In a scathing letter to G Palanivel, MIC leader S Vell Paari tells his president to push for action to be taken against Ridhuan Tee Abdullah and Ibrahim Ali, failing which, he will ask the Indians to vote for the opposition.
UPDATED
KUALA LUMPUR: Still nursing the near fatal wounds sustained in the last general election, MIC is limping towards the frontline once again. And while its supporters remain optimistic, its detractors however believe that it would not survive the looming battle.
Amidst this uncertain future comes a scathing open letter from an outspoken MIC leader to his president, which could plunge the Barisan Nasional component into a crisis just ahead of the polls.
Aware of the risks and repercussions involved, S Vell Paari told FMT that he felt compelled to ink his thoughts since the issue transcended partisan politics.
“It might be the wrong thing to do as a BN politician but I believe it is the right thing to do as a Malaysian who is fed up with those attempting to rip this nation apart,” he said.
In his letter, the MIC strategy director urged G Palanivel to push for stern action to be taken against academic Ridhuan Tee Abdullah for penning an article which disparaged those who professed the Hindu faith as well as Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali.
Failing which, Vell Paari warned that he would put into motion a proposal to call on Indians not to cast their ballots for the ruling coalition in the coming polls.
“If no action is taken against Ridhuan and Ibrahim, I would push forward my proposal in advising the Indians who to vote for. I would use the MIC platform to go forward with my proposal.
“The only way for you [Palanivel] to stop me is to sack me. The ball is in your court,” read the letter, which was copied to FMT.
Vell Paari said that Palanivel should raise this matter during next week’s Cabinet meeting and press Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein to make a stand.
The MIC leader also clarified that he was asking the president to take the lead based on protocol.
“As a MIC member, where we represent Indians of all faiths and a member of a race called Malaysian, I cannot remain quiet on this sort of issues any longer, which tend to crop up with increasing frequency. The community wants to know what is our response.
“We berate Pakatan Rakyat for breaking temples but keep quiet on these insults. If the reverse had happened [a Hindu insulting Islam], all hell would have broken loose,” he said.
“With regard to the controversy regarding the use of the word Allah, it went to the extent where a certain imbecile called for Bibles to be burnt. Why must is it always be a one-way street when it comes to our [non-Muslim] sensitivity?” he added.
‘We are not children of a lesser God’
Vell Paari said that when he criticised Ridhuan, he had to recharge his mobile phone several times as he was flooded with calls in support of his stand both from within and outside MIC.
“If we continue to remain silent on such issues because we are afraid of antagonising certain powers- that-be, then we might as well close shop and convert the MIC headquarters into a banana leaf restaurant. We cannot hold our heads high, when our tails are between our legs,” he added.
Vell Paari pointed out that Ridhuan, who was an associate professor with the National Defence University, also held other government-related positions.
“He is a committee member of the Islamic Consultative Council in the Prime Minister’s Department, a national council member of the Muslim Welfare Organisation (Perkim) and executive facilitator at the civil service integrity enhancement unit in the Islamic Development Department.
“He sits in these positions including the Prime Minister’s Department and hits out at MIC, a member of the government that he is employed by. This is a clear case of insubordination and defiance of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s 1Malaysia concept,” he said.
“If Ibrahim calls for the torching of Bibles to protect his faith, then what should our reaction be towards someone who had insulted our faith and the Thaipusam festival?
“Who are Ridhuan and Ibrahim to talk about non-Muslims and our religions? In what way are we children of a lesser God? We too have every right to stand up and protect the God we pray to. This country is our home as much as it is theirs. They should be charged with sedition,” he stressed.
Real equality in BN needed
Vell Paari said the time had come for BN component parties to be on equal footing with Umno instead of being subservient to the big brother.
“Let’s have some pride and respect. It’s better to quit with dignity then to live in shame in BN for the sake of having a few appointments in government.
“Are MIC and her members in BN just to hold flags, to wear free BN t-shirts, fill up seats at events and to play postman to deliver cheques issued by the Prime Minister’s Office?” he asked.
Vell Paari noted that for the first time, there was a prime minister who was willing to engage the Indian community and make a difference.
“We should educate this prime minister on the needs of the community and not the other way around – for him to say what he thinks this community needs,” he added.
The MIC leader cited several examples which the party could propose such as to raise the Indian equity target to 10%, looking into upgrading the computer facilities and quality of teachers in Tamil schools as well as to eradicate criminal elements in the Indian community and improving the standard of the police force, which suffered from a perception crisis.
