Palanivel tells urban poor to work in estates

First.. let me laugh out loud first.... this is the article taken from malaysiakini (http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/157861)


MIC president G Palanivel has asked members of the Indian community, who are unable to make a living for themselves in towns and cities, to come back and work in the plantation sector, including in estates owned by government-linked companies.

Palanivel (left), the deputy plantation industries and commodities minister, said the government had agreed to a minimum wage of about RM700 a month for the sector, compared to RM300 previously.

There were also other facilities available in estates, including free transportation for students in estate areas and free housing, he said, adding that the cost of living in estates was also low.

"The ties among estate communities are also close and the environment is secure because they are guarded round-the-clock," he told reporters after visiting the party's community service centre at Wisma MIC, here.

He explained however that the call was meant for those who were unable to get used to urban life and were mired in hardships, particularly single mothers.

He said estates owned by GLCs such as Sime Darby were facing shortage of workers.

Rather than taking foreign workers from Indonesia and Bangladesh, it would be better that the shortage be filled by Malaysians, he said.

Tackling poverty

Palanivel added that poverty was among problems faced by the community and that the MIC was striving to find a solution to it.

On whether the Indian community now recognised the MIC after rejecting the party in the 2008 general election, Palanivel said he was confident that the community would support the party in the coming election.

On the demonstrations staged by Hindraf in the national capital last month, Palanivel said the protest was not about fighting for the Indian community.

"I want to ask you, was the demonstration held to uphold the struggle for the Indian community, to highlight problems of poverty? The demonstration was against the use of the novel 'Interlok'.

"They are not fighting for the Indian community," he said.

- Bernama
________________________________________________________________________

Are we living in 2011 or in some dark ages where our forefathers just arrived from India? Why did the estate workers move out to the cities… was it the lure of city living or was it the hope for a better living..

I am baffled by our so-called leader’s statement.. As a leader of a community.. you seem to be living in a la…la.. or leh..leh.. land..

Wages of RM700 


How is anyone to live with that kind of wages with 3 or 4 kids in a household. I am wondering if you stripped off all your riches.. would you be able to last with RM700 for a month?

If GLCs are looking for estate workers, then it’s high time that they start relooking at the wage structure.. they are raking in billions of profits, are they not so why can they not share it with their employees..

In tackling poverty..

there are always alternatives to working in the estates.. In many developing countries to eradicate the poor, they work towards empowering them.. not giving them money but teaching them skills for sustenance of income.. But do enlightened me, how do you tackle poverty with a monthly wage of RM700.

We are supposedly a developed country.. and our supposed leaders are sending the Indians back to the estates to continue to be low wage labourers if not bonded for life..

Why are we not looking at a more integrated approach to empower these women by starting out cottage industries.. or something that will supplement their current income..

There are solutions to the current issues plaguing the community.. if only leaders will stop making a mockery and start listening to the actual issues…

Wise or Otherwise.. 
dhena

Interlok - Wise or Otherwise

The past week or so i have heard many ramblings about this book.. have received numerous emails and sms as well.. First I wanted to take the neutral approach.. but that is going to be a wee bit difficult in this sense.. 

The author states that he wrote this book after much research about the community in India.. I have nothing against him.. the society in India is dated to at least 5,000 years ago.. they were far more civilized than the west, look out for the Lost City of Dwarka.. there are evidences proving that..

The word in question 'p****h' is a term used to define a person’s occupation.  As time evolved, just the way we tell our children if you don’t study you will need to sweep the drains.. the word evolved into a derogatory term.  Even here, in Malaysia we have ‘hush’ words that all of us were allowed to use freely now is forbidden to use because the word/name belongs to the supposed ‘superior’ race..

 A close friend, Dr Ganesh Ramachandran’s take on the usage of the 'p****h' term..

"The caste system as a matter of fact in Indian society is true but it must also take into account the efforts of the community to rid itself of this blight.  The problem is perspective..... if this book is introduced into the curriculum, would it legitimize the usage of the p word when referring to Indians?  Would it legitimize the racial abuse of teachers and other civil servants in the recent past?  Is the caste system a part of the Hindu religion? In the first place people must realize that the so called Hindu religion never started out as a religion, it was a code of behaviour and a system that spelled out a particular way of life."

