The Malaysian Associated Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI) has called on all menteris besar and chief ministers to seriously consider appointing members of MAICCI's affiliated state chambers for the posts of councilors in their respective state district and municipal councils.

"We strongly recommend the inclusion of members from the respective state chambers so as to enable the district and municipal councils to effectively represent the Indian business community.

S Rengasamy (sec-gen Malaysian Associated Indian Chamber of Commerce) "Such a move will augur well for the individual states in fully serving the people’s aspirations and expectations after the general election of March 8," said MAICCI secretary-general S Rengasamy in a statement.

He said the presence of Indian businessmen as representatives will only make the councils more effective in terms of being business oriented and will further help the councils to understand the problems and predicaments currently faced by the Indian business community in the respective areas.

The rakyat's choice

He said the 13 state Indian chambers affiliated to MAICCI are well poised to champion the Indian cause and to cater for the needs of the Indian business community.

"The appointment of non-politicians and businessmen into the district and municipal councils would only serve the residents in a more professional and effective manner.

"Their primary focus would be the betterment of the respective residents rather than their own political agenda as it is practiced now by the representatives from the political parties," he added

According to Rengasamy, this call is echoed by business leaders and professionals throughout the country, especially after the recent elections where the electorate has spoken so clearly in seeking better representation of rights and interests of minorities and various groups.

"It is clear that the rakyat prefer non-politicians in such appointments so that the duties and responsibilities entrusted to them could be discharged without fear or favour and without fear of repercussions from the respective political parties.

"It is hoped that all the heads of the states would consider MAICCI’s proposal in order for the Indian community to be served fairly and equitably in accordance with the government’s policy of equality," he said.

He pointed out that the appointment of councilors from the state chambers would reflect maturity, independence and neutrality, whilst helping restore the confidence of Malaysians in moving towards a more progressive and pragmatic society.

For all races

Supporting MAICCI’s call was Malaysian Indian Business Association (Miba) president P Sivakumar.

p sivakumar He said the business community - regardless of race - has been waiting for this opportunity for a long time.

"For years, it has been a tradition for Barisan Nasional component parties to nominate political members to the various councils," he told Malaysiakini .

More often than not, he said, these councillors serve the interest of their political masters instead of resolving the issues confronting the business community.

"It’s a case of party versus public interest," stressed the Johor-based businessman.

"The councils are in dire need of representation from the business circle, people who know the problems and how to address the issues. We need talented people to sit in these councils," he added.

In view of this, Sivakumar said a fair number of seats must be allocated to all business associations representing all the races in the country.

"This can be very effective, these are the changes that people are expecting. Business people are facing many complex problems. The political appointees do not understand this," he added.