He also invited Najib to visit the MIC headquarters and hold heart-to-heart discussions with the CWC members and division chairmen.
Returning to the Ridhuan issue, Vell Paari told Palanivel that as the party’s strategy director, it was his strategic advise that the president take the bull by its horns.
“You have direct access to the prime minister, so you have to bring this matter to the attention of the prime minister for immediate action.
“While I must commend the prime minister for signing the election integrity pledge, we must also call on him to take a proactive and bold stand on this matter.
“Ridhuan must be removed from all his government-related appointments. We should not ask for him to be terminated from his employment because we should not punish his family for his mistake. But let’s not be contented with a simple apology,” he said.
Vell Paari, who insisted that he would not join the opposition should he decide to throw in the towel, would also sent copies of the letter to the CWC members.
It is learnt that the MIC leader had received gentle reprimands from the BN leadership to tone down but when quizzed on this, he refused to disclose the details. However, he vowed not to cave in to pressure.
“If MIC is considered an equal partner in BN, then action against the likes of Ridhuan would be taken without me having to resort to such measures,” he said.
Asked if he was advocating for MIC to withdraw from the coalition, Vell Paari declined to comment.
With Malay votes divided between PKR, PAS and Umno, Indian votes were crucial to the ruling coalition, especially since Chinese voters had turned their backs on BN.
In the aftermath of the Hindraf protest, Indian voters, who till then were considered to be true blue supporters of BN, had swung their support in favour of the opposition during the 2008 polls.
MIC and MCA continue to find themselves in a political conundrum as several quarters remain adamant on exploiting sensitive issues despite the prime minister’s 1Malaysia call.
Palanivel agrees to act
Meanwhile, Vell Paari informed FMT later that Palanivel had agreed to raise the matter with Najib during the Cabinet meeting.
“I am hoping that the prime minister would initiate action. I would not be satisfied with a mere ‘we are looking into the matter’ response. This has gone too far,” he said.
Vell Paari also clarified that he was not undermining Palanivel nor was he interested in becoming president of MIC or to be given political positions.
“There are no hidden agendas or what not here. I am raising this issue because I am fed up with idiots running around trying to turn Malaysia into a racial and religious war zone.
“I am a father. I want my daughter to grow up in a peaceful country without bigotry,” he added.
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22 February 2013
DATUK SERI G. PALANIVEL
PRESIDENT
MALAYSIAN INDIAN CONGRESS
Dear Datuk Seri,
MY OPEN LETTER
I am Certain that you are aware of my statement regarding Ridhuan Tee Abdullah over his
derogatory comments against Indians and Hindus. This so-called academic is also sitting on
numerous government agencies.
As a MIC member, Where We also represent Indians of other faiths and a member of a race
called Malaysian, I Cannot remain silent on this sort of issues any longer, which tend to crop
up with increasing frequency. The community wants to know what is our response. We
berate Pakatan Rakyat for breaking temples but keep quiet on these insults. If the situation
was reversed, all hell would have broken loose. With regard to the controversy regarding
the use ofthe word Allah, it went to the extent Where a certain imbecile called for the
burning of Bibles. Why is it always a one-Way street when it comes to our sensitivity? That's
why I made such comments. I had to recharge my phone several times due to all the calls in
support from within and outside MIC.
Ridhuan Tee Abdullah's government related positions are:-
1. Associate professor at the National Defence University.
2. A committee member of the Islamic Consultative Council at the Prime Minister's
Department.
3. A national Council member ofthe Muslim Welfare Organisation [PERKID/l).
4. Executive facilitator at the civil service integrity enhancement unit in the Islamic
Development Department.
He sits in these positions, including in the Prime Minister's Department, and hits out at MIC,
a member ofthe government that he is employed by. This is a Clear case of insubordination
and defiance of PM's llVialaysia concept.
Ibrahim Ali calls for the torching of Bibles to protect his faith, what should our reaction he
towards someone who has insulted our faith? Let's not forget, it's now during your term as
president of MIC that the chariot for Thaipusam stops at the MIC HQ on it's way to Batu
Caves. Also this is not the first time he has made such comments. Who is this Ridhuan Tee
Abdullah and Ibrahim Ali to advice and talk about non Muslims and our religion? In what
way are We children of a lesser God? We too have every right to stand up and protect the
God we pray to. This country is our home as much as it is theirs. They both should be
charged with sedition.
