MIC president S Samy Vellu, opening the 60th Congress of the party here, emphasized self help as the way out for the Indian community.

He called for community change through community action by community members for the community.

Over reliance on government creates dependency and robs us of the scope for human potential and creativity, he told about 3,000 delegates and observers.

"We need to balance our demands on government and that of what we initiate for the community. We must as a community strive to stand on our feet. We need to restore the deep sense of confidence in ourselves and minimise negative and pessimistic outlooks which impact negatively our self worth and dignity," he said.

Samy showcased the Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology as an example of self help. It is a gift to out community and nation, he said, adding that between 5,000 to 7,000 students will graduate annual.

In an immediate reaction, Ipoh Barat MP S Kulasekaran criticised the MIC's emphasis on self-help schemes.

Poor need help

"They are running away from their responsibilities to get the government to help the Indian poor," he said.

"Self help might be good for the middle and upper classes of Indians like the MIC leaders but what about the poor?"

He said the poor have no resources to mobilise and no hope to move up.

"It is the duty of the government to provide the Indian poor as much help as they are giving to the poor bumiputeras.

"Otherwise don't collect tax from the Indians," he said.

The MP said it is the primary duty of the government to aid all citizens in need irrespective of their race and ethnic origins.

The MIC has failed in its duty to get help from the government and the next best thing is to mobilise whatever the poor Indians possess, Kulasekaran said.

Some outside observers at the MIC congress also expressed surprise at Samy's address which they said was flat, shallow and contained 'nothing new.'

It did not touch on international issues and was full of high sounding phrases, said an observer, citing such phrases as "must discover new method to re-engineer, create strategic pathways into the future" as examples.

The speech was a flight of fancy, said another professional.