The Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC) whom MIC president censured for giving financial aid to the Petaling Jaya Selatan clash victims, claimed today that it was motivated to help the victims because the government was slow in addressing their plight.

In a statement reacting to Samy Vellu's criticism, GCC spokesperson Jalaldin Hamid said it was wrong of the minister to lash out at them for trying to help the victims.

On July 6, Samy, who is also Works Minister, had questioned the efforts undertaken by GCC to provide RM500 each for several victims of the clashes.

"Where were these so-called people who gave you the aid when the clashes started? They did not go on house-to-house visits, carry the injured or make arrangements for the funerals. They did not bring anything good to the area," he had said.

The MIC leader reasoned that only his party could help the community, and not small groups which have no clout.

He also accused the victims for being ungrateful for allegedly criticising the MIC after receiving the RM500 given by GCC.

Total disregard

Jalaldin said Samy's outburst was unwarranted and displayed a total disregard for the plight of the victims.

He added that the victims had a right to expect support from the government as well as to criticise the government when "they perceive a failure in the part of their elected representatives to perform their duties".

The violent clashes which lasted for four days beginning March 8 resulted in six deaths and 52 others injured - almost all were Indians

Jalaldin said following the clashes, the government and national leaders only addressed some infrastructural problems in the area.

"The seriously injured victims were generally left to fend for themselves. During our visits, we found that some of them were out of jobs and faced serious financial difficulties," he said.

Jalaldin explained that GCC then raised financial and material resources to help the victims and highlighted their plight in the local media with the hope of attracting more assistance.

"Sadly, instead of viewing our efforts and feedback positively, the MIC president appears to have adopted a hostile attitude towards the GCC," he lamented.

Explain delay

Jalaldin also claimed that the government was slow in tackling the problems in the affected areas and in providing financial assistance to the victims.

"We wondered if the government was at all serious about tackling these problems. At the least, the government could have set up a special task force to ensure that victims will not be left stranded at the time of their greatest need," he said.

On July 6, the government handed compensation amounting to RM163,000 to 47 victims of the clashes. The families of those who died received RM10,000 each while injured victims received between RM2,000 and RM3,000 each.

"The government took approximately 80 days to approve the application for financial allocation which was submitted on April 10. As a result of the delay, some of the victims faced grave difficulties in the initial period," said Jalaldin, adding that Samy should explain the delay.

He said the government's compassionate aid is inadequate and requested that the victims be given greater assistance.

Jalaldin also urged Samy to disclose what steps he had taken to ensure that all the perpetrators of the clashes are brought to justice.