____________________
Press Statement 
by Karpal Singh  
_________________

(Kuala Lumpur, Tuesday) : PPP president, Datuk M. Kayveas, is steadily becoming an embarrassment, not only to his voters in the Taiping Parliamentary seat but the country as a whole. The latest war of words between Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu and Kayveas brings this to surface. After securing a study loan of £2000 in 1985 Kayveas wrote to Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu saying:

‘Mere words cannot express how I feel about the prompt response you personally undertook. I am glad there is an MIC and I am even gladder that you are the president. I wish you all the best and may you remain in office for a lifetime.’

If Kayveas is glad there is an MIC, then how come he is in the PPP?

Politicians should think before they speak, and not the reverse. Kayveas has publicly shown his unprofessional conduct when, after having obtained the loan from the MIC in not repaying Maju Institute of Educational Development (MIED) the outstanding RM6, 084.00 despite a demand for repayment being sent by MIED to Kayveas as far back as 19^th October, 1988. I wonder if the MIC has included interest since 1985 when the loan was secured by Kayveas. If interest has not been paid, Kayveas should do the needful without demand from the MIED.

There is no doubt that Indians namely Tamils, Malayalees, Punjabis, Gujaratis, Bengalis and other Hindi-speaking Indians in the country are sidelined. The plight of the Indians should be effectively addressed by Government. There is no doubt Tamil schools should be upgraded. Indians should have their fair share of seats in universities and colleges in the country. Likewise, in the public service, Indians should not be slide lined or discriminated against. The Government should strive for meritocracy which should be the acid test for public service and enrolment in universities and colleges.

In the meanwhile, I call upon Kayveas to step down as Member of Parliament for Taiping as the present episode between him and Samy Vellu has caused his credibility to sink to the lowest ebb.

(2/10/2007)