MIC @ THE 1st PLACE AMONGST THE INDIAN COMMUNITY

Dear Friends,

I am reproducing an article which was written by me recently and made plenty of heads turn, let it be in the on-line media or even the print media.

I am indeed glad that i came out with the article, off course, i will not force anyone to agree with me, but, i have stated my case and its up to the readers to accept it or otherwise.

I will continue to write and express my opinions and i will never force anyone to accept it.

While very few people have commented on them, i am indeed pleased that hundres of friends called and thanked me for coming out with an article to explain to all Malaysian's what steps MIC has taken to continue its role in the community.

In MIC we are commited to the cause and we will not let it go - even though there are critisism amongst a handfull Malaysian Indians - You can say whatever you want to say.

For all those friends who have commented on the Online Media 'www.malaysiakini.com' - I thank you very much, i have read your comments and i know how much of passion you have for the community, one thing for sure - i have read them and i understand your opinion. I may not agree to some of the opinion and the type of words that you have mentioned, but who am i to tell you, how you should write and how should not write.

All i wanted to do is to tell Malaysians what we have done and what we want to do, and, i have done that, and, i will continue to do so.

The article goes on like this;

These are tumultuous times for political parties who inhabit the landscape of the Malaysian political scene.

Since 2008 general election it cannot be denied that there have been profound changes in the way political parties have to strive to become more attuned to the voice of the people as well as their explicit and implicit needs.

Although the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) fared badly in the last general election yet with challenges also come the opportunity for growth and change that is needed to evolve and adept to better fulfill the purpose and agenda of the party and nation.

The party has been around since 1946 and part of the reason for its longevity is the ability of the party to re-mould and re-shape itself whenever the need arises.

In this vein of thought the MIC has taken numerous steps to strengthen itself and navigate the today’s choppy political waters successfully. After much soul searching it is with quiet confidence and sturdy faith that I believe the MIC is on track to become the voice of the Indian community of this country again.

The party has consolidated itself and become more united than ever. New blood with new ideas has been given the opportunity to serve and a strong platform to do so. The parties last Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the election results have brought in three new vice presidents and also many new young faces to the Central Working Committee (CWC).

Youthful choices were also made for by the president in appointing critical positions within the party such as secretary general, treasurer general and information chief.

Besides this the party has also been very steadfast in reinventing itself from within thru various workshops and forums.

The re-branding exercise is going at full throttle and the members are being sensitized to change themselves and move towards a people centric and optimum service performance level to better reach and impact the community in line with the honorable Prime Ministers call of people first performance now.

The party duly strengthened is now focusing very efficiently in bringing the Indian communities grouses to the forefront of the government. The people’s needs and aspirations are the utmost priority of the party and all tools that enhance this aim are continuously being sharpened and bettered.

The MIC is thus poised to remain as the voice and conduit of the community to reach the government and fulfill their potential.

On the other hand other parties that claim to champion rights of the Indian community seem to have lost their momentum after a crescendo of false starts.

The Malaysian Makkal Sakti Party (MMSP) being a case in point of this scenario, barely six months old and they are already facing a leadership tussle and severe politicking and infighting within the party.

Hindraf movement leader P.Uthayakumar hasn’t done anything productive or constructive for the community since its formation.

The Hindraf 5 behind the November 25th rally has all broken up and constantly finger pointing instead of working to ease the plight of the community.

Even within the Barisan Nasional (BN) Indian based political parties have their share of issues. The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) hierarchy seems busy and content to play presidents musical chair while the Registrar of Societies (ROS) figures out the winner.

The Indian Progressive Front (IPF) has lost direction and motivation since the untimely demise of Tan Sri M G Pandithan, they too are caught in legal battles and polemics of position clamoring within the party.

On the opposition front several peoples representatives in Selangor who are Indians have voiced their dissatisfaction over their own state government’s efforts to help the Indian community. One PKR parliamentarian has gone as far to say that the state government has lost the support of the vital Indian bloc because of their ineffectiveness in dealing with the problems of the Indians within the state.