So was I in the wrong to have said if Dato' Seri Hishammuddin Hussein does not take action
against these persons, then I will quit MIC and call on Indians to support Pakatan? It's time
for BN to operate under equal partnership and not under the big brother, small brother
scenario. Let's have some pride and respect. It's better to quit with dignity than to live in
shame in BN for the sake of having a few appointments in government, if the powers in BN
are not interested in our sensitivity.
Are MIC and her members in BN just to hold BN flags, to wear free BN T-Shirts, fill up seats,
event managers for functions or postmen to deliver cheques from the PMO. This party was
born to safeguard the interest of all Indians regardless of religion in Malaysia. There is no
point in calling ourselves the custodian or stakeholder ofthe Indian community if we are
not prepared to act in accordance to that claim. What has happened has happened, but our
mission now is to create a new and better Malaysia for all Malaysians.
For the first time we have a Prime Minister who is ready to engage the community. So We
have to educate this Prime Minister on the needs of the community and not the other way
around for him to say what he thinks the community needs. We need to take charge in
educating him on our hunger. For if We fail to educate him to fulfil our needs, then it's our
mistake for not taking the bull by its horns.
Some examples issues that MIC can propose:
l. Thank you Dato' Sri Najib for wanting to increase Indian equality to 3% but 3% is not
enough. To leapfrog our community to be on par with others, We need at least 10% Stake.
2. Thank you for pledging to yearly fund the upgrade, build Tamil schools and making them
fully aided. But Sir, MIC proposes instead of fixing them on a piecemeal basis, Why doesn't
the Government Issue a bond for the total amount it takes to repair and build Tamil schools
in one go. The government's yearly amount allocated can go towards settling the bond. But
sir while we are looking at the hardware i.e infrastructure, time has come to look at the
software, improving the quality of teaching in Tamil schools so that over the period of five
years we can increase the UPSR passes to above 85%, hence giving parents confidence in
enrolling their children in Tamil schools. But we also have our children in government
schools as Well. Their performance also needs monitoring.
3. PM sir, Crime is the cancer that has infected our community. This needs to be removed.
It's due to lack of opportunities and getting excited over seeing large sums of money at a
young age from distributing drugs. Recruitment is done at schools. Even if they get Caught
they have no fear as they know they can settle the case with the police. Don't blame the
police for taking bribes. When you pay them peanuts, how are they going to survive? Hence
we are encouraging corruption. We need to pay the policemen Well and give good benefits
that will make them respect their job. lf they get caught for corruption after that, then they
lose everything. Let us start giving our policeman a respectable non-taxable salary, but they
now have to be trained to serve and protect Malaysians and not abuse and assault
Malaysians. Their training should include human skills to engage the current generation of
Malaysians. The government must also establish the IPCMC.
4. Dato' Sri Najib, it's been a long time since a PM of Malaysia visited the MIC HQ. We invite
you t0 visit the MIC HQ and have a heart-to-beart session with the CWC members and
division chairmen.
Datuk Seri Palanivel there is more that We can propose but I want to come to the matter at
hand, Ridhuan Tee Abdullah and Ibrahim Ali. It's my strategic advice as the strategy adviser
that Datuk as the party president, you have direct access to the prime minister, so you have
to bring this matter to the attention of the prime minister for immediate action.
lfwe continue to remain silent on such issues because we are afraid of antagonising certain
powers that be, then We might as Well close shop and Convert the MIC HQ into a banana leaf
restaurant. We cannot hold our heads high, when our tails are between our legs.
While I must commend the prime minister for signing the Election Integrity Pledge, We
must also call on the prime minister to take a proactive and bold stand in making sure that
action is taken against Ridhuan Tee Abdullah and Ibrahim AIi for their remarks. Ridhuan
Tee Abdullah must be removed from all his government related appointments. We Won't
ask for him to be terminated from his job as we should not punish his family for his mistake.
But we must not be contented with a mere apology.
Datuk, you are in charge of the situation now and as per my statement if no action is taken
against Ridhuan Tee Abdullah and Ibrahim Ali, I Will push forward with my proposal in
advising the Indians who to Vote. I will use the MIC platform to go forward with my
proposal. The only Way for you to stop me from using MIC's platform is to sack me. The ball
is in your court. Might be the wrong thing to do as a BN politician but I believe it is the right
thing to do as a Malaysian who is fed up with those attempting to rip this nation apart.
S. WELL PAARI
STRATEGY DIRECTOR
MEMBER OF CWC
MALAYSIAN INDIAN CONGRESS
cc CWC Members