indians

Two years ago, Socio-Economic and Environmental Research Institute (SERI), a Penang based Think-Tank conducted a comprehensive study of the socio-economic conditions of Indian-Malaysians in Penang at the expense of RM 100,000 in tax-payers money. Among other things, the study found:

- 30% of the Penang Indian-Malaysians are squatters
- an Indian-Malaysian household earns RM 500 – RM 1,000
- their share capital is less than 0.2%
- 75% of the Indian-Malaysians in the manufacturing sector are employed as low-level workers
- more than 50% of the private companies do not employ Indian-Malaysians
- In the 28 Tamil schools, 75 % of the students fail in all six subjects
- nearly 40% suicide cases yearly.

For further information: News Analysis by S. Shankar (NST, p. 2 [4/09/2000]).

These findings, however, do not match up with Official figures. As per the Mid-Term Review of the Seventh Malaysia Plan 1996-2000, an average Indian-Malaysian household income in 1997 was RM 2,896. For a household that is located in a town, the average income was RM 3,289; and for rural Indian-Malaysian households, the average income was RM 2,019. Let us not forget that Penang is the third richest state in Malaysia (after WP and Selangor).

So, if the findings that were released by SERI were correct, then that of EPU must be wrong -- or they must have manufactured a bunch of numbers. In any case, the central government forced Penang state government's hand, and the findings were never released officially. (We know about it, however, through unofficial sources.)

The four attachments below are related to the story above. Obviously, Samy is much concerned about the findings, since it casts doubt on his raison-d’etre.

Who is telling the truth: SERI or EPU? Gerakan or MIC? Dr. Toh Kin Woon or Samy Vellu? Samy is never known for his "Arichandran" qualities; I think both EPU and Samy are lying in order to hide their failings, and to keep "Bumiputeraism" in place.

eS.

Hold forum over study, MIC urged

PENANG: The Penang Consumer Protection Association has urged the MIC to organise a public forum to discuss the findings of a socio-economic study on the Indian community.
Its president, K. Koris, said that party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu should be present to hear views from Indian organisations on the accuracy of the report prepared by the Socio-Economic and Environmental Research Institute (Seri).

"We do not know why the minister is questioning the integrity of Seri which is a think tank of the Penang Government.

"The institute spent RM100,000 in taxpayers' money to undertake the study, which I feel has correctly portrayed the problems faced by Indians,'' he said.

On Friday, Samy Vellu questioned the report, saying it did not reflect the actual situation of the Indian community.

Seri board of directors chairman Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon said the study was done professionally by a team which included university lecturers, lawyers and doctors.

Koris said he was surprised that the accuracy of the report was not challenged by state executive councillor Datuk Dr K. Rajapathy, who is also state MIC chairman.

"Dr Rajapathy was the one who released the findings of the study last year and is currently heading a working committee to implement some of its suggestions,'' he said.

Samy questions report on Indians

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu has questioned a report on the socio-economic status of the Indian community in the state.
He said the party did not recognise the findings submitted by the Socio-Economic Research Institute (SERI) last year because it runs down the community.

"It is a disgrace to the Indians. The report does not tell the true picture.

"The MIC will conduct its own study and the report will be submitted to the Federal Government with a copy to the state government,'' he said after opening the state MIC convention here on Friday night.

He said the community had progressed in tandem with the country's economic development, adding that this could be seen from the number of outstanding examination results achieved by Indians.

SERI board chairman Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon said the study, undertaken by a team of professionals which included university lecturers and lawyers, had merely reported the "truth'' in their findings.

"SERI, the think-tank of the state government, is willing to discuss the findings with anybody,'' he said.

Dr Toh: Penang study on Indians told 'truth'

The Penang Socio-Economic Research Institute (Seri) maintained yesterday that its socio-economic study of the Indian community in the state last year was done professionally.
Its chairman of the board of directors Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon said the study undertaken by a team of professionals, including university lecturers and lawyers, only reported the "truth'' in their findings.

"Seri, which is the think-tank of the state government, is willing to discuss with anybody if they feel there are weaknesses in the study.

"The team relied on interviews, sampling and secondary data because of financial constraints as only RM100,000 was alloted for the study,'' he told reporters after chairing a meeting of Parent-Teacher Association committee members of 28 Tamil schools in Komtar.

On Friday MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu questioned the report saying that it does not reflect the actual situation ofthe Indian community.

Calling the report a disgrace to Indians, he said it ran down the Indian community.

Dr Toh, who is state Economic Planning, Education and Human Resource Development Committee chairman, said there was a big gap in the achievement of Tamil pupils compared to those who attended national or Chinese schools.

April 8, 2001

MIC rejects state institute's report on Indians

By S. Arulldas

BUTTERWORTH, Sat: The MIC has rejected a report compiled by the state government's Socio-Economic Research Institute (Seri) on the status of Indians in Penang.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said today the MIC "does not recognise the report as it runs down the Indians in the state".

He said one of the members of the research team is an opposition party candidate who challenged him in Sungai Siput in the last general election.

The report does not reflect the actual situation of Indians in the state today and Samy Vellu has instructed the state MIC to form a committee "to compile a new report to reflect the real situation in the state".

"I will bring more than 100 graduates and research officers who are willing to work with us to compile a new report on our own," Samy Vellu said after attending the state MIC's 55th annual convention at Dewan Sree Mariamman in Butterworth last night.

"We will prepare a report on the conditions of Indians in Penang and will take it to the appropriate level to alleviate the problems.

"In fact, the government has already agreed under the Third Outline Perspective Plan (OPP3) to help us, with urban poverty being an important aspect of the report."

"We will carry on working and take the matter to the federal government and the cabinet and the Prime Minister and would see what steps to take and then monitor the developments."

"Penang has urban poverty, but, that does mean that 100% of the Indians in Penang are begging in the streets," Samy Vellu said.