'Ask ex-deputy minister Waytha about RM540mil'

 

MIC has hit back at the demand made by Indian NGOs for details of the RM540 million allegedly distributed to the Indian community, saying P Waythamoorthy as former deputy minister should be well aware of the matter.

"All this information has repeatedly been published in Tamil newspapers, as well as online, before and after GE13.

"Hence, I am baffled by their request especially with Mr Waytha, as all these information were available to him during his tenure as deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Office," MIC director of strategy S Vell Paari said n a statement today.

He was responding to Copingo, a coalition of Indian NGOs led by Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia (PHM) leader N Ganesan, that had asked for details of the funds yesterday.

Vell Paari said PHM chairperson P Waythamoorthy and Copingo chairperson Ganesan were raising the issue merely to gain political mileage.

“Obviously their motive is political mileage and to portray themselves as the ‘saviours of the Indian community,” he said in a statement today.

Vell Paari added that the move was done to gain popularity among the Indian community while sullying the name of the country’s prime minister.

“Their motive was not for verification of facts but an attempt to question the integrity of the prime minister and to tarnish his image.

“Trying to gain popularity by criticising and making baseless allegations is easy. But it won't last long as the same medium they use to make allegations can be used to provide information,” he said.

'Ample publicity'

Vell Paari ,in his statement, said the detailed breakdown of the RM540 million was published in eight multi-page supplements in various Tamil dailies from September 2012 to August 2014 and also distributed to the community through their Nambikei–Janji Ditepati book distributed during the run -p to the 13th general election.

"The claim of nothing tangible has come about is baseless, as proof of this funding can be seen in the form of hundreds of new and refurbished buildings in Tamil schools that have been listed," he said.

Vell Paari also said MIC leaders have constantly done their part in explaining the distribution of the RM540 million, as well as the status of the allocations made between 2012 and 2013.

“Clarifications (were made) by Dr S Subramaniam, the MIC deputy president and P Kamalanathan, the deputy education minister, in March 2014 when questions was raised on the whereabouts of the funding given for Tamil schools.

“Also, since April 18, 2014, Kamalanathan has been constantly updating the status of the 39 remaining school projects under Budget 2012 when awarding Letters of Award to the Indian contractors involved.” summed up Vell Paari.

The information, he said, is also available online at government websites www.nambikei.com and janjiditepati.nambikei.com.