Seven victims of the recent Petaling Jaya Selatan racial clashes today expressed their disappointment that the MIC has not made good on its promises to assist them in the aftermath of the tragedy.

V Muniandy, who had his right hand slashed, said that he had not been able to find a job since the tragedy as he has not regained the full use of his hand.

He said employment was vital for him as he had to support three children aged between nine and 16, and a non-working wife. He added he is not able to service his low-cost house loan, now that he is jobless.

"I have been promised by government officials and VIPs of financial aid so that I can set-up a small flower stall but I have not received anything yet," said the 44-year-old victim, at a press conference to mark the 100th day since the clashes occurred.

The press conference was organised by a group called the Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC).

Husband killed

The Petaling Jaya Selatan clashes which began on March 9 and lasted for a week claimed the lives of six Indians and left scores more injured. About 300 people, mostly youths, were arrested by the police.

Since the clashes many government bodies and political parties, including the opposition, have visited the area to offer assistance.

The DAP handed over about RM15,000 and last week the Damansara Rotary Club had handed over RM3,000 to the victims. The GCC today donated RM500 each to 20 families.

The government has said that more low-cost houses would be built at the area of the clashes which is currently populated by Malays and Indians and Indonesian and Bangladeshi migrants living in long houses, low-cost flats and and wooden squatter houses.

The majority of the residents are from the lower income group, most being factory workers, mechanics and small-time businessmen.

S Lalitha of Kampung Lindungan, whose husband A Ganesan, 28, was slashed and killed during the clashes was tearful when relating her miseries to reporters.

She said she had been promised financial aid for her children's education and a low-cost house costing RM45,000 but to date nothing had materialised.

"We are fed-up with the promises and we have lost hope in the MIC," she said.

"It has become increasingly difficult to manage my family although my employer was kind enough to increase my salary from RM500 to RM600 a month," said the clinic nurse, who is a mother of two children, aged three and five.

Ganesan's mother, who was also present, said she had gone to see MIC president S Samy Vellu's wife Indrani but was "told to go home and find a job".

She said she suffers from severe backaches and is medically unfit to work. She added Ganesan, her only son, had financially supported her.

'Feel cheated'

K Rajaturai, in his early 20s, said he was brutally assaulted and severely injured on the back of his head. He said he needed a job badly but could not get one as he has lost his sense of balance and has recurring headaches.

"I have no parents, my grandmother is looking after me now. But how long can she do that?" he said.

M Kannan, 26, a former security guard, said that while he was in hospital, MIC members had visited him and assured him of help.

"I am staying in a rented house and the landlord is about to ask me to leave as I cannot pay the rent and I have three children to feed," he said.

He said his wife who was expecting, went to the MIC office but "was scolded and told to go back to the people who had helped them pay their rent earlier".

"MIC has not kept its promises. We are disappointed and feel cheated," said Kannan.

R Suresh, a 19-year-old student, who was stabbed and slashed in his stomach and head, said he had been approached by MIC members while in hospital for his particulars but is yet to receive any form of assistance.

He said he had to stop his college studies as the incident occurred as he was about to sit for his examination.

"My mother, who is a single parent had pawned her jewelry and paid for my college. I have completed my course work but could not sit for the exam and had to drop out," said Suresh, who was studying electrical engineering.

Before the incident, Suresh worked part-time as a pizza delivery boy and brought home about RM1,000 to support his family and studies.

Suresh claimed that his motorcycle was burnt and destroyed during the incident. He added that before a group of Malay youths assaulted and slashed him with a jagged edged knife, he was asked whether he was a Muslim.

Moral obligation

V Vasu, 24, who was attacked by a group of armed Malay youths on his way back from work, also said he had received nothing from MIC despite several promises.

Vasu's elder brother, V Eliarajah, who was with him on that day, was also attacked.

Vasu claimed that the police were nearby during the incident and witnessed it but did not make efforts to apprehend the aggressors.

He said he was disappointed that those arrested during and after the clashes were let out on bail.

"If it was the Indians who were the aggressors, they would have not been let off so easily. We want justice and we want to know the results of the investigations," he said.

GCC spokesperson Charles Santiago said today's testimonies were a clear indication of what the government had not done for the victims.

"Do not listen to lies and public relation officers of the government saying that what happened at Petaling Jaya Selatan was just an aberration and not a racial clash," he said.

"The government has a moral obligation to help the victims. They must not be abandoned," he added.

Santiago said GCC would continue to monitor the situation and was trying to get in touch with four others who were seriously injured in the clashes. They are Naharul Hisham, Annadurai, Batumalai and Ramli.

Other members of the GCC present at the press conference were S Pasupathi, M Manogaran and S Nagarajan.