Time to honour election pledges, Samy reminds PM
Malaysiakini.com
May 21, 2008 

MIC president S Samy Vellu today reminded Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to honour all election pledges made by Barisan Nasional before the March 8 general election.
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According to a Bernama report, Samy Vellu said that the time had come for Abdullah, who is also the BN head, to turn into reality all the promises made to the people by the ruling government before the polls.

samy vellu mic"While the MIC fully backs the leadership of Abdullah as prime minister and BN chief, we feel it is his duty to ensure that all promises are kept.

"...and since it is now time to work, it is only fair that we ask him to fulfil the pledges," he said.

This remark by Samy Vellu will surely add more pressure on Abdullah who is already reeling from the constant calls made by his predecessor Dr Mahathir Mohamad for him to step down.

In his latest move Mahathir today urged all BN members of Parliament to hop out of the coalition as a way to force Abdullah to step down.

Mahathir has openly blamed Abdullah for BN's defeat in the general election. BN coalition parties like MIC, MCA and Gerakan were all almost wiped out with most of their candidates and leaders being defeated.

Samy Vellu himself was defeated in his Sungai Siput parliamentary constituency, a seat which he has held since 1974.

MIC appeals for scholarships

Earlier Samy Vellu met Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Sidek Hassan to appeal on behalf of 187 Indian Malaysian high achievers who were denied Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships this year.

Samy Vellu said of the 187 students, three had scored 12 A1, seven (11 A1), 68 (10 A1), 66 (9 A1) and 43 (8A1) in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.

"I explained to the chief secretary the need to help these students. This is in line with our aspiration to create at least two professionals in every Indian family in the country.

"He was very receptive and has promised to do his best to help these students who have excelled in their studies," he told Bernama.

Currently, only 72 Indian students have received PSD scholarships, out of the 2,000 scholarships offered.

The former works minister also urged students, who had appealed through MIC, to inform the party headquarters if they receive fresh offers for scholarships.

"This will help us keep tabs on things. Previously, they didn't tell us if their appeals were successful or otherwise, making it difficult for us to gauge our efforts in securing government scholarships.

"The PSD will take some time to do the revision. In the meantime, I advise the students to remain calm and wait for the final list," he added.

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