YOUTH FOR CHANGE
23-4-2007
Indian Estate Prohibited to Youth and Students?
The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) is always proud to say that they champion the rights of the Indians. They promote their own great contribution to the Indian community in Malaysia. If MIC is so successful, why were they so worried about the youths and students who visited the Tuan Mee Estate in Ijok? Does MIC prohibit youths and students from knowing about the situation of the estate workers and their problems? Or is this just another information blockade on the residents in Tuan Mee Estate?
On April 22, Youth for Change (Y4C) organised a Concerned Youth for Political Exposure Trip to Ijok. With the guidance of the local people, Krisnamuthi, the 50 participants were divided into three groups to conduct a survey. After 45 minutes of the program, one of the groups was stopped by a group of MIC representatives.
When the participants wanted to exchange further information with the local people, an MIC leader, who wore a black batik shirt, approached the group and questioned the Convener of Youth for Change, Lee Khai Loon. “Are you a student? Which university? Do you have a permit? You cannot come in without a permit from the management. This is private property.” stressed the MP for Cameron Highlands, YB S. K. Devamany.
When Lee Khai Loon tried to introduce himself and the purpose of Youth for Change organising such a trip, YB Deva stopped him. As a Member of Parliament, he requested that Youth for Change leave immediately to prevent any conflict from happening. He even stressed that he had just solved a fight a while ago
Some of the participants disagreed with YB Deva’s statement, and wanted to join in the debate. However, the faces of the MIC youths were unfriendly and full of anger. YB Deva questioned the participants, “Why have you only come during the by-election? You can come to the estate after the election. You all are very smart, please leave now.”
Due to the local guides also facing a lot of pressure, the Convener of Youth for Change led the participants back to the bus and left the place. The incident was stopped.
Even though the incident was stopped, the participants, coming from various backgrounds, had already learned a great lesson. More importantly, they managed to witness and experience themselves the problems of the Indian estate worker.
Since independence, the treatment of estate workers and their condition has been poor and bad. Some of them have had their conditions ruined and deteriorated even further. What is MIC’s contribution to these people? How is MIC going to explain these problems to the Malaysian people?
The practice of arrogant and unreasonable bureaucracy is unacceptable. As a Member of Parliament, not only could YB Deva not protect the safety of the youth and students there, but he also made some statements that caused some uneasiness. He really disappointed the youth and students.
This kind of attitude undermines the importance of the youth and students concerning themselves about politics. Youth for Change walked into Ijok, visited various ethnic groups and communities and conducted a survey. The trip was aimed at providing the participants a chance to experience the real scenario of a by-election. At the same time, the young people will not be apolitical and gain a deeper understanding about the elections.
Youth for Change (Y4C) will not give up organising such activities in the future. We will organise more activities to increase public awareness on the issues faced by the Indian community. We urge MIC to show their sincerity to help the Indians by changing their policies. Only then will they provide long term protection for the Indians, and not just temporary measures to console the Indian community during the by-election.
YOUTH FOR CHANGE
Lee Khai Loon
Convener of Youth for Change
013-3970519
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