Latest news with #MSaravanan
Malaysiakini
7 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
All Indian lawmakers must fight for community's needs
MP SPEAKS | As the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) moves towards tabling in Parliament, we must recognise that this moment is crucial for the Indian community. Under the Madani government, there have been sincere efforts to address historical and structural challenges faced by Indian Malaysians. Through the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra), educational support, temple land assistance, skills training, and targeted community programmes, the government has shown its intention to include the Indian agenda in national development. These efforts are commendable. They show progress. But we must be honest. Progress without structure, without consistency, and without accountability will not deliver real transformation. The Indian community needs more than temporary programmes and token allocations. It needs a permanent place within the national policy framework. As the Klang MP, I have consistently raised these concerns at every available platform, including inside Parliament, in government discussions, and at the grassroots. I have highlighted the underrepresentation of Indians in higher education, the lack of upward mobility among Indian youth, the need for proper land solutions for temples and crematoriums, and the limited access to funding and training for small Indian businesses. But I say this with clarity and conviction. I cannot and should not be the only voice. I call upon all Indian parliamentarians from all political affiliations to stand up in Parliament and review the 13MP thoroughly when it is tabled. If the Indian community is underrepresented or its needs are vaguely mentioned, we must not keep quiet. We must speak with strength, clarity, and unity. This is not about attacking the government. It is about defending the people we represent. Emulate Saravanan I want to specifically acknowledge the strong and consistent voice of Tapah MP M Saravanan. Although he does not hold a cabinet position, he continues to be one of the most vocal defenders of Indian community interests. M Saravanan (left) meeting the people during an event when he was human resources minister circa 2022 His commitment shows that you do not need a ministerial title to fight for your people. You need will and courage. Every Indian MP must match that level of commitment. The time to wait and see is over. Our community is watching us. They are waiting for leadership, not excuses. I also urge Indian senators, appointed representatives, and leaders in government-linked agencies to study the 13MP carefully and to speak up if anything is missing. We cannot continue to be comfortable in our positions while our community remains at the margins of development. What to include in 13MP The Indian community deserves strong and lasting solutions, including: Fair and equitable access to education and skills training Legal and permanent land solutions for temples and burial grounds Structured participation in the digital economy and TVET pipelines Tailored microcredit and entrepreneurship support for Indian businesses Targeted youth and women empowerment programmes Representation of Indian professionals in national decision-making bodies Transparent monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to ensure delivery If these are not fully reflected in the 13MP, we must demand they be added through follow-up mechanisms, amendments, and budget frameworks. Parliamentary debate is not a formality. It is our chance to shape the national direction. We acknowledge the government's commitment. But commitment must now be matched with results. And those results must be fought for, not just by one or two MPs, but by every Indian elected representative in Parliament. Let the 13MP be remembered as the moment when Indian MPs stood united for the future of our community. Because silence is no longer an option. Our people have waited long enough. V GANABATIRAU is the Klang MP. The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
Malaysiakini
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
MP moots roundtable to ease Saravanan-Izzah row over Indian community
An MP is calling for a ceasefire after MIC deputy president M Saravanan took aim at his PKR counterpart Nurul Izzah Anwar over her alleged contribution to the Indian community. PKR lawmaker P Prabakaran said finger-pointing was not constructive, and that a more mature approach was required...
Malaysiakini
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
MIC should address lack of political will to help Indians first
LETTER | MIC should question the lack of political will first before the submission of proposals. If it could not assist the Indian community during its heyday, what makes MIC deputy president M Saravanan think that the party might be seriously considered as the representative of the community? There is much talk about what holds for the Indian community in the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). MIC has apparently forwarded proposals to be considered for the betterment of the Indian community under the plan. If the Indian community has virtually abandoned MIC, what makes the party leaders think that the government will give them their due recognition? MIC, unfortunately, is the case of shutting the doors of the stables after the horses have bolted. It would be a Herculean task to bring back Indians within its political fold. Rather than pretending to be the representative of the Indian community, it should resort to the management of the party's properties acquired through the financial contributions of the rank-and-file Indian working class. There never existed a powerful political will on the part of the earlier BN government or the present pretentious Madani government to seriously look into and address the social and well-being of the Indian community. Indians' contributions forgotten The community that sacrificed and contributed so much to the development and well-being of the nation remains a discriminated and shunned ethnic community. The riches contributed by the community have been passed to others who are not as deserving as they are. MIC can put up with hypocritical pretensions about its representative nature, but the stark ignominious fact remains that it too had a hand in the marginalisation of the community. Contradictions between MIC leaders and the rank-and-file members or Indians are sharp and divisive. One wonders whether the presence of these class divisions between the leaders and those led would not compromise the representative nature of the party. Such is the contradiction between those who pretend to represent the community and those segments of the Indian population that have missed out on opportunities over the years. If there is no political will on the part of the Malay hegemonic elite to respect the rights of Indians, there is nothing much MIC or the other so-called representatives can do. It is better to focus on the lack of political will in addressing the myriad problems faced by the Indian community rather than submitting proposal after proposal for the betterment of the community. P RAMASAMY is a retired UKM professor, former deputy chief minister II of Penang and is currently the interim chairperson of Urimai. The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
Malaysiakini
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
MIC should address lack of political will to help Indians first
LETTER | MIC should question the lack of political will first before the submission of proposals. If it could not assist the Indian community during its heyday, what makes MIC deputy president M Saravanan think that the party might be seriously considered as the representative of the community? There is much talk about what holds for the Indian community in the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). MIC has apparently forwarded proposals to be considered for the betterment of the Indian community under the plan. If the Indian community has virtually abandoned MIC, what makes the party leaders think that the government will give them their due recognition? MIC, unfortunately, is the case of shutting the doors of the stables after the horses have bolted. It would be a Herculean task to bring back Indians within its political fold. Rather than pretending to be the representative of the Indian community, it should resort to the management of the party's properties acquired through the financial contributions of the rank-and-file Indian working class. There never existed a powerful political will on the part of the earlier BN government or the present pretentious Madani government to seriously look into and address the social and well-being of the Indian community. Indians' contributions forgotten The community that sacrificed and contributed so much to the development and well-being of the nation remains a discriminated and shunned ethnic community. The riches contributed by the community have been passed to others who are not as deserving as they are. MIC can put up with hypocritical pretensions about its representative nature, but the stark ignominious fact remains that it too had a hand in the marginalisation of the community. Contradictions between MIC leaders and the rank-and-file members or Indians are sharp and divisive. One wonders whether the presence of these class divisions between the leaders and those led would not compromise the representative nature of the party. Such is the contradiction between those who pretend to represent the community and those segments of the Indian population that have missed out on opportunities over the years. If there is no political will on the part of the Malay hegemonic elite to respect the rights of Indians, there is nothing much MIC or the other so-called representatives can do. It is better to focus on the lack of political will in addressing the myriad problems faced by the Indian community rather than submitting proposal after proposal for the betterment of the community. P RAMASAMY is a retired UKM professor, former deputy chief minister II of Penang and is currently the interim chairperson of Urimai. The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
Malaysiakini
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Saravanan to Nurul Izzah: Show proof you worked for Indians
MIC deputy president M Saravanan today called on Nurul Izzah Anwar to substantiate her recent claims of working behind the scenes to address issues facing the ethnic Indian community. In a statement to Malaysiakini, the Tapah MP said the PKR deputy president need not work silently as her party is part of the ruling government with the power to directly solve the community's issues. 'We have utmost respect for Nurul Izzah, but...
