Recently MIC president S Samy Vellu, who is also the president of the MIED (Malaysian Indian Education Development) fund, declared that he will not publish names of MIED loan defaulters.

He said this was to protect the integrity of the debtors. He ridiculously said that MIED will not follow the example of other education funds like the PTPTN and Mara who are considering or have published the names of their loan defaulters in the press.

The MIED's funds are collected from the public to help less fortunate poor Indian students to further their education. These funds need to be managed properly to ensure their continuity well into the future.

Any attempt to shield MIED loan defaulters is uncalled for and against the spirit of being transparent and clean. MIC members and the public who have contributed to MIED need to address this issue seriously.

The time has come for a new team - mainly professionals - to manage MIED funds as entrusted to it by the public. The president of MIED must come clean before his impending retirement and find the right way to recover loans from borrowers.