Resolutions passed at the 59th Penang MIC Annual Convention last weekend exposed the lack of conviction and determination of state party leaders, especially those holding government positions, in safeguarding the community's interests.

One example is Penang MIC's continued plea to the federal and state governments to create more jobs and career growth opportunities for Indians in the public sector despite passing resolutions to this effect on a yearly basis.

At the convention, which was officiated by party president S Samy Vellu in Butterworth, more than 1,000 MIC members unanimously passed a resolution to its effect, similar to the one passed at the 58th convention last year.

Among others present were MIC deputy president S Subramaniam, vice-presidents G Palanivel and S Veerasingam, state party chief Dr K Rajapathy and its secretary and state executive councillor P K Subbaiyah.

The delegates also unanimously passed another 'familiar' resolution asking the state government to set aside low-cost houses for Indians.

There is no doubt that the resolutions are imperative in view of the lack of employment and promotion opportunities in the public sector as well as house ownership for the Indian community in the state.

However, similar resolutions on the same subject in as many years exposes MIC's lack of political zeal and, the ignorance and negligence of the state and federal governments to redress the imbalance and discrimination.

Or, perhaps the state MIC is merely giving lip service to the cause?

Other resolutions

Other non-new resolutions were the demand for the integration of religious syllabus as a compulsory subject for Hindu pupils in Tamil schools and that MIC be given three councillor seats in the Penang and Seberang Prai Municipal Councils as well as a senate appointment.

It was the party president who had called upon the federal government last year to implement religious studies in the school curriculum.

Besides MIC, Samy Vellu's call was supported by many Indian-based organisations, notably the Malaysia Hindu Sangam. However, until today, the community is still waiting for a constructive application of the resolution.

According to a study carried out by the Socio-Economic Research Institute (Seri) in 1998 -1999, 70 percent of the 160,000 Penang Indians were living in squatters or rental homes.

The study reported that a majority of Indians were low income earners and do not have enough money to even pay the 10 percent deposits to purchase low-cost houses.

During the 2004 general election, one can remember that Barisan Nasional leaders had assured to rectify the lack of house ownership among Indians in the state.

However, the promise has been an empty one thus far.

And all MIC could do was pass another resolution pleading with the government to help Indians acquire their own homes.

Over the years, Penang MIC had demanded, suggested and pleaded for the upgrading of Tamil schools, which lagged far behind other schools in terms of educational facilities and basic amenities.

MIC members have also passed resolution after resolution demanding the state government to immediately implement comprehensive and constructive development programmes to assist Indians in overcoming their socio-economic problems.

However, until today, the state government has failed to implement any programmes or initiate pro-active steps to improve the living standards of Penang Indians.

Lip service

"(Chief Minister) Dr Koh Tsu Koon-led Penang government has only given lip service to the demands," said a MIC branch leader when commenting on the matter.

Penang Indians are unhappy that they have become easy prey for discrimination in securing employment and gaining promotion in both the public and private sectors.

The delegates passed another resolution calling on the federal government to replace the present moral syllabus with Hinduism religious studies for Tamil school students throughout the country.

"Religious knowledge would enrich and strengthen the future Hindu generation with better moral values and spiritual knowledge, which have been lacking among many present day youths in the country.

"These values and knowledge will thwart Hindu youths from indulging in unhealthy activities. Besides the knowledge, religious studies would enrich them with resilience, confidence and leadership qualities.

"However, since Penang MIC lacks a dynamic leadership, the resolutions would very well remain as resolutions for years to come," lamented several branch leaders.

ATHI VEERANGGAN is malaysiakini's Penang-based stringer.