IT is unfair to say he did nothing for Indians during his tenure as prime minister, said Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“Whatever we did was based on what MIC asked. And we complied. Unfortunately MIC was not able to use what was created or use the funds given to it in a proper way. And so it appears as if I did not do anything.
“MIC has produced a book to say that I did a lot of things for the Indians. Not all that you asked for was delivered by me. But what was asked by MIC was complied with,” said the Pakatan Harapan chairman.
He said MIC did not allow other Indian parties to join Barisan Nasional in the past and that had resulted in a monopoly.
“There was only one Indian leader. He was there when I joined and he was still there after I left.
“When I was there he praised me sky high but after that he said I did nothing for the community.”
He said MIC’s politics had affected the Indian community’s representation in BN.
Asked why he had not tried to remove MIC president S. Samy Vellu, Dr Mahathir said: “I don’t interfere in the internal affairs of the political parties.”
Tamil schools
Dr Mahathir said the PH manifesto had a section just for Indians and a separate section again just for Tamil schools.
“I can’t speak for the past but if Pakatan wins, the Tamil schools will be looked after and funds will be made available.”
Asked about the closure of Tamil schools during his time, Dr Mahathir said some schools were poorly attended and at times had only one pupil.
He said it had not been feasible to keep such schools going but promised that a PH government would consult Indian leaders making such similar moves.
Uprooting of estate workers
On the forced uprooting of former estate workers, Dr Mahathir said the Malay and Chinese communities had also been relocated to make way for development.
“But we have to be more considerate. In the past, the Indians were not well represented and the government could not take corrective action.
“When development happens, as it inevitably does, people have to be moved. But they have to be compensated and alternative sites have to be given to them to build their homes,” said the prime minister designate.
Seats for Hindraf
Asked whether Hindraf would be given seats to contest in the next elections, Dr Mahathir said it was too late to admit the organisation as a party.
“Hindraf, however, is a strategic partner. In the past (Hindraf chairman) P. Waythamoorthy had signed a nice agreement before joining the government but the promises were not fulfilled and he had to leave (after eight months).
“Promises made by Najib (Razak) are worth nothing. He’s going around making promises again. But believe me, he will not fulfil them.
“Now, we are making promises too and I give you my assurance, for what it’s worth, that we will implement what is on our manifesto.”
He was speaking at the event “An evening with Dr Mahathir Mohamad” organised by Hindraf at the KL Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall. – March 14, 2018.
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Comments
Indians, especially the Tamil speaking working class Indians , are probably the only significant segment of the population in the peninsular that has not already made up it’s mind.
Both the common contesting side, I reckon , are to the opinion that whoever can get the support of the indian, might just tip Fortune and Victory to favour them.
Practically , I think Indians should throw their support behind whichever side that pays them the most cash for their support.
These “in the future I promise to do this and that” is only of value when made by honoroble people. I am not saying dr.mahathir is not honourable , but he is very old , and it is probably his side that will have to keep the promises he makes , and as for how honourable they are, I don’t know. He also has his own people to be concerned about , and he has like he said , failed before.
At barely 7 percent of the population, Indians are just not significant enough to grab the attention of the nation’s leadership. It just for the occasion of this election that 6 percent of Indians are important , and thus recieving much attention from all sides.
After the elections is over , the Indians should remember that they will again have no one but themselves to count on as they go through their lives and try to make a future for themselves .
Whatever they manage to get in their hands now , is probably the only thing they will have in the future.
Indians should be pragmatic and appreciate what you can get at present , rather than be idealistic, and count what you might get in the future.
Posted 6 years ago by Nehru Sathiamoorthy · Reply