'New fund shows no confidence in MIC'

 

The launch of the Indus Education Foundation by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak recently was akin to a ‘vote of no confidence’ towards MIC and MIC linked institutions, said MIC legal adviser Selva Mookiah.

Selva said that Najib’s decision of forming a new education foundation instead of strengthening the Maju Institute of Educational Development (MIED) or Tan Sri Manickavasagam Scholarship Fund (TSMSF), showed that the government did not trust MIC.

“The continued direct dealing with the Indian community instead of channelling the contributions via MIC or MIC’s linked institutions must be viewed as a strong message to MIC to re-examine its role and relationship with and within BN.”

He added that the MIC leadership should safeguard their interests by looking into the situation and avoid being “irrelevant”.

“It is plain and obvious that MIC is heading towards irrelevancy if this direct dealing with the Indian community continues unabated.”

Najib launched the Indus Education Foundation in Sentul on Sunday.

Najib said the government committed an initial grant of RM5 million to the foundation, and the fund’s chairperson G Gnanalingam, who is executive chairperson for Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd, would contribute another RM25 million in the coming five years.