Vell Paari wants Malay Mail apology
Published: Aug 25, 2009 12:33 PM | Updated: Aug 26, 2009 5:01 AM
MIC members are seething with anger over a news report published in an English tabloid yesterday with regards to caste politics in the forthcoming MIC party polls.
MIC members are seething with anger over a news report published in an English tabloid yesterday with regards to caste politics in the forthcoming MIC party polls.
The article in the Malay Mail spoke about caste affiliation of leaders contesting for positions in the party elections due to be held on Sept 12.
"It is a derogatory piece belittling the contestants. The daily should immediately tender a public apology to the MIC and the Malaysian Indian community within the next 24 hours," said MIC's Unity and Socio Development Committee chairperson S Vell Paari.
He said that a protest note has been submitted to the daily today and tomorrow a police report will be lodged against the newspaper and its journalist if they failed to apologise.
"No one should belittle Indians and the MIC. Lately it is observed that the Malay Mail and New Straits Times have been publishing stories belittling Indians. This is a condemnable act," added Vell Paari.
He said that the story published by Malay Mail yesterday was deliberately written to insult and shame the Indian community in the eyes of others in the country.
He added that all conflicts and issues between the contesting candidates in the run up to the party polls were internal affairs and will be sorted out within the party.
"During the electoral contest, members may fight amongst themselves. Throw insult at each other. This is part and parcel of any election process. Once the party election is over members will come together and join hands to show their loyalty to the party and the community.
"The daily has thrown and branded caste marks on the MIC leaders who are vying for party positions. This is the ultimate insult to the party and its leaders," he added in a statement.
Buffoons and jokers
He further asked if Malay Mail would question the sub-ethnicity of Umno leaders during that party's elections.
"Malay Mail considers Indian leaders as buffoons and jokers and dare to write derogatory pieces in its pages with impunity. We urge Malay Mail to stop these irresponsible acts," he said.
Earlier today party president S Samy Vellu also touched on the same matter, stating that the party would ask the Home Ministry to take action against Malay Mail for publishing the caste issue, including using the term 'pariahs' and associating it with the party.
The article in the Malay Mail spoke about caste affiliation of leaders contesting for positions in the party elections due to be held on Sept 12.
"It is a derogatory piece belittling the contestants. The daily should immediately tender a public apology to the MIC and the Malaysian Indian community within the next 24 hours," said MIC's Unity and Socio Development Committee chairperson S Vell Paari.He said that a protest note has been submitted to the daily today and tomorrow a police report will be lodged against the newspaper and its journalist if they failed to apologise.
"No one should belittle Indians and the MIC. Lately it is observed that the Malay Mail and New Straits Times have been publishing stories belittling Indians. This is a condemnable act," added Vell Paari.
He said that the story published by Malay Mail yesterday was deliberately written to insult and shame the Indian community in the eyes of others in the country.
He added that all conflicts and issues between the contesting candidates in the run up to the party polls were internal affairs and will be sorted out within the party.
"During the electoral contest, members may fight amongst themselves. Throw insult at each other. This is part and parcel of any election process. Once the party election is over members will come together and join hands to show their loyalty to the party and the community.
"The daily has thrown and branded caste marks on the MIC leaders who are vying for party positions. This is the ultimate insult to the party and its leaders," he added in a statement.
Buffoons and jokers
He further asked if Malay Mail would question the sub-ethnicity of Umno leaders during that party's elections.
"Malay Mail considers Indian leaders as buffoons and jokers and dare to write derogatory pieces in its pages with impunity. We urge Malay Mail to stop these irresponsible acts," he said.
Earlier today party president S Samy Vellu also touched on the same matter, stating that the party would ask the Home Ministry to take action against Malay Mail for publishing the caste issue, including using the term 'pariahs' and associating it with the party.
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