The Penang DAP Indians want the state government to immediately establish a high powered state-level council that would function as a one-stop agency to manage all issues and matters pertaining to Indian affairs in the state.
In their proposal made to state DAP chairperson Chow Kon Yew recently, DAP Indian members have suggested for Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P Ramasamy to chair the council, which will come under the direct purview of the Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and his state executive council.
The DAP state leadership is expected to study the proposal and submit its recommendation for the executive council’s perusal and approval soon.
If set up, for the first time the Penang Indians will have a high-powered state government body to handle and manage their affairs.
Under the proposal, the council; namely the State Indian Development and Advisory Council or Pidac, would handle, deliberate, consider, manage, propose and make recommendations on all issues and matters pertaining to the Indian community interests, rights and benefits to the Pakatan Rakyat state government.
This encompasses issues and matters pertaining to the community's political and socio-economic interests and rights such as Tamil school, education, student, scholarships, religions, employment, government tenders, appointments to and functions of Indian based government bodies, and state awards and titles.
The council will also accumulate and disseminate the correct and official information of the state government to the Indian masses.
According to the working paper, the council would initially start off with 11 members comprising elected Indian members in the Parliament, state legislative assemblypersons and local council, and party members.
Its composition would expand when and unless deemed necessary.
Being ears and eyes
Proponents of the council said it will be an effective and decisive highest state-level think-tank and decision making body to suggest solutions and make recommendations to the state government on all issues and matters pertaining to Indian community.
It aims to assist the Chief Minister and the state executive council to formulate policies, programmes and projects to benefit the Penang Indian community, besides being the "ears and eyes" of the state government to monitor their implementation and implications.
DAP Indians said Penang Indians badly needed a council to carry out comprehensive and systematic policies and programmes for their benefits.
The previous Barisan Nasional state government were only dishing symbolic and unconstructive assistance, such as token sums to build temples, repair schools and organise NGO functions, to the Indian community.
They said the community wanted more constructive, dynamic and vibrant blueprint that would upgrade their standards of living and safeguard their political and socio-economic rights.
This was the main reason behind the community’s strong backing to DAP and company on March 8 polls.
“The council would be a one-stop agency under the state government for the Indians.“The Indians role in the state government would be effective, decisive and meaningful,” said majority DAP Indians.
Forgotten lot again
However, their hopes to set up the council seem being hindered by a certain state assemblyperson.
An insider said the assemblyperson had been dragging his feet on the proposal due to fear of losing his prominence and influence in the state government.
“The assemblyperson obviously did not realise that politically the council, if set up, would strengthen his position and influence in the government and party,” said the insider.
At present, many DAP Indians in Penang claim that they have been become forgotten lots since the party captured Penang on March 8 polls, with the help of political allies – PKR and PAS.
“Since the DAP came to power, our existence, importance and sacrifices seemed ignored,” summed up a disgruntled Indian member, who has been a party man for over 20 years.
Many are now supporting formation of the council to rejuvenate and resurrect their relevance and roles in Penang DAP and the state government.
DAP Indian members are now firmly supporting the formation of the council.
They do not want Indian interests being looked after by one particular Indian leader, but rather preferred it to be managed collectively by all Indian DAP members.
“We surely do not want Indians to be forgotten lots in similar fashion that happened in Gerakan in the previous Barisan Nasional administration,” they said.
They want Lim and company to set up the council sooner rather than later.
Athi Veeranggan - Malaysiakini
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