Another proof of Corruption - Dirty leaky Little India

Hurriedly undertaken projects funded by taxpayers’ money have cost more for repairs  of the shoddy works. Paintwork is peeling off, fountain developing a leak and then, a shut down.

Structures have more sand than cement, old garbage lodged in corners, cavities, drains and back-lanes can be seen everywhere. We are not only seen as ‘Apple Polishers’ but a nation possessing a culture of filth, disposing our garbage everywhere!

In the first part of his exposure of Little India, Harakahdaily's environmental photojournalist ARSHAD KHAN lamented there was nothing to shout about in this corner carved out of Brickfields, a working class area in Kuala Lumpur. Concluding his report with this second part, he takes us on a tour of rubbish dumps and shoddy works that characterise the city's latest and much trumpeted 'tourist attraction'. 

WHAT DRAINS ARE FOR ... Clogged drains are everywhere here.

The fountain is not the only place with leakage in Brickfield's Little India. Besides the water, perhaps some funds also leaked away.

 But that is very normal here, taxpayers’ money spent, not accounted for; just like roofs, buildings and bridges collapsed without any one's care.

When this 'Indian town' was first visited on November 4, 2010 following the frenzied media publicity, the crowds here were seen simply mingling around, with no one seen admiring or even taking any snaps of the new structures and paintwork.

Some commented that the former layout and work were more original than the new artificial one. True, if compared to other locations.

PAINTWORK OR PATCHWORK ...A closer look reveals the shoddy works at the 'elephant fountain'

Since I have some experience loafing around India itself and Singapore, this in Malaysia has other messages than the actual picture someone has been trying to paint.

Hurriedly undertaken projects funded by taxpayers’ money have cost more for repairs  of the shoddy works. Paintwork is peeling off, fountain developing a leak and then, a shut down.

Structures have more sand than cement, old garbage lodged in corners, cavities, drains and back-lanes can be seen everywhere. We are not only seen as ‘Apple Polishers’ but a nation possessing a culture of filth, disposing our garbage everywhere!

Developed nations no longer have to display signboards reminding their citizenry not to litter or smoke. But habits and culture, it would seem, are impossible to change.

Shut down at the fountain

At the fountain someone commented 'they’ wanted the fountain to be different, requiring major changes, hence the shut down.

TRUNKS WITHOUT WATER ...The elephants stopped playing long ago after a shut down

How else to camouflage shoddy work? Why the flip flops with taxpayers’ money that also goes towards salaries of civil servants and politicians? 

Another mismanagement, misuse of authority and funds.

Why the leaks? Why is the paint falling off? What can the ordinary people expect out of something that benefits only certain group without the approval of taxpayers? This whole project is political in nature but disastrous in economics and returns.

By Arshad Khan, Harakah Daily 

PM quiet on Malaysian Indian claims of discrimination

The Human Rights Party, a political group representing disaffected Malaysian Indians, posted a message to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on its website to remind that their community faces “state-sponsored racial and religious segregation” in Malaysia from “womb to tomb.” According to the 2002

High-Level Committee on the Indian Diaspora, Malaysia had the world’s second-largest Indian diaspora, numbering nearly 1.7 million. Though they are disproportionately represented in fields like medicine and law, they are the poorest of the three main ethnic groups of Malaysia.

The HRP is the new avatar of the Hindu Rights Action Forum, a political rights groups that accused the Malaysian government of discrimination against Indian Malaysians. The forum was banned in 2007 and their founder, P. Uthayakumar, was jailed for 17 months.

The HRP had requested but did not receive an audience with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Asked about Malaysia’s discriminatory policies, Singh diplomatically said he had faith that Malaysia, “a multicultural, multireligious democracy,” had the “flexibility” to handle such issues.

Singh and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak on Wednesday inaugurated an urban  renewal project for an Indian area of Kuala Lumpur, Brickfield, that was renamed Little India. Some 3,000 Malaysian Indians waited for as long as three hours to see the inauguration ceremony, but they were kept at a distance by barricades and their view of the official dias blocked by stands and equipment. Indian officials admitted they weren’t certain if Singh even knew the audience was there.

Indian media people who asked local about the political climate in Malaysia were repeatedly told “no comment.” The few who were brave enough to be slightly critical of the government, hastily withdrew their comments.

The HRP was critical, calling Little India of being “propaganda” and the area designed to “camouflage the real ground reality” of the Malaysian Indian.

Political disaffection among the community has been evident in Malaysia. Following the Hindu Rights Action Forum campaign, the government - allied Malaysian Indian Congress, was badly defeated in August 2008 elections, winning only three out of nine seats they contested. The array of local Indian leaders, including the head of the Malaysian Indian Congress, who welcomed Singh received no applause from the Little India crowd when their names were read out.

A key HRP demand has been that the present preferential treatment for Malays for university student slots be abolished. It requested that Singh consider providing them seats in Indian higher education institutes.

*****

Following are the remarks by the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh during the Inauguration of LITTLE INDIA at Brickfields:

“I am delighted to be present at the official inauguration of 'Little India' in Brickfields.

I am overwhelmed by the warmth of your welcome. On behalf of the people of India, I thank you for this magnificent celebration of friendship and brotherhood, and bring to you their greetings.

Malaysia represents the best of Asia. It is diverse, welcoming and beautiful. It is home to people of different ethnic backgrounds, races and religions. Malaysia sets an example for the world of tolerance and peaceful co-existence.

The Indian community has made important contributions to the development of Malaysia during the past hundred years. They have worked with sincerity and dedication. They have excelled at medicine, law, engineering and accountancy. They have participated at each stage in the building of Malaysia.

The Malaysian Government’s decision to dedicate the area of Brickfields, which is one of the oldest Indian settlements in the country, as "Little India" is a tribute to the contribution to nation building of all Malaysians of Indian origin.

On this special occasion, I have the pleasure to announce that India would be presenting a Torana Gate to the residents of Brickfields as a mark of India-Malaysia friendship.

In the long march of history the paths of India and Malaysia have often crossed. We share close bonds of history and culture. We are pluralistic nations, committed to a composite culture that is unique and tolerant of the diversity in our societies.

Swami Vivekananda, one of India's greatest philosophers, once said that "Variety is the first principle of life." Brickfields embodies that principle. It is a place in which the three communities of Malaysia live in peace and harmony with each other.

It is here that the Vivekananda Ashram, built in 1904, is located. And it is here in Brickfields, that Malaysians of Indian origin can give full expression to their individualism and culture.

As citizens of Malaysia, the Indian community’s hopes and aspirations, life, family and future lie in this country. Yet they have maintained cultural and spiritual links with India. We welcome their desire as Persons of Indian origin to re-connect with their cultural roots even as they serve their country of adoption. The Indian community is well placed to be the bridge of friendship and understanding between India and Malaysia.

Malaysia under the dynamic leadership of Dato' Sri Najib has entered a new era of progress and prosperity. We wish him all success as he leads Malaysia to a better tomorrow.

Dato’ Sri Najib has extended his hand of friendship to India. I fully reciprocate his friendship. After my discussions with Dato’ Sri Najib today, I can say with confidence that India-Malaysia relations are poised for significant expansion in the coming years. Improving ties with Malaysia will be a very high priority of India’s foreign policy in the years ahead.

Before I conclude, I wish to recall what Rabindranath Tagore once said: "A civilization must be judged and assessed not by the level of power it has reached but by how it develops and expresses a love of humanity."

It is to that high ideal that we must aspire and I hope that Brickfields will serve as a worthy example in that respect.” 





Pramit Pal Chaudhuri Hindustan Times

& Indian Malaysian Online.com