2 theSun | MONDAY MAY 11 2009

news without borders

MIC invites Hindraf Let PPP decide on Murugiah

issue, says Muhyiddin
by Giam Say Khoon
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
happened so far and “we shall wait and see”.
On whether the matter will be brought up in

leaders for talks

KUALA LUMPUR: The MIC has invited Hin-
draf leaders for possible talks and partnership
for the sake of the Indian community.
MIC secretary-general Datuk Dr S. Subra-
maniam said yesterday the party is ready to
hear the concerns and suggestions of Hindraf
leaders on how they could work together for the
benefit of the community.
He was commenting on Hindraf founder P.
Uthayakumar’s interview with a news portal,
following his release from detention under the
Internal Security Act on Saturday, during which
he vowed to continue to fight for the community
which, he alleged, was marginalised.
Subramaniam also invited Hindraf leaders
to join the MIC, saying that since they shared a
common goal of elevating the living standards
of the community, they will be able to achieve
the objective better if they work as one.
“I am for a united Indian community, as we
can see all the splintering in the group did not
help the community.”
He espressed hope that whatever bitterness
existed previously will be done away with.
Hindraf leaders Uthayakumar, M. Manoha-
ran and K. Vasanthakumar, who were held at
the Kamunting detention camp since late last
year, were released, together with 10 others
detainees, on Saturday.
Earlier last month, Prime Minister Datuk
Seri Najib Abdul Razak, in his maiden speech,
had announced the release of 13 ISA detainees,
including Hindraf leaders V. Ganabatirau and
R. Kenghadharan.
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To a question on whether the Hindraf leaders
might form a political party to serve its cause as
the opposition parties, which it was currently
allied to, had failed them, Subramaniam said:
“Now, they are an illegal movement. But it is
their right and absolutely nobody can stop them
if they want to form a political party, as long as
they are following the proper process, and the
decision is up to the Home Ministry.”
On another matter, Subramaniam, who is
also the human resources minister, said he had
not decided to contest the party’s No. 2 post,
despite strong support, from both within and
outside the party. – Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Tan
Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the Barisan Nasional
will allow the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) to
decide on its executive council’s proposal on Sat-
urday to sack Datuk T. Murugiah, who is a deputy
minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.
Speaking to reporters after taking part in
the Patron’s Cup competition organised by Tan
Sri Muhyiddin Charity Golf (TSMCG) yesterday,
Muhyiddin hoped the PPP can solve its internal
problem as soon as possible.
He said the BN did not have the right to inter-
fere in a component party’s internal problem.
On Saturday, PPP president Datuk M. Kayveas
said the party’s executive council had proposed that
Murugiah be sacked after the party’s annual general
meeting on June 7 because of complaints received
against him from within and outside the party.
He said the complaints included alleged in-
volvement in money politics, failure to represent
the party or cooperating with its leaders, and
using his position for self promotion.
Kayveas was also reported to have said that
party members would lodge reports with the
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission against
Murugiah for alleged involvement in money
politics next week.
Asked what will happen to Murugiah’s position
in the government if he is sacked, Muhyiddin said
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak will
decide on it after learning the issue. He said it is
still too early to talk about it because nothing has
the next BN council meeting, Muhyiddin said it is
up to Kayveas to do so.
“We would also like to know what has actu-
ally happened because there are already a lot
of problems faced by BN and we would want to
avoid more problems so that we can focus on
strengthening the coalition and avoid affecting
our image in the eyes of the people as well as
our status as a government,” he said.
Muhyiddin, who is also the education minister,
said he would propose to make sports an impor-
tant curriculum in schools to make a balanced
education system.
He also touched on the challenges in empha-
sising sports in the education system as there is a
shortage of school fields and sports teachers.
“Schools without fields can share it with other
schools that have it. I am also mulling incentives to
have more male teachers who can teach sports.”.
Earlier, the TSMCG donated RM220, 000 to 20
charity organisations and pre-celebrated Muhyid-
din’s 62nd birthday, which will fall on May 15.
Bernama reports that Murugiah will meet Na-
jib tomorrow in connection with the PPP proposal
to sack him.
Murugiah told reporters he only knew of his
proposed sacking after reading the newspapers.
“I dont’ want to comment on it. I leave it all to
God almighty,” he said after opening a small busi-
ness, agriculture and franchise seminar here.
Murugiah, the PPP’s sole representative in the
government, called for patience, adding that the
truth would prevail.

MB criticises media for ‘unfair reporting’

TAIPING: Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr
Zambry Abdul Kadir expressed regret yesterday
over what he claimed as unfair reporting by
some local media with regard to the ruckus at
the Perak State Assembly sitting on Thursday.
“Reports and pictures published in the
media did not portray who actually started the
fiasco ... I urge the media to be objective and
fair in their reporting,” he told reporters.
“Some pictures published, portrayed as if
Barisan Nasional was responsible to start the
ruckus. If the media did not support BN, it is
Zambry said the fiasco only started when
the Opposition crossed over to the section
where BN representatives were seated, when
he tabled a motion.
“Who started the ruckus? ... it was they (Op-
position) who initially attacked us and that was
an irresponsible and uncivilised action.”
The action of the Opposition to grab and
change the names of seats that were supposed
to be for the BN was also not reported, he said.
Asked if any action would be taken against
such media, he said the state government re-

BERNAMAPIX
okay but reports must be fair. We are not happy spected press freedom and would not restrict
with reports of some media.” or bar any media organisation. – Bernama

Muhyiddin
cuts a cake
made of
yellow pulut
rice that was
presented
briefs
to him by
Tan Sri Najib pays tribute
Muhyiddin
Charity Golf to mothers
members KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister
to mark Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak has
his 62nd paid tribute to mothers for their love,
birthday guidance, support and direction for
this week. their children. In his message posted
in his blog www.1malaysia.com.my
in conjunction with Mother’s Day, he
said nothing could compare with the
purity of a mother’s love. “Mother’s
Day is the day we pay tribute to
these very special women who had
brought us into this world and have
been instrumental for our success,”
he said. Expressing gratitude and love
for his own mother Tun Rahah Mohd
Noah, Najib said: “I remember the
guidance and supportive presence of
my beloved mother while growing up
as the eldest of five sons.”
‘Retain Tan as Sabah
deputy CM’
KOTA KINABALU: Deputy Chief
Minister Datuk Raymond Tan, who
joined Gerakan on Tuesday, should
be given the opportunity to continue
as a member of the state cabinet
until the next general election, Umno
Supreme council member Datuk Lajim
Ukin said. The local government and
housing deputy minister said the politi-
cal woes facing the former Sabah Pro-
gressive Party (SAPP) deputy president
was not his fault. “As a SAPP founder,
Tan is willing to sacrifice and left the
party to remain in Barisan Nasional. It
is clear that he is loyal to the BN. The
BN leadership should therefore give a
special consideration, to at least give
him the opportunity to hold his post
until the next general election.”
Govt does not expect
‘thank you’ from Uthaya
KUALA LUMPUR: Home Minister Datuk
Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the
government does not expect P. Uthayaku-
mar to say thank you for his release from
detention under the Internal Security
Act. “We did not expect him to thank
the government. He is stubborn, tore his
shirt before his release and also spread
all sorts of lies. I like to remind him that
as a normal citizen free from the ISA, he
is not immuned from other laws,” he said
when commenting on Uthayakumar’s
statement that he would not thank the
government for the release. Hishammud-
din said the allegations and lies thrown
by Uthayakumar would be exposed and
that firm action would be taken against
him for breaking the law.