As a result of the Hindraf rally, MIC is planning to set up a hotline to listen to the grievances of Indian Malaysians. Through this hotline, MIC will transmit the problems to the party big wigs. It looks like the usual way of complaining to your elected officials was not working too well for the Indians. Nevertheless, I think we should give this hotline a chance.

Once the hotline is up and running, I am sure it will be ringing almost non-stop. These are some of the questions my active imagination has conjured up:

Caller 1

My son got 5 As in his SPM but failed to get place in UTM for even a diploma course. My non-Indian neighbour managed a place in a degree course although he only got 2 As. How is that possible?

Caller 2

Sale of samsu is rampant in our estate. Many families are suffering when the head of the family becomes addicted to this poison. Can the MIC urge the government to take this issue seriously by banning the sale and consumption of samsu , as what they have done for ganja and other illicit drugs?

Caller 3

I just graduated and would like to join the public sector but I don't see any Indian director-generals anywhere. This has de-motivated me from joining the government sector. I want to work hard and reach the top. What can MIC do to remove this glass ceiling that discourages me and other Indians from joining the public sector?

Caller 4

I am in Form Six. I miss my Malay friends who were with me in Form Five. Most of them are now pursuing their studies overseas on government loans or scholarships. Can the MIC urge the government to send me also? I want to be with my friends again. Don't worry, my SPM results are as good as theirs.

Caller 5

I will be sitting for my PMR examinations next year. I live in an estate where the electricity is generated using a generator. The power goes off at 9pm just when I am about to do my homework and study for my exams. After school, I need to look after my siblings and do household chores since both my parents work as rubber tappers and are not home. Can the MIC do something to extend the power till midnight so that I can study hard for a brighter future?

Caller 6

Whatever happened to M Magendren and N Mohandas - the first Malaysians to conquer Mount Everest? Abdul Malik Mydin was made a Datuk for swimming across the English Channel. Why weren't these two heroes given a Datukship? Don't tell me that swimming across the channel is more difficult then reaching the Everest summit. Please right the wrong, MIC. It is better late than never.

Caller 7

My mom was born in Malaysia before 1957. She still has a red IC because she is only a permanent resident, not a citizen. I heard that the government has been giving citizenship to Indonesians who came here recently. Is this true? If yes, what can MIC do to help? She sent her application nine years ago and until today, nobody has touched her file.

Caller 8

I am calling from Malacca. It is insulting to have a place named Tanjung Keling after 50 years of independence. The government has changed many street and town names that has hints of colonial rule. Why not change Tanjung Keling’s name too since the "K" word is disrespectful to Indians?

It will be interesting for other Malaysian Indians to append this list of questions. S Samy Vellu is expecting calls to focus mainly on Tamil schools and Hindu temples. He may be surprised to find out that the Indian Malaysian community does not revolve around these two issues only. Be prepared to get an earful.