I refer to the article South Indian Labour Fund revisited . I understand the issues raised by the author S Nagarajan. I, too, have been following the issues since 1999. He should read my articles in full and within context. I have written three this year. They are available here .

It was Yayasan Strategik Sosial and the MIC that brought the issue of the NTS Arumugam Pillai Skills Training Institute back into public limelight in that no Indians had registered for the January 2005 intake.

We now have an opportunity to remedy the situation for the July intake. While a revisit of history is helpful, we now must work to ensure that this new institute can continue to be of assistance to the Indian community especially plantation workers and their children.

The institute was built with an additional RM60 million grant under the 8th Malaysia Plan. This itself is an element of success.

The critical issue for the moment is the July intake. There are 75 places. How many can we recruit for the course? Leaders from the Malaysian Hindu Sangam, the Tamil Bell Club, the Hindu Youth Organisation and the Malaysian Association of Youth Councils were taken by YSS to visit the institute on March 15.

MIC's northern leaders also attended the briefing. They have all agreed to assist in the recruitment of students. We also got some coverage in the media with promises for more.

Human Resources Ministry staff are prepared to give talks to local groups and they have been doing this in Nibong Tebal. They have done handbills both Bahasa Malaysia and Tamil. They will also be advertising the July intake soon in the Tamil newspapers.

My sincere question to Nagarajan is whether he can also assist us in this enrollment exercise? We also need his assistance to recruit students for Giat Mara's July intake. Will he inform his grassroots about these enrollments? We are seeking the help of all groups to assist us in these exercises.

MIC president S Samy Vellu is taking up other matters with the Human Resources Ministry with regards to lowering the admission requirements, offering short courses etc.

I hope Nagarajan, through the Tamil Foundation, will write to the minister of human resources and urge him to review the promises made to the community in 1999. He (Nagarajan) can also pay the institute a visit.

Most of all, it would be great if Nagarajan could make sure that the information on available courses at the institute reaches the youths he is working with. Only with their enrollment can we continue to have a meaningful role for this institute in the future.