opinion

Contrary to the critics, MIC is the largest grouping of organised Indians which has gained the confidence of a majority of Indian Malaysians.

This is reflected in every general elections held in Malaysia. While there is democratic space to reflect critically, it is imperative that there is a uniting of different sections of the community in addressing the social needs, issues and concerns of the community.

This is the 'smart partnership' so often highlighted in contemporary governance between public, private and civil society.

No one organisation whether political, socio-economic, religious, cultural, education can effectively claim a total monopoly of the community. It is the MIC that is the lead organisation for the Indian community in Malaysia.

While individuals might differ in their understanding and perception, they cannot deny the role the MIC has played and is playing in championing the cause of the Indian Malaysian community under the leadership of S Samy Vellu.

Doubtful poll

One key area is Tamil school education. Over the years there has been tremendous effort in championing this issue through the rebuilding of Tamil schools and infrastructure developments to ensure a better quality of teaching and environment in the schools.

Numerous dialogues and sessions have been held with headmasters, teachers and parents on the one hand and with education ministry officials on the other. This has borne fruit as shown by the very positive results obtained by Tamil schools in last year's UPSR exam.

This is an ongoing process and together we will strive. With an increasing number of Tamil parents sending their children to Tamil schools as reflected in the recent intake, it is important for the community to lobby the government for the improved facilities and a quality of teaching-learning experience.

S Samy Vellu no doubt will be at the head of leading new initiatives for the Tamil schools.

The recent New Straits Times article on Tamil education published on Jan 9, while highlighting some critical dimensions, contained a number of inaccuracies and a distortion of reality.

First, no details were given on the NST online poll, namely the background of the parents who responded to the questions of Tamil school education. A majority of NST readers would be middle-class English-educated Indians who have negative view of Tamil schools and who themselves have not been to Tamil schools.

Methodologically, this sample would not be reflective of the entire Tamil population or the aspirations of parents who place their confidence in Tamil schools.

Narrow focus

Second, on the issue of inadequate facilities in Tamil schools, while there is room for improvements, there have been systematic attempts to improve the conditions.

There might be shortage of classrooms in certain schools however based on a recent survey undertaken by the Yayasan Strategik Social, but there aren't 'hundreds of Tamil schools without blackboards, chalk, tables and chairs' as claimed by one Sathish Ramachandran.

He must produce a list of these 'hundreds of schools' or apologise to the community for painting a negative picture of Tamil schools and Tamil school education.

It is this negative image projection and stereotyping which is re-enforcing images of the Indian community as backward and non-progressive community in modern Malaysia. It is a sweeping over-generalisation that must be substantiated with accurate facts.

Third, while I recognise the zeal and commitment of certain individuals for Tamil school education, I disagree with their narrow focus on only primary education as the solution to the community's social mobility. The educational and human resource development of the community has to be reviewed from pre-school to postgraduate qualifications.

A number of critical points have fail to be recognised. If a former Tamil school student has managed to become a lawyer, his aspiration must be for all Tamil school students to pursue higher education.

Surprising language

In this context the new MIC university will be an additional avenue to apply to. Education in the United Kingdom is not only outside the reach of many parents who send their children to Tamil school but also for most middle-class families due to the high exchange rate.

However, the MIC university will provide opportunities not only in medicine but also in science and technology. Access to affordable higher education is one critical dimension that must be addressed to ensure the community has more options before them.

I am surprise by the language used by one S Pasupathi in the NST article. He said: "I don't know where the leaders have their brains". I am even more concerned by the editorial policy of the New Straits Times in publishing it. This statement and unprofessional approach raises questions as to the true intention of the speaker, writer and publisher.

Why can't these individuals recognise that the Barisan National-led government has given the approval to MIC to set up this Indian Malaysian-owned university? It is the only one in the country with a majority Indian ownership and where the vice-chancellor will be an Indian.

Why is it when the MCA received approval for its university, the Chinese community rallied behind it but in the case of the MIC, some so-called professional Indians decried the achievement?

There are many differences of opinion within the Chinese community yet on education they work together. Why can't the Indians do likewise?

Strength in unity

Indians must work together. For far too long sections within the community have sought to build their little kingdoms that keep the community divided. MIC provides the largest base for common networking and joint action. Let us find common ground, pool our resources and build our community.

Let this be a year of vision and goal-getting, putting our differences aside and mobilising the entire community - political, social, religious, business and educational sections - for the advancement of the community and nation. After all, united we stand, divided we fall.

DR DENISON JAYASOORIA is the exective director of the Yayasan Strategik Sosial, the community development arm of the MIC.