"The caste system as it started out was a method of dividing society according to their trade or occupations.  No one was born into a particular caste. If you look objectively a subtle form of cast or class system exists in all societies." 

We need to look at this objectively?  Not with emotions, but with logic.. We want to expose our children, the future of our generation to negative or the positive aspect of history.  My friend Dr Ganesh also highlighted the following:

“We should not allow a book that presents Indians in a negative light to become part of the national curriculum especially in Malaysia where racial undertones colour almost every sphere of activity, it's not like the so called ‘p****hs’ who migrated to Malaysia did good, many are still caught in the web of poverty that brought them here because we have a subtle caste system of our own in this country that resolutely prevents them from ridding themselves of that yoke of poverty.  At the same time you also have to recognize the efforts in India to overcome the caste system.”

Coming back to the book, the author Datuk Abdullah Hussain comments can be viewed here.. http://thestar.com.my/news
/story.asp?file=%2F2011%2F1%2F16%2Fnation%2F7810859&sec=nation

The question is not about the intention of the book, or person who authored it – please get that straight?  Its about the government who in the form of Ministry of Education that decided that this book was suitable for our children.. This is the same government that preaches 1Malaysia.. Do you not think that in realising the dream you need to look at what you feed the young minds as well?  Personally I do know the sales of this book has sky rocketed.. the author and of course the distributor will be pleased.. but the team that approved this book to be included in the national syllabus has to answer.. whose making the bucks here is my next question..

Please stop pussy footing and start with putting your money where your mouth is. 

wise or otherwise, 

dhena 

p/s some interesting articles on Interlok 

http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=%2F2011%2F1%2F13%2Fcolumnists%2Falongthewatchtower%2F7789113&sec=alongthewatchtower

http://www.klik4malaysia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8730%3Acan-common-sense-unlock-the-interlok-stalemate&catid=57%3Apolitics&lang=en

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/01/18/interlok-in-schools-a-bad-idea/

http://dinmerican.wordpress.com/2011/01/14/interlok-distorts-history/

Signs of Economy = Potholes on the Roads in Malaysia

Traversing in wonderful city of Kuala Lumpur.. the land of dreams and wonders for many.. turned out to be a ride like on a bullock cart.. 

The past few weeks, my travels to the city has been somewhat interesting.. I am talking here about the hub of business, the hustle and bustle for many.. but what happened to the roads leading to and within the city.. 

Jalan Ampang - where the majestic Suria KLCC and many embassies are housed is a road of horror as one has to has to learn how to maneuver to ensure you dont hit a pot hole.. then of course, we have  Jalan Sultan Ismail, and Jalan Raja Chulan not spared as well.. The supposed Golden Triangle of the city is now the Golden 'Pothole' Triangle... 

As I ponder about this further, it of course dawned upon me.. 

The Signs of Malaysian Economy = Potholes on the Roads in Malaysia 

Why do i say this.. the past six months, we have heard of price hikes on petrol, sugar and other necessities.. but little have we heard of the status of the economy.. So where is the supposed allocated funds going to.. surely not on the roads that leads many investors to 'multi billion dollar' corporations in the city.. 

I am a tax payer and I have every right to expect some changes be done.. enough lipsyncing about 1Malaysia.. something that I believe will take another 15 years for Malaysia to achieve.. Please look into matters at hand and work on them.. And please dont take us the rakyat (or immigrant as some may call me) for suckers.. 

Wise or Otherwise, you decide

dhena

Deepavali Ad by Finas

Whilst I am appalled watching this ad.. I am also wondering what were they thinking to approve such an ad and not expect a stir of controversy..

For those who have not viewed it.. here is the link.. Finas Deepavali Ad

For those who have.. let me continue whinging..

The advertisement in question does not depict the actual case today.. I am shocked by the picture painted here.. The world has become smaller with the new digital era.. but in the minds of some it has grown even smaller..

