clipped from www.malaysiakini.com Wake up Indian women! It’s your field day! Jasmine Adaickalam | Mar 5, 08 2:18pm Every Malaysian, whether he/she is registered to be a voter or otherwise is debating heatedly over what they think to be the issue with regards to the 12th General Election of Malaysia. The recent incidences are playing a greater and undeniable role in making up their minds. But the date, 8 March 2008 of the said election touches a cord in my memory. Since then came the never hindered stream of MIC women senators Datin Valli Muthusamy (1986 – 1990), Puan Sri Sarasa Pasmanickam (1992 – 1998), Datin Paduka Jaya Partiban (1999 – 2005) and now the current Senator Logachitra Gopalakrishnan (2007).

Thank you Jasmine Adaickalam for a well researched article. It is appreciated that you have given us a good and short history our Indian Woman leaders who were in political life.

I too have postulated on Indian woman in this country and admit their potentials as voters in this country has never been publicised well enough. The other note worthy point is, they don’t get cold feet, facing problems when these problems relate to the family and children. My thoughts were purely from the angle of Indian women influencing how the votes go.

Some of these thoughts appear hereunder. Another one is about Puan Athi Nagappan.

http://aarvidi.wordpress.com/2008/02/13/rise-up-ladies/

http://aarvidi.wordpress.com/2008/02/10/illustrious-indians/
(about Puan Athi Nagappan)

http://aarvidi.wordpress.com/2008/02/08/woman-power/

http://aarvidi.wordpress.com/2007/12/15/woman/

I appreciate you do have a soft spot for Samy Vellu, for his confidence in choosing Indian candidates. I can’t deny you that privilege. My point here is nothing personal about the nice ladies you have mentioned, viz MIC women senators Datin Valli Muthusamy (1986 – 1990), Puan Sri Sarasa Pasmanickam (1992 – 1998), Datin Paduka Jaya Partiban (1999 – 2005) and now the current Senator Logachitra Gopalakrishnan (2007).

Then, there were the politicians. The malady of our Indian leaders, please that includes our men as well, is that of a master’s voice, the leader speaks, the gospel truth is sermonized, all shake their heads in agreement, their individual capacity is strangled and thereafter it is I have not heard the masters voice yet.

Perhaps you will think I am generalising, being a second echelon leader in MIC is tantamount to stifling your individual expression of thought, and if you care to follow your own, you will be another Devamany from Cameron Highlands.
The power of Samy Vellu pervades the actions of his leaders. He leads them on a leash.

My only hope the present day Indian woman leaders do lead and provide good leadership to all Indians, because I believe they are a force to be reckoned with, and all past records of inefficiency is erased and not talked about. If you can’t do that please don’t be influenced and be a namesake leader. Instead be a good wife and mother.

I hope Jasmine you don’t take this as a bashing of a kind, my advice to all MIC leaders show your worth, protest when Indians are maligned, and you will be treated as a leader always with all your warts and all.

Would appreciate your comments if you have.