The launching of the ‘Indus Education Foundation’ by the prime minister, who is also the chairperson of Barisan Nasional, is amongst the long list of efforts undertaken by the PM to directly uplift the Indian community at the exclusion of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC). Whilst these efforts are seen to be contributing towards the Indian community, realistically they must be seen as a vote of no confidence towards MIC and MIC-linked institutions.

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

It is indeed surprising that the BN government deemed it fit to support the formation of a new Indian educational foundation instead of strengthening the Maju Institute of Educational Development (MIED) or Tan Sri  Manickavasagam Scholarship Fund (TSMSF) which are long-established MIC-linked foundations that have in fact continued to serve students especially the underprivileged seeking tertiary education.

Ironically, the chairperson of MIED and TSMSF are the former and current presidents of MIC respectively.

The perverse fact remains that MIC and MIC-linked institutions are only deemed relevant when it comes to ‘filing up halls during functions’. To add insult to injury, the MIC grassroots are seen as nothing more then lackeys only ‘fit to put up banners and flags during functions organised by this BN government’.

I would like to remind the BN leadership that it should not forget the contributions and undivided support of the MIC members. This pursuit of  dealing directly with the Indian community will weaken the only true Indian voting base loyal to BN.

On the same token, its time for the MIC leadership to remember that they (like Umno) need to safeguard and protect the interest and rights of their members. The leaders should not pawn the welfare of its members for self-growth or success.

It is definitely time for the MIC leadership to take stock of the situation and evaluate its relevancy as representatives of MIC in the government since it is plain and obvious that MIC is heading towards irrelevancy if this direct dealing with the Indian community continues unabated.

'New fund shows no confidence in MIC'


SELVA MOOKIAH is a member of MIC.