Brickbats will not deter Wanita MIC chief P Komala Devi from leading the women's wing in surviving the post-2008 political environment.

"Over the past year, we are forced to consolidate. We have to travel a lot, keep in touch, inspire and engage with one another," she told Malaysiakini in an exclusive interview.

NONE "But we need to have a mindset change in terms of what it means to be a ' ketua wanita ' (women’s leader). Don't think that ' ketua cawangan wanita ' (branch-level women leaders) is not important. You are the 'MP' and 'adun' there. You must know everything. Do not say you cannot help.

"I am slowly trying to groom them by creating an environment where people can express their thoughts and ideas. We must inspire and motivate them," she added.

Komala said she is creating a forum for the women to get involved because they must claim ownership of the party.

They must learn decision-making, gain confidence, deal with difficult issues and not just do one activity after another, she added.

"I want Wanita to be progressive and modern to move with the times," she stressed, adding that it is important to infuse young and new blood into the party.

"I always remind them that 80 percent is for activities while 20 percent is for reflection. They must keep looking at where they are and where they want to go. We must be more vocal. We need more enthusiasm and unity," she said.

Defends re-branding exercise

Meanwhile, Komala also hit out at critics who have described the MIC re-branding exercise as being superficial.

"What the president (S Samy Vellu) is trying to do is to bring about a change in mindset. Of course if it is only about changing the logo and uniform, definitely it is very superficial.

"It is superficial only to the critics who fail to grasp the true meaning of the exercise. The true meaning is to bring about a mindset change in terms of how they deal with the public, how they gain back the lost ground and engage with the grassroots," she explained.

"As far as I know, we still have the same logo. The logo has not changed. Re-branding is not just about changing the logo. Those are all simple things.

"Changing mindsets take time, involve hard work. Members must be willing to change," she added.

Disappointed that many in Wanita MIC are not savvy enough, she said that a paradigm shift in the mindset of its members is of paramount importance.

"My ladies must read. It is important for them to read about leadership and various other subjects. They must be knowledgeable about the issues in the community, the opportunities that are available in the government and where to take the problems to.

"Some of my leaders do not have much education but they have got the drive, commitment and passion. They believe in what they do," she said.

Doing things differently

Komala acknowledged that the party was "shaken up" and forced to have a "re-look" following the political tsunami last year.

"To survive we need to do things in a different way. Change is very important. Our change is to get back our voters. We must understand what our voters want.

"People are keen to know what is happening at the national level. They want to know whether their children are getting places in the critical courses in universities, do they have a chance for promotion in the government service, can they join the police force and rise in ranks or remain a corporal for the rest of their lives.

"I covered every fire and flood last year and yet I lost in the general election. People are becoming more educated and they are more aware of national issues and policies. They are concerned about equal opportunities.

"I believe that doing activities alone is not enough. People are looking at bigger things," she explained.

While acknowledging that the movement must do social work, Komala also stressed that MIC's primary role is to function as a political party.

“When the public sees Wanita MIC, what do we want them to see? What image do you want them to have? Work towards it.

"We are a political party and we must rule. A political party that does not rule has no meaning. We are not an NGO (non-governmental organisation) doing social service only," she said.

"We are fighting for 30 percent women in decision making. If you look at the Dewan Rakyat, there are still less than 10 percent women," she said.

She proposed that MIC Wanita and Youth leaders be automatically made vice-presidents of the party.

"We will put a resolution on that because we want women to go into mainstream politics. We are elected by our delegates and we also have to go through a lot of campaigning and travelling," she said.

The president's men

samy vellu exclusive on tamil schools 080708 06 Asked if Samy Vellu naming his "team of leaders" could create further discord in the party, Komala said the president is entitled to name whomever he feels comfortable working with.

"Finally, the delegates will decide. I suppose politicians accept this as part and parcel of politics, like what they say ‘asam garam’.

"At the end, anyone can say that this is their team but the voters still decide. The president gave reasons why he selected certain people," she said.

Komala said she is looking forward to the party elections as it would force leaders to come down from their pedestals.

"Prior to this, when there was no elections for the Wanita, leaders returned unopposed because there was no contest. There is no meaning to being a delegate then.

"But now leaders must keep in touch with the grassroots all the time and be enthusiastic, positive and hope for a brighter future," she explained.

Asked if she is aware of her rivals in the party elections, Komala said that she can only tell on Aug 8.

"I do not know who my rivals are, it is too premature. I have only one team, the MIC team," she said.

She also brushed aside suggestions for her to step down as Wanita MIC chief.