LETTER | Don't misrepresent history, Saravanan

LETTER | Human Resources Minister M Saravanan must state what were the contributions of the late SOK Ubaidullah to the Indian community in Malaysia that his legacy warrants being passed down to his grandson.

I am making this statement after reading Saravanan’s justification for the appointment of Shahul Hameed Dawood as the new CEO of Human Resource Development Fund, saying it was due to his grandfather Ubaidullah’s contribution to the Indian community in Malaysia. 

He has gone on to claim that Ubaidullah was a founder member of MIC.

My information is that Saravanan’s statement is flawed on both counts.

MIC was founded in 1946 in Maha Mariamman Temple and Ubaidullah was not a member of MIC for years after its formation. 

At that time there were only 4 MIC branches namely -  Jalan Pudu, Bangsar, Sentul and another according to the records.

The late Ubaidullah who was based in Negeri Sembilan was at that time looking after his brother-in-law's business.

When the Federation of Malaya was formed in 1948, he was one of five commissioners appointed on behalf of the Indians in Malaya. However his appointment was not from MIC but a member of the business community, representing the Indian Chambers. 

Renowned Lawyer Ramani was another one of the other 5 commissioners.

So Saravanan who is the deputy president of MIC must state what is the source of his statement that SOK Ubaidullah was a founder member of MIC.

If founding fathers of MIC have a sacred role in the history of the Malaysian Indians, then the history must not be misstated or misquoted.

It is true that after Ubaidullah became a member of the MIC he served in many positions such as vice president of MIC and the permanent chairman of MIC.

He was also a nominated senator and Dewan Negara deputy president.

Tan Sri SOK Ubaidullah made his fortune from sales of ship tickets to India. The travellers were mostly labourers or estate workers who travelled to India to meet their family members or returned for good. 

He was the sole or primary ticketing agent for the travellers.

But the criticism against him had been that despite the high positions held through MIC, he never reflected on the needs of the Indians in any manner or any forum and he had never voiced for the poor nor did his generosity extend to the estate workers or their children form whom he made his fortunes.

Therefore as part of a subsequent generation, I would like to know from Saravanan what were Ubaidullah’s contributions to the Malaysian Indians and why they deserve to be rewarded with a position to his grandson.

Indeed why is it the justification for such an appointment?

Millions of people are expected to lose their jobs in the coming months and the HRDF is one establishment that has a great role to play in times of this expected employment crisis. 

If the appointment was in light of Shahul Hameed’s qualification or his experience or his proven human resource management track record his appointment must be applauded.

However the minister seems to have justified by reference to his grand farther being the founder member of MIC and his contribution to the community. 

And Saravanan’s ‘grandfather’s story is flawed in both the accounts.

I sincerely appreciate the contributions of Malaysian Indian Muslims to the Tamil language like ‘ayya’ Seeni Naina Mohd. 

His salutation poem for Tamil Language or ‘Tamil vaalzhthu’ is played in almost all Tamil functions. There are many Indian Muslims who have contributed to the Tamil language and Indian community in Malaysia. 

Credit must be given where it is due and history must not be twisted to suit a situation.

SARASWATHY KANDASAMI is legal advisor to the Tamil Malar daily.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.