M. Kulasegaran : Let me remind Dato Veerasingam that if MIC is not able to help in protecting the DIA land, it should at least not hamper or criticize the DAP‘s efforts to do so

It is reported today that Perak MIC chief Datuk Veerasingam has slammed Pakatan Rakyat for allegedly inciting the Indians in Sitiawan over the Government’s decision to take over the Dindings Indian Association (DIA) land to build a school.

The report says, “Giving assurance that the MIC would ensure that the prime land remained with the association, state party chairman Datuk S. Veerasin­gam said Penang Deputy Chief Minister Dr P. Ramasamy and Padang Serai MP N. Gobalakrishnan should stop inciting Indians in the town to hold a demonstration on the matter”.

Veerasingam also said there were other areas available nearby which the Education Ministry could also acquire to build the school.

Apparently Veerasingam was saying that MIC is against the acquisition but only has issue with the holding of a demonstration. 

Let me make it clear that DAP or Pakatan Rakyat do not engage in the business of inciting the people.

It is our duty and responsibility to make the people aware of the issue involved and to mobilize them to show their clear and public stand .

While MIC only believes in talking, we believe that it is the people’s right to air their legitimate grievances and state their stand via all democratic, legitimate and peaceful avenues, including the holding of a peaceful gathering.

If Datuk Veerasingam is truly opposing the land acquisition, he should respect the people’s right to peacefully gather and support DAPS’s call that the Indian community should turn up in full force at the Hearing scheduled on August 25, 2010. 

If MIC is truly opposing the Federal government’s acquisition move, then its Cabinet member Datuk Subramanian should raise the issue in tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting to get the proposed acquisition immediately rescinded.

Empty talk like “giving assurance that the MIC would ensure that the prime land would remain with the DIA”convinces no one.

In fact, if MIC was effective and BN government had learned its lesson from the 2008 general election results, such proposed acquisition which is insensitive, unfair, unnecessary and unjustifiable will not have taken place at all.

Let me remind Datuk Veerasingam that if MIC is not able to help in protecting the DIA land, it should at least not hamper or criticize the DAP‘s efforts to do so.


M. Kula Segaran
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