Jangan persalahkan golongan muda India persoal sumbangan MIC, kata Saravanan

KUALA LUMPUR: Menteri Besar Malaysia Saravanan has cautioned young Indian Indians against blaming their party MIC for any shortcomings, asserting that the party's leaders played a crucial role in Malaysia's development. MIC deputy president Saravanan highlighted that the current generation may be the last to have direct knowledge of the contributions made by past MIC leaders.

He stressed that if this history is not documented properly within the next decade, it could be lost to future generations. Saravanan launched the English and Tamil biographies of late MIC president V Manickavasagam, who led the party from 1973 until his death in 1979. Manickavasagam served as a minister in three Prime Ministers' cabinets, including those of Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, Abdul Razak Hussein, and Hussein Onn.

The biographies were released to mark the 100th birthday anniversary of the MIC president. Saravanan emphasized that past MIC leaders like Manickavasagam played a vital role in developing Malaysia, particularly in transport, telecommunications, and infrastructure. He pointed out Manickavasagam's contributions in establishing social security protection, which led to the creation of the Social Security Organization (Perkeso), as well as VT Sambanthan's role in building Parliament and the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang.

Saravanan also stressed Manickavasagam's role in establishing the Malaysian Airline System (MAS) following the separation of Malaysia Airlines from Singapore Airlines. He highlighted Manickavasagam's foresight in recognizing the importance of technical and vocational education for the Indian community several decades before it became a widespread issue.

Saravanan concluded by noting how the MIC headquarters building was constructed without taking loans, making it another significant achievement of Manickavasagam's leadership that should be preserved in the party's history.