Palanivel set to rally MIC members at party's general assembly

Dec 6 2012 - The Star

PETALING JAYA: After Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's rallying call at the Umno general assembly last week, it is now MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel's turn to set the tone for his party to woo support from the people.

The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department will drive home a message of unity to about 1,500 delegates and 2,000 observers in his presidential address at the party's 66th general assembly here on Sunday.

Observers said the president was likely to remind delegates of MIC's commitment to championing the cause of Malaysian Indians and address pertinent issues concerning the community.

To win the support of the community, Palanivel will appeal to members to serve the people's needs in a more coordinated way. One of the approaches undertaken is turning state MIC offices into service centres for the people since last year.

Palanivel has been out to match words with deeds since taking over as party supremo from Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu in December 2010, given the setback the party suffered in the 2008 general election.

The split Indian votes caused Barisan Nasional dearly, with the ruling coalition losing its two-thirds majority for the first time.

As Prime Minister, Najib has been backing Palanivel through various initiatives, including short-term financial grants to uplift the community socially and economically.

Palanivel will surely highlight the positive results from initiatives to empower Indian entrepreneurs, namely via the RM180mil special government allocation managed by the special secretariat for empowerment of Indian entrepreneurs.

MIC secretary-general Datuk S. Murugesan encouraged delegates to focus on the six resolutions to be tabled during the one-day assembly, which will include entrepreneurship, job opportunities in the public sector for Indians, skills training for Indian youths and an education blueprint for Indian students,

“Since we are short on time, we hope delegates will focus on these topics,'' he added.

Palanivel can certainly leverage on MIC's “turnaround” since the last general election and make his case to delegates and members to go all out and give it their best shot.