In the first place, if the very pregnant woman was uncomfortable in eating at her in-laws she could have bloody stayed home and continued her murukku making.. rather than disrespect them by not eating in their home.. Funny that many do not understand that the package of marrying any man of any descent will mean that you have to accept their wares and wears.. but superiority in this case applies and that is obvious..

Why can we not look beyond our differences and celebrate our similarities?? Must we continue to be in the fashion of ignorance?? 

I shudder to think what will happen in future.. 

1Malaysia in this fashion.. will become 1MalayMalaysia.. 

wise or otherwise,

dhena

A Man's 'Erection'

The past few weeks has seen a rhapsody of blunders.. The best thus far has been a certain need for an ‘erection’ of a 100 storey building and of course mega refurbishment of Little India – Brickfields..

My rendezvous for late night ala Malaysian latte is now in the midst of a complete makeover.. Makeovers are to enhance the look and feel but this is not the same with the good old Brickfields..

Wise or Otherwise, You Tell Me!!!

Congestion – traffic in no way has eased.. infact there are more cars double parked, hordes of two wheelers and of course the place seems like a place with a never ending party..

Arches – Oh! Those lovely arches!! Perhaps the arches were done to enhance the look of the place (of course cover the shop frontages as well).. all the place actually needed was sprucing up.. not extra structures that’s going to cause City Hall tonnes of money (tax payers money) to build and maintain as well..

Street Lamps – There is one, two or too many. One can be seen every 10 metres.. in times when reducing, reusing and recycling should be the voice of the nation, here we are continuously flushing good money down the toilet bowl.

The Gigantic Fountain – Another sight for sore eyes.. A glimpse of it and enough said..

Whilst a congratulations is due to Dato’ Saravanan for leading this ambitious project and actually delivering it.. I am also quite wanting to see if this facade will be maintained 6 months down the road..

I hope to see this infamous ‘erection’ boost the economy of the business community there.. but that is a wise woman’s wish..

wise or otherwise.. you tell me!!

dhena

What's dished out

The past three weeks was a roller coaster week for me.. with so much happening at work and of course not forgetting work with ATMAH.. there were moments where i felt stifled and almost on the brink of a break down.. 

Things continued, as i realised that i could have bit more than i can chew.. and to top it all up.. the 'not wanting to let go' was another reason for all that extra unnecessary stress.. Realising that i tried much to hand over the stuff.. but it was a wee bit late.. 

Got into a verbal brawl with my team mate.. to top it up.. also got into another verbal brawl with the lady of the house.. now the good question will be what did i learn from all this.. i am unsure.. but i think i kinda see the answer vaguely.. 

1) STOP volunteering for everything.. contemplate if you can handle it first 

2) SPEAK only when spoken too.. do not offer info that is not solicited for\

3) ENJOY the pleasures in life.. 

i have so much more to learn.. but this at this point should suffice to share.. 

wise or otherwise

dhena 

Paul the Octopus

Germany exited WC2010 in an exciting match early this morning (in my part of the world)... And yes, there were so many predictions.. I am told, it was suppose to be quite a match with the German team having the most goals as opposed to Spain team attempting the most ‘attacks’.. 

And then comes the existence of Paul the Octopus.. a German resident with his amazing capabilities, predicted that Spain will win the match.. Oh! By the way, I didn’t know of Paul’s existence until last week.. I hear he predicted with precision 10 out of 11 matches.. 

Now this is where the question starts – Did the prediction
1. Cast a doubt on the German team
2. Give a boost to the Spanish team and
3. Confuse a whole load of punters 

So now, if the Universe hears you and knows that without a doubt the team is going to win.. the Universe will grant you that, right?.. I hear that the German team did not play as well as they did in some of their other matches.. so, did they lose the battle in their mind before heading for the war? I wonder.. 

As for the Spaniards, I have nothing much to say but my nephew Gajendra Jeyakumar supports them.. and it is his birthday wish they win (its his birthday today).. Low and behold - they won.. perhaps they won the battle in their minds before heading for the war.. :)

At the end of the day, one thing World Cup brings to this world every 4 years - the celebration of humanity.. and that’s admirable.. 

my two cents, 
dhena