'MIC failed the community'
Malaysiakini.com
Mar 07, 2008
K Kabilan

A former MIC man and once close associate of party president S Samy Vellu said that the Indian community must realise that the party has failed to elevate their socio-economic status. MCPX

muguntha interview 070308 03AP Muguntha told Malaysiakini today that MIC does not have any blueprint or vision to uplift the community.

"What is the party’s results after more than 60 years of existence? What has it done with such a success that everyone is so proud of?" asked the former division leader from Kepong.

He said the main problem with the party is Samy Vellu, who has been at the helm since 1979.

sg siput pasar malam 280208 samy mobbed"He wants to do everything on his own. He alone can’t solve the problems of the Indians in this country," said the 47-year-old architect who used to be employed in Samy Vellu’s management consultancy firm in 1989.

"And the other thing is that there is no vision and proper implementation in whatever he wants to achieve for the community.

"He has not trained his team of leaders to do anything, thus it’s only all that he says and it ends there," he added.

Where's the blueprint?

As an example, Muguntha pointed out several programmes which the party said it will roll out as a result of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) wave which sparked an outburst of anger against MIC and the government among the Indian community.

hindraf british petition rally 251107 malaysian flags"Firstly Hindraf is not the reason for the the anger in the community. It merely triggered what was already simmering.

"And Samy Vellu immediately tried to pacify the community by listing out seven areas where the Indians were suffering," he said.

"What took him and the party so long to identify these issues?" asked Muguntha who is also the president of the Selangor Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

"Did they have to wait for Hindraf to act?" And even when they outlined the issues, they have not come out with a proper blueprint in achieving anything positive," he added.

He said MIC has a long history of not getting involved in problems affecting the community, instead it only concentrates on issues such as the setting up of education institutions and investment companies.

"I have personal knowledge of the party not being interested in solving the financial problems of the small traders in Selangor in early 2000. It did not come to their aid when they were suffering from the clutches of the illegal money lenders, neither did it do anything to get them micro-credit loans," he added.

Capable leaders sidelined

He also said Samy Vellu had the tendency to surround himself with people who do not question him. As a result, he said it was these ‘yes men’ who were promoted into party positions and many capable educated persons being sidelined.

Muguntha said he himself was one such victim when "the party tried to sideline my influence in the Kepong division by promoting outsiders and thugs during the 1997 divisional elections". He then quit the party after that incident.

muguntha interview 070308 02He said he party was relying too much on Samy Vellu and had failed to pave the path for capable young leaders to take over.

"Without any vision for the community, how is the party going to help the community?" he asked.

He added that Indian voters should vote wisely this time around to ensure that they do not continue to be left behind, even if it means voting for the opposition.

"Who said the country would collapse if we vote for the opposition? Don’t believe in all that spin.

"Look at India. See how often the ruling party changes but the country has not gone backwards. In fact it is seeing rapid development," he added.

Likewise, he said Malaysia too would be able to continue with its growth if it was ruled by the opposition.

"Think wisely and vote for people with vision," he added.

Copyright © 1999-2007 Mkini Dotcom Sdn. Bhd.
Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/79315