IT is disturbing to read Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu’s tirade in “Samy Vellu: Mind your own business” (NST, Jan 28).

He stated that “there were some BN component party leaders who had been meeting the Indian community and trying to get it to voice its problems”.

He went to say that “they are trying to stir the pot. Let the MIC worry about the Indian community. The other parties should concentrate on helping their own communities”.

What a myopic stand! This won’t get us anywhere. The Sungei Siput MP is forgetting that he was voted in by all the races. Is he trying to tell us that he had been helping only the Indians there and ignoring the other races all this while?

The prime minister has emphasised time and again that racial unity is the cornerstone of all progress and that we should strive to serve everybody on equal terms, irrespective of race, colour or creed.

If Indians only are to attend to Indian problems, then how on earth are we to achieve national unity? What harm is there if other races volunteer to help Indians in their plight?

In Negri Sembilan, for instance, the Malaysian Chinese Association has helped many an impoverished Indian with social and medical assistance beyond the reach of the MIC. Surely such synergic interaction is most welcome.

I am sorry to say this, but Samy Vellu’s attitude is at odds with a policy that fosters inclusion, solidarity and social cohesion.

DR A. SOORIAN, Seremban

Source: NST – January 31, 2008