All these points have cemented the position and validated the argument that the MIC is the ideal institution to represent the Indian community in this country. The MIC is aware of the grave responsibility such a position entails as is doing and will continue to do all that is needed and that is best to further spur the growth of the Indian society in Malaysia. The party will continue to be the beacon of the community in safeguarding their interests and unearthing opportunities for the community’s social, financial, economic, cultural and academic well being.

A SENSE OF URGENCY

Some time back i remember reading a book titled 'a sense of URGENCY' written by a well known author John P. Kotter. But when i was reading that book, never did i realise that one day the Malaysian Indian Congress would be looking into this way, or shall i say looking into 'A SENSE OF URGENCY'.

I am very sure that if Mr. John. P Kotter were to know that a political party in Malaysia has looked along that way, i am indeed sure that he would be pleased.

Many of my friends whom i have met recently, asked me so many questions on what was this workshop that Malaysian Indian Congress Organised? Can this workshop really bring out the best amongst the grassroot leaders?

I did answer them to the best of my ability, while many nodded with agreement that it is possible, some just walked away 'probably thinking i was day dreaming'.

I have decided to write a little bit more for those who could not understand what i was trying to explain.

The Malaysian Indian Congress recently had a forum titled “A Sense OF Urgency”. The forum was attended by all national and state leaders but was geared especially for the division chairmen’s as they were the primary target audience.

Many would still remember the words of our Y.A.B. Prime Minister - Dato Sri Najib Tun Razak, during his opening remarks at the Malaysian Indian Congress’s 63rd Assembly ‘It is of no use, if we are popular within the party, but what is important is to be popular amongst the people’. Taking it from that point and based on one of the most important motives of the forum was to enlighten and raise awareness of the party leaders at the divisional level and members on the urgent need for transformation within the party in order to become more relevant, and besides that, we emphasised on the importance to be more people centric especially in the vastly complex and competitive political landscape of today.

This was done firstly thru a very honest and transparent look into the current mechanics of the party. Using the ever popular SWOT analysis, questions such as, what are our strengths? What are our weaknesses? What are the opportunities that can be gained from the present political scenario? and What are the threats that face the party? These questions were delved into in a very introverted and honest manner. Though some of the answers to these questions were painful, yet they were necessary in order to make the party members aware of the urgency of the matter at hand and also finding proactive answers to deal with these questions.

The next part of the forum concentrated on answering these questions. This covered various topics of discussion and ranged from common courtesies that a leader should have to more practical matters such as proper documentation when handling the people’s problems. The primary aim of this part of the forum was to educate, inform and inspire the leaders present on how their every action and reaction will affect the public’s perception of the party. Each member from the branch right up to the party’s top echelon are roaming ambassadors of the parties image and should behave in a way that befits the party was the message conveyed.

The last part of the forum focused on the Key Performance Index that the party has decided to introduce. The KPI would be the yardstick to determine if a division or branch leader has succeeded in proving their mantle as representatives of the party to the grassroots population they should be serving. The participants of the forum were informed on how the KPI system would work and also told of the importance of meeting the standards in the battle to win the hearts and minds of the Indian community and society at large. The key transformation here was to galvanise seat wormers into heart warmers of the community, to inspire humility that exalts service to race and nation, to implement best practice solutions even during the worst of crisis’s.

By and far I’m happy to note that the forum was a tremendous success and also eye opener for many present. However the true measure of success begins after the forum. I truly believe that the message of transformation will be heard across the country where the party is flag is raised. The urgency of the moment can and I’m confident will be seized by the leaders and members to better serve the people and community. This forum is intended to be the catalyst for the party to become more service cantered and people friendly and become a micro facet of the government’s clarion call of “People First Performance Now.

I believe that change is possible and like how Barack Obama's campaing said - CHANGE - IN WHAT YOU BELIEVE YOU CAN.

I sibscribe to that whole heartedly and i will work towards that.