The MIC need to realise that the recent uprising has highlighted their weakness in addressing the problems of Indians and this is not confined to MIC alone. Merely informing and debating the matter within the MIC will not resolve this matter.

As MIC president, Samy Vellu needs to hold an open forum for the Indian community and form a task force of capable community leaders to solve the current Indian crisis. If the task is given solely to MIC, it would be a total failure. They have already failed at performing the task. Further, MIC would use this as a political platform to show that they are the so-called “champions of the Indians.”

Indians are peaceful people by nature. They know that they have been marginalised and request some assistance to bring their community back on track. When the estates were restructured, Indians were forced to move out and were unable to cope with this new culture. The government then should have made sure that these Indians were prepared for the realities of a new life. Most Indians have failed to compete with the world outside the estates.

If the government is sincere in hearing the truth, efforts should be spearheaded by the prime minister himself or by MCA president Ong Ka Ting. I am sure that Indians will feel more comfortable with this arrangement rather than Samy Vellu resorting to his “gangster tactics” to “do what I say, I know best.” Indians are no longer fools.

The recent protest has given a clear message. It is up to Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to decide whether he wants to resolve the Indian dilemma or face the toughest general election in the history of our nation.