On June 24, the largest and the only political party that represents the Indian community in the government and Parliament will be holding their AGM cum elections. I notice with interest that the party supremo is naming his 'preferred' candidates for all the positions, from the party's No 2 post right up to the CWC.

I can understand his reason for nominating his preferred choice for the No 2 post but could not find logic in him acting undemocratically by nominating 'preferred' candidate for all positions.

Is the president underestimating the thinking ability of MIC delegates and their wisdom to decide on the party's future leaders? What is the purpose of holding an AGM and election if one cannot think and vote for one's own candidate independently?

Holding the AGM costs a huge sum of money and especially with an election. May I suggest that since the party president has made up his mind on who should be elected, why not just hold a CWC meeting, order some cakes, 'vadai' and 'tosai' from the stall next to the MIC building and finish off the meeting with less than RM1,000 incurred?

How is my idea? Cost-saving, right? Please don't get me wrong, I have a high respect for all the MIC delegates, especially loyal party members who travel to KL on their own expense. Unfortunately, they are not given their due right and recognition to decide for themselves

It is time for all delegates to wake up and speak for justice, professionalism and unity. Delegates must change the 'yes man' syndrome in this AGM.

On a related matter, I read with great concern the report Let PM be minister for non-Muslim affairs . One wonders what is wrong with these Hindu groups comprising NGOs and temple chairmen and so on.

Why drag the PM into issues like the demolition of temples? You have your representatives in the cabinet, none other than YB S Samy Vellu, whom you people worship like a hero.

You have MIC's information chief VKK Teagarajan who claims to have contributed effectively to Hindu youth organisations. You have G Palanivel, who is the MIC chief for Selangor, the most affected state as far as demolition of Hindu temples are concerned.

Why isn't any pressure put on these leaders? They are the ones who go around the country claiming to champion the rights of Indian Malaysians. Why all of a sudden is Pak Lah now being 'nominated' to become minister for non-Muslim affairs?

I would like to call upon Indian Malaysians in this country to wake up and stand up for your rights in the political, social and economic spheres in order to restore our pride and self respect .

We need new blood not only in the MIC but in most of Hindu NGOs as well.