Here is the update to my earlier posting.

The Star says:

Samy Vellu: No truth to claims

NEW DELHI: Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu has denied foreign wire reports that Malaysia had frozen the intake of workers from India.

“There is no truth in the report,” the Works Minister and MIC president said here last night. He said he had spoken to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn on the matter.

More than 50 pressmen waited for clarification on the issue after a wire agency reported the “freeze” on Indian workers.

Later, Indian Minister for Overseas Affairs, Vyalar Ravi said there was a memorandum of understanding between Malaysia and India on the recruitment of foreign workers and it still stood.

It is believed that the issue arose after the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Taoism urged the Government to reconsider a decision to stop issuing permits for new applications for Hindu priests, temple musicians and sculptors.

In Kuala Lumpur, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, when asked about the appeal, said: “They can send a letter to me. I’ll see what they have written.”

So, no Superman then.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has risen to the occasion. As usual he is in the dark and wants a letter to read and understand the problem. Apparently he has no access to the local media news. He will only act after seeing the letter. Better than saying I don’t know.