April 13 – Former Senator and a DAP leader S.Ramakrishnan (pic) has lamented Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyideen Yassin for calling on the Tamil school teachers to vote in favour of Barisan Nasional.
Ramakrishnan said voting is a democratic choice of a citizen and that the former DPM has no business to order anybody to vote for a particular party.
In a press statement Ramakrishnan further said:
“On the 8th of April, Tan Sri Muhiddin Yassin met Tamil school teachers and headmasters from all over Malaysia in SRJK (T) Simpang Lima, Klang. Teachers from all over Malaysia had left their teaching responsibilities and their students to do their own work and had to travel to Klang just to be ordered to support BN in the forthcoming general elections. He further reminded them not to make any anti-government statements in facebook and other social media and not say anything negative about the government. He had also ordered them to vote for BN in the forthcoming general elections.”
“Voting is a democratic choice of a citizen. The former DPM has no business to order anybody to vote for a particular party. Besides it is secret and nobody will know whom anyone votes for. Tan Sri MuhideenYassin is no more minister of education to issue such undemocratic orders that restricts the citizen’s right to vote for his/her choice of candidates in the coming elections. As a caretaker minister his business is to conduct only ordinary matters of administration and not to abuse the government machinery by subtly ordering teachers and other government servants. Isn’t it a waste of government money and abuse of power to have called for such a meeting for political purpose? “ Ramakrishan questioned.
“After losing 2/3 majority in parliament and 4 states to Pakatan Rakyat, BN is superficially courting Indian votes by making promises on more handouts to Tamil Schools. Tan Sri Muhiddin Yassin is duty bound to explain how education quality has improved in Tamil schools during his tenure in the ministry. What structural reform has he made to include Tamil school’s development into the mainstream of education framework? UMNO will never accept vernacular education into the mainstream of education system. But MIC will bend backward to accommodate and tolerate UMNO’s step motherly attitude.”
Ramakrishnan also pointed out that “Indian contractors who submitted quotations for tenders on renovation work in Tamil Schools are disgusted at the education ministry’s flip flop policies and procedures. Can Tan Sri Muhiddin Yassin inform the Malaysian Indians how much of the RM100 million announced by Prime Minister in 2012 and 2013 budget delivered to schools and given to Indian contractors? There is no information and transparency in this allocation announced by the prime minister. UMNO/BN has deprived Tamil Schools and Indians their equal opportunity for facilities and scholarships.”
“Can Tan Sri Muhiddin Yassin reveal why nearly 65% of Tamil school students go to remove classes? What has the ministry of education done to reduce this figure?” Rama asked.
“Most remove class students drop off before completing secondary schools. Did Tan Sri Muhiddin Yassin call for urgent meetings to resolve this issue? By removing ‘remove class’ without addressing the weakness in syllabus content will only transfer the problem to Form One. Ministry of education officers have no clue or rather will and wish to handle this issue”
“For the information of Tan Sri Muhiddin Yassin, Indians are no more BN’s fixed deposits. Indians want equal rights as citizens of this county. Is it agreeable to you Tan Sri? Will you redress these denied justice and rights of Malaysian Indians? Election gimmicks are observable and people are more aware of the parochial and racist traits of UMNO/BN. At least one term as opposition party, will transform UMNO/BN into a more inclusive and a party for all” Ramakrishnan further said.
