MIC tuntut kerusi di Sabah

PENAMPANG: Pengerusi Perhubungan MIC Sabah, Datuk V Jothi merayu kepada kerajaan Sabah agar mempercepatkan proses pemberian status Penduduk Tetap (PR) kepada masyarakat India yang bermastautin di Sabah lebih daripada 40 tahun.

Katanya, ramai dalam kalangan masyarakat kaum India di Sabah mempersoalkan kelambatan itu yang mana mengikut perjanjian terdahulu yang mengatakan bahawa mereka (kaum India) yang sudah menetap di Sabah lebih daripada dua tahun, layak untuk mendapatkan status penduduk tetap.

“Pihak saya juga telah mengenal pasti seramai 202 orang yang berhijrah ke Sabah pada tahun 1967 dan telah menghantar senarai nama itu kepada kerajaan negeri bagi permohonan status penduduk tetap.

“Walaupun perkara ini sudah lama berlaku, tetapi masih terdapat beberapa ahli jawatankuasa tertinggi dalam MIC Sabah mempersoalkan kelambatan pemberian status itu.

“Sebelum ini, seramai 82 orang India telah dikenal pasti dan senarai itu telah diserahkan kepada Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri untuk pertimbangan Ketua Menteri Sabah, Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Hj Aman,” katanya dalam sidang media di pejabatnya di sini kelmarin.

Jothi berharap Kerajaan Sabah menyegerakan usaha itu bagi meleraikan pelbagai soalan yang dilontarkan kepadanya oleh masyarakat India di Sabah berhubung kelewatan itu.

“Saya merayu agar dipercepatkan proses pemberian status Penduduk Tetap. Kita tidak bermaksud bahawa kerajaan Sabah tidak mengambil berat mengenai perkara ini, sebenarnya kerajaan memang prihatin, tetapi bukanlah mengambil masa 10 tahun…jadi ia perlu disegarakan,” jelasnya.

Sementara itu, Jothi menyokong kenyataan yang dikeluarkan Pemuda MIC Sabah berkaitan permintaan satu kawasan Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (Adun) atau jawatan Senator.

Katanya, permintaan itu tidak melampau memandangkan MIC sudah bertapak di Sabah selama 15 tahun.
Beliau berkata MIC tidak meminta sesuatu yang berlebihan tetapi semuanya terpulang kepada kerajaan negeri untuk mempertimbangkan.
“Pemberian jawatan seumpamanya akan memberi kelebihan kepada MIC berkhidmat dengan lebih baik kepada rakyat di samping menaikkan imej MIC di sini.

“Masyarakat India disini sudah lama menunggu perkara itu dan ia adalah adil jika dipertimbangkan. Bagaimanapun, kami tetap akan menyokong semua komponen Barisan Nasional walaupun kami tidak diberikan keistimewaan itu,” katanya.

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Sabah MIC appeals for representation

Published on: Friday, May 04, 2012

Sandakan: Sabah MIC on Thursday appealed to the State Government to give it representation via a nominated seat at the State or Federal level.

With the elections around the corner, while other BN components are seeking more representation, Sabah MIC Youth Chief, Taren Sunil Manoharan, said it is time for Sabah MIC to be given greater recognition.

"We are part of the BN and we can play a fuller and effective role if given a nominated seat in the State Assembly or a senatorship at the Federal level," he said. He said although the Indian community in Sabah is small, it still needs a voice.

"We want a platform to air our views and present our ideas.

Besides, having an MIC representative does not mean that we are not only a voice for the Indian community as MIC Sabah has always fought for the interest of all races," he said.

He said the nominated seats were only created with the intention to give minority groups residing here a chance to have a say in the State Assembly.

He also pointed out that Indians had previously been appointed as nominated assemblymen.

"I urge the State Government to revive the spirit. The State Government could also nominate and support the appointment of a Senator as well from the Sabah MIC.

"Such a move would further strengthen the fact that the BN Government is a government for all, including minorities," he stressed.

He said the Indian community in Sabah has a long history and it cannot be denied that they have made substantial contributions to the progress and development of the State.

"Although there is no Indian majority seat in Sabah or Malaysia for that matter, we are nevertheless, a sizeable minority who could make a significant difference to the governing coalition," he said.

He also pledged that if the State Government granted the request, Sabah MIC would act in full accordance with the BN policy of taking care of all races.

"It is a humble request from us and we are definitely not trying to pressure the State Government.

We are seeking due consideration and we understand and accept the fact that any appointment is entirely under the prerogative of our Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman," he added.