Prominent businessman Kenneth Eswaran’s claim that the future of Indian Malaysians lies with the MIC has not gone down well with counterparts in the Indian business circle.

Kenneth, who heads the Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI), was quoted as saying in a Tamil Nesan report: “The opportunities for Indians and good future of Indians are only obtainable through MIC in Barisan Nasional.

“Other parties cannot do achieve that. The MAICCI is willing to cooperate with the MIC for the sake of developing the Indian community.”

Johor Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JICCI) executive committee member K Selvakumaran questioned the statement, made at a recent meeting which he had attended. Kenneth is deputy president of JICCI.

k selvakumaran jicci “He spoke only on political issues, instead of issues concerning the chambers. Previously he was against (MIC president) S Samy Vellu. He called us to work for the community. I agreed to that,” Selvakumaran ( photo ) said.

“He met Samy Vellu on Sunday and has changed his tune since then. Two others and I walked out of the meeting when he made the call. He is trying to obtain personal gain by giving up his own community.

“All the others kept quiet due to his close connections to (premier) Najib (Abdul Razak). Our president, Wahid Abdul Ghani, later said that the statement is Kenneth’s personal view and that the chambers do not share the view.”

Selvakumaran, who is also Tebrau PKR division deputy head, claimed that 50 percent of JICCI members are PKR members.

Comment ‘highly unusual’

Malaysian Indian Business Association president P Sivakumar said it is the norm of a business organisation to “remain apolitical and neutral, regardless of which political party is ruling the country”.

eswaran maicci 2 23_01_2009 “I am surprised to read Kenneth’s comment. He can comment on issues, but (this) is surprising and totally uncalled for,” he said.

“We had disassociated ourselves from MAICCI ever since Kenneth passed a remark about Hindraf (Hindu Rights Action Force).”

Kenneth (left) was not available for comment as he is in a business delegation that has accompanied premier Najib Abdul Razak to South Korea.