liar’.

MIC Youth chief T Mohan said Palanivel had informed Thasleem of the goverment’s decision to remove Interlok in early November even though MIC’s not obliged to inform him.

“Who is Niat and Thasleem Mohd Ibrahim? Niat is not even an official entity and it is ridiculous of them to expect to be informed of the developments of the issue,” said Mohan.

“I believe Palanivel, out of courtesy, had informed Thasleem of the government’s decision to do away with the book when he met him at the Pantai Hospital in November.

“Niat should have the decency to realise that the government’s decision was due to MIC’s continuous engagement with the government on the matter.”

Mohan also accused Niat and Thasleem of claiming credit for the withdrawal of book with an ulterior motive of contesting in the 13th general election.

“Niat has been blowing their own trumpet, claiming that the decision to remove Interlok, was made because of the pressure they exerted on the government.

“That is not the case. It was that MIC’s role that led to the removal of the book. MIC was responsible for the formation of the independent panel which recommended amendments to the book.

“Palanivel was the first to raise the matter with Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his deputy, Muhyiddin Yassin, on the issue.”

Outburst uncalled for

On Tuesday, Thasleem rubbished Palanivel’s claims that Niat had prior knowledge about the government’s plans to remove Interlok from the school syllabus.

He called Palanivel ‘a great liar’ who always confused the community.

Palanivel claimed that Thasleem had prior knowledge that the novel would be withdrawn from the Form Five syllabus as he told Thasleem about the government’s decision.

MIC’s central working committee member A Sakthivel who is also Puchong division chief said that Thasleem’s outburst was uncalled for because Palanivel had not made a false statement.

“Where is the lie? Calling Palanivel a liar is totally out of context. I don’t see Palanivel having made a false statement.”

He urged all parties to focus on the future instead of quarrelling over Interlok which has been removed.

MIC CWC member KP Samy meanwhile said he was with Palanivel at the Pantai Hospital when the party president mentioned about the Interlok removal to Thasleem.

“I think to be fair to Palani, Thasleem should realise that he (Palani) cannot reveal all details of what is being discussed in the cabinet.

“And Thasleem should not have just jumped to brand Palanivel as a liar just because the MIC president did not give more details,” he added.

Education Ministry’s director-general Abd Ghafar Mahmud in an official statement last Wednesday, said that Interlok would be replaced by Konserto Terakhir.

Both Interlok and Konserto Terakhir were authored by national laureate Abdullah Hussain.