The PM flanked by MIC president Datuk Seri G Palanivel (left) and former president Datuk Seri Samy Vellu at MIC’s AGM today
KUALA LUMPUR: — The MIC must reclaim Indian voters as Barisan Nasional’s (BN) “fixed deposit” in the next general elections, Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today.
Palanivel had referred to Indians as BN's "fixed deposits", that was lost during the 2008 general election but the community is now warming up to BN once again.
“Fixed deposits will be subject to ‘economic inflation’, so we must constantly upgrade and support the fixed deposit scheme,” he said.
In his speech, Najib also urged delegates to label opposition promises as Janji Buah Pala (Kampung Buah Pala Promise)
“What are their promises? Janji Buah Pala, (as in) Kampung Buah Pala. I tell you, if the opposition makes promises, we shall equate it as Janji Buah Pala,” he said
He repeatedly egged delegates on during his speech by shouting “What are their promises?” to which delegates shout back, “Buah Pala!”
He said Pakatan Rakyat made an election promises that the traditional Indian village in Penang “can stay there forever”, but it turned out to be a lie.
The BN chairman reminded his coalition partners of their embarrassing defeat in Election 2008 when massive numbers of Indians voted in favour of the opposition parties that led to the birth of the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) pact, and urged them not to be swayed by empty promises.
“In the past 11 general elections, MIC was the main contributor to BN’s fixed deposit but in the 12th GE, it became something else when the government lost that fixed deposit.
“I hope in the 13th general elections, which are soon, MIC can return the fixed deposit to BN. Can, sirs?” the Umno president asked the thousands of delegates at the MIC assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) here, today.
Najib, who is also prime minister, reminded delegates that a vote for the opposition is “a vote for chaos.”
“Do you still remember what happened to the Kampung Buah Pala promise? Promises remain promises, only empty promises,” he said, raising the spectre of the 2009 housing controversy in Penang that signalled the start of the Indian community’s disenchantment with the PR pact they had voted in at the 12th general elections.
The Kampung Buah Pala controversy came about when the residents, who were mostly Indian squatters, were ordered to vacate the land before August 3 following the sale of the 2.6-hectare land by the previous BN state government to Koperasi Pegawai Kerajaan Pulau Pinang Bhd.
The villagers — nicknamed the High Chaparral, after the late 60s Western-themed television series about ranchers — had first sought the PR government’s help to intervene after they were issued eviction notices.
They turned against the state after failing to get Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to negotiate a compensation deal to their liking with the developer.
Najib had raised the same issue yesterday during a whirlwind tour of Penang.
Najib officiates MIC’s 66th AGM at PWTC in Kuala Lumpur today
“Sirs, you must remember, a vote for the opposition means a vote for chaos. Must remember that, sirs,” he told the MIC assembly today, the last before national elections are called.
In Election 2008, decades of frustrations at being left out of development saw the Indian community flee from BN’s side, adding to the ruling pact’s historical loss of its customary two-thirds parliamentary majority.
But since then, Najib has been actively courting the community, seen now as the possible game-changer for the coming 13th general election.
The PM reminded delegates at the MIC assembly today that a vote for the opposition is “a vote for chaos.”
For example, the prime minister allocated RM100 million to upgrade Tamil schools in Budget 2012, the same amount given to Chinese schools and religious schools.
The Indian vote is seen as crucial to determine BN’s future in the country as the next general election is expected to be a very closely fought battle between the ruling coalition and the fledgling PR pact.
Observers have claimed that Najib and BN leaders have lost confidence in the MIC’s ability to score the Indian vote, resulting in efforts by the prime minister to engage directly with the community, who form nearly 1.8 million out of the 28-million-strong population in Malaysia. Some 800,000 are registered voters.
Fixed deposits
Palanivel had referred to Indians as BN's "fixed deposits", that was lost during the 2008 general election but the community is now warming up to BN once again.
“Fixed deposits will be subject to ‘economic inflation’, so we must constantly upgrade and support the fixed deposit scheme,” he said.
In his speech, Najib also urged delegates to label opposition promises as Janji Buah Pala (Kampung Buah Pala Promise)
“What are their promises? Janji Buah Pala, (as in) Kampung Buah Pala. I tell you, if the opposition makes promises, we shall equate it as Janji Buah Pala,” he said
He repeatedly egged delegates on during his speech by shouting “What are their promises?” to which delegates shout back, “Buah Pala!”
He said Pakatan Rakyat made an election promises that the traditional Indian village in Penang “can stay there forever”, but it turned out to be a lie.
'Pakatan are temple destroyers'
The village was demolished to make way for a condominium project after the developer obtained a court order to evict the squatters.
However, the state government had said it was able to convincethe developer to build houses for the displaced villagers, except for nine families that refused to sign the compensation agreement.
Najib also slammed Pakatan Rakyat-led governments for demolishing Hindu temples, saying that seven had been demolished so far while BN had never done so.
“Of late, even a private shrine in Sepang was demolished. BN will help to rebuild it.
“MIC, go and repair the shrine. If they demolish it (again), then repair it again, because this is a right that cannot be destroyed or alienated by anyone, including the opposition.
“The Indian community must fight for their rights, right or not? If you have to sue them, sue them!” he shouted.
However, the state government had said it was able to convincethe developer to build houses for the displaced villagers, except for nine families that refused to sign the compensation agreement.
Najib also slammed Pakatan Rakyat-led governments for demolishing Hindu temples, saying that seven had been demolished so far while BN had never done so.
“Of late, even a private shrine in Sepang was demolished. BN will help to rebuild it.
“MIC, go and repair the shrine. If they demolish it (again), then repair it again, because this is a right that cannot be destroyed or alienated by anyone, including the opposition.
“The Indian community must fight for their rights, right or not? If you have to sue them, sue them!” he shouted.
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