Witnessing Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) big gun S Arutchelvan speak at a Malaysian Indian Congress-sponsored event is an opportunity not to be missed. The Indian party's groundbreaking move to solicit views from allies and adversaries alike for input on the Ninth Malaysian Plan is certainly worth my Sunday.

The MIC has had an ambiguous relationship with the ethnic community it claims to represent. There are those who view the MIC as the pillar of the people, fighting for their rights at the highest levels of government.

Others see it as nothing more than a parasite, using its privileged position to channel government contracts and assistance to party elites, while claiming to be powerless in addressing grassroots needs such as a minimum wage for plantation workers, provision of low-cost housing and the improvement of the Tamil education system.

Given such a controversial reputation, it is a welcome surprise that MIC has been able to gather such a wide spectrum of representation for its upcoming forum on the Ninth Malaysian Plan. The list of speakers reads as a who's who within the Indian community, including prominent members of civil society, corporate sector, the civil service and unions.

Notable exceptions are distinguished members of non-BN political parties. The exception is PSM secretary general S Arutchelvan who will speak on behalf of the Plantation Workers Support Committee (PWSC). Asked how he feels about speaking at a MIC event, he said "I have no problems talking to any groups, as far important issues can be highlighted. We have been doing work in the field, and we feel we can contribute to the discussion."

Arul says that the recommendations of the PWSC can be easily implemented. "Take for example, the call for Tamil schools to be fully government aided. Similarly, the call for plantation workers to be given land or a low-cost house when their plantations are developed," he says.