'Hindraf movement not able to minimise the role of MIC'

Kuala Lumpur, Sep 8 : The Hindraf movement has not been able to minimise the role of Malaysian Indian Congress as the big brother for the Indian community in getting identity cards or birth certificates, business and taxi licenses, or to solve financial or family problems.

MIC Youth chief T. Mohan said while some Indians might approach Hindraf over temple issues or to protest about some issues, there was no drop in the number of people calling at the MIC for help.

He was asked to comment on a recent report by an online portal that Hindraf had been inundated with appeals for assistance from the Indian community.

"I would say that there has been a significant increase in those seeking our help. Previously, as MIC Youth's Social Welfare Development bureau head, I used to receive many people at my office in Puchong on Wednesdays but the number has increased now," he said.

Mohan said a service centre had been set up at the movement's new office. A full-time officer was on hand six days a week to attend to public complaints and two others to liaise with the government to solve problems, he added.

He said MIC president S. Samy Vellu and Human Resources Minister Dr S. Subramaniam were also constantly receiving people seeking help.

Meanwhile, Perak Hindraf co-ordinator A. Vathemurthy claimed that Hindraf had captured the imagination of the majority of Malaysian Indians.

He said Hindraf leaders were kept busy taking up cases of Indians in line with the group's struggle to safeguard the constitutional rights of Indians in the country, the NST Online reported.

"We're constantly highlighting community issues related to land, schools, scholarships, financial assistance and poverty. As we've no funds, we bring the issues to the media in order to solve the problems," he said.

ANI