The press has been chasing me to come out with my comments on the recent media stories relating to MIED.

Frankly speaking I have been busy with a myriad of things – Bagan Pinang by-election, functions in the Hulu Selangor constituency, preparations for Deepavali events for the poor, etc.

Besides I have never been one to burst out with comments on issues without giving it thought and certainly not before reading and researching issues in greater depth. I have never been in a rush to instantly react to some happening. I believe in giving people a chance to view their opinion or explaining why things were spoken of in the manner it has appeared. I don’t make attempts to be seen as a champion for things when there is no necessity to do so.

Last evening when I was in Bagan Pinang, I managed to get a few minutes with Datuk Seri Samy Vellu and ask about the MIED matter and he gave me his explanation. He said he meant to say that the MIED was a ‘separate entity’.

Yes, we all know that it is a separate entity governed by trustees. The MIED is a child of MIC. It was born in the MIC with its president, Datuk Seri Samy Vellu, as its founder. All the trustees and most of the board members are all MIC leaders at various levels, both past and present.  Therefore, it is a well placed organisation, structured to serve the community for the long haul.

In a recent conversation with me at the MIC headquarters, Datuk Seri Samy Vellu said that even when he is no longer President of MIC he will still be coming to the MIED office, which is in the same building to work. I had jokingly replied, “That means the people will not be coming to see me!”

Let us put to rest the question of MIED walking away or being hijacked. MIED is the pride of the Indian community. Let us keep it that way!