Friday May 9, 2008 - Thestar.com.my

JOHOR BARU: State MIC leaders including assemblymen and councillors will have a meet-the-people session once a week to resolve problems faced by the public.
Johor MIC chief Datuk K.S. Balakrishnan said that people with any problems, whether related to obtaining birth certificates or business licenses, could visit the state MIC headquarters in Jalan Seget on Mondays between 9.30am and 1pm.
“We are aware that there are many problems faced by Indians and decided to have this session to address the problems.
“This is a good opportunity for us to reach out to the grassroots,” he said, adding that people could get all the help under one roof.

Balakrishnan said the presence of councillors from Johor Baru City Hall (MBJB) and Central Johor Baru Municipal Council would make it easy for people who wanted to apply for business licences.
“They can even meet the councillors if they want to complain about clogged drains or uncollected rubbish,” he said, adding that he was happy with the turnout on Monday.
Balakrishnan said that most of the problems addressed during the sessions were related to birth certificates, licences, housing loans and recommendation letters for permits.
“Anyone can walk into the MIC office without appointments, and it is not just open to Indians.
“In fact, during our first session, we had two Malay ladies who wanted help in matters regarding MBJB,” he said, adding that the state leadership decided on this approach to win public support.
Balakrishnan said the move was not on ad hoc basis, and all complaints would be registered and followed up with the appropriate government agencies to resolve the problems.

Asked on other plans to win support for the party, he said that all assemblymen and division leaders were required to attend public functions to ensure they were in touch with the grassroots.