What ever happens to the thousands of Indian petty traders we see who mushroom during Deepavali, Thaipusam, Panguni Oothirum and other festivals. Why are they not seen at other times and places, doing businees with the same gusto? Just look around when you travel on the highways. Just look around. There is almost zero Indian food shops or shops selling tit bits, fruits etc. There is almost zero opportunity for Indians owning Petronas, Shell, Esso or Mobil petrol station. Almost zero Indians owning KFC, Mc Donalds, A&W , Ayamas, Coffee Bean, Starbucks, Burger King etc.
It is actually quite simple to understand why this is the case. They are denied the opportunities to do this kind of trading business and all other types of businesses for which they need licences or franchises , by the UMNO controlled Malaysian government. Simple. But UMNO will tell us and also through their Indian mandores that the Indians are not interested.
But just look at the jostling for petty trading Deepavali shop lots reported in Utusan Malaysia 10/10/09 at page 26 herein below.
What that mushrooming of these small stalls during Deepavali, Thaipusam, Panguni Oothirum and other festivals shows is that there is plenty of pent up potential in the community. You don't see it more, at other times and other places only because of the systematic denial of these opportunities to the Indian petty traders and small businessmen. The Indians in the country not only do not have equal rights, they also do not have equal opportunities. This is so glaring.
Why does this continue to be so under the UMNO Prime Minister Najib’s One Malaysia now. This One Malaysia thing is just a Sandiwara. He cannot really change the state of affairs and provide equal opportunities around without first jeopardizing his own job. He is the chief of the very organization, UMNO, that is supposed to safeguard all those opportunities from any preying outsiders. can he, the chief compromise such a central charter of his. So, all he can do, and all he does is to put up a show - One Malaysia. And the deceit and injustice continues.
P.Uthayakumar.
HRP Secretary Generalj
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