GE13: Samy: Don’t buy into DAP promises - The Star

GE13: Samy: Don’t buy into DAP promises

By A. LETCHUMANAN
letchu@thestar.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: Former MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu has hit out at the Opposition for making last-minute promises in a bid to garner Indian votes for the 13th general election.

He said DAP's announcing the party's so-called blueprint for the Indians clearly showed that Pakatan Rakyat, as a whole, was not interested in the community's well-being.

“Why should only DAP come out with a separate blueprint for the Indians when it should be the Pakatan's task? This shows that the coalition is not sincere in helping the Indian community,” he added.

Samy Vellu, who is the Special Envoy for Infrastructure for India and South Asia, said the fact that only DAP had “invented something out of thin air for the Indian community” reflected the double standards practised by the Opposition pact.

DAP, he said, had all the while been seen as a Chinese-based party. “But all of a sudden, it is seen as championing the Indian community,” he pointed out.

Samy Vellu, who is also BN Sungai Siput Parlimentary constituency chairman, said DAP had realised that Pakatan was losing the support of the Indians.

“This is not the right way. They have to be sincere in what they want to do for the Indians. Don't just come out with a last-minute plan to woo the Indians. The so-called blueprint by DAP for the Indians did not receive the support of the Pakatan leadership.

“If it did, why must only (party adviser) Lim Kit Siang announce the so-called blueprint?”

Samy Vellu said Barisan Nasional, under Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's leadership, has rolled out an action plan for the community, which is being implemented.

“The Indians have benefited from this, and they will continue to enjoy the benefits if they vote for the Barisan in the coming elections,” he added.

DAP unveiled a 14-point action plan last Sunday for the community.

The promises include a pledge to resolve the problems of stateless Indians within 100 days of a Pakatan administration.

Kit Siang announced the plan at a DAP gathering in Gelang Patah, Johor, attended by senior Indian leaders that included MPs and state assemblymen.

One of the pledges is to set up a national housing board to build decent and affordable housing for the marginalised groups, especially displaced Indian plantation workers.

Others include making national-type Tamil schools fully funded with good infrastructure, investing in technical and vocational training and implementing a RM1,100 minimum wage scheme.