Call on Mahathir and Abdullah to allay Maligga’s worries and  direct immediate action by the  government to bear full higher education costs for Segadevan’s children as national recognition of the sacrifice of the slain police detective


Media Statement
by Lim Kit Siang
 

(Ipoh,  Monday): The two greatest concerns  of S. Maligga, widow of slain police detective in the Al-Ma’unah arms heists killings, Sgt. R. Segadevan, are getting justice for her husband and  the educational future of her four children, Mageswari, 24, Thanabalan, 22, Poobaladevan, 17 and Kumaradevan, 13.

With the Segadevan’s meagre salary, Maligga is very worried as to how her four children can pursue education to the highest level possible.

These were the concerns expressed by Maligga when together with DAP National Vice Chairman, Lim Guan Eng, Perak DAP State Chairman, Ngeh Koo Ham, Perak DAP State Secretary, M. Kulasegeran, Perak DAP State Assemblyman for Menglembu, Keong Ming Fing, I visited Maligga and her children in their home in Kuala Kangsar yesterday.

I call on the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, both of whom had visited Maligga,  to allay her  worries and  direct immediate action by the  government to bear full higher education costs for Segadevan’s children as national recognition of the sacrifice of the slain police detective.

This the least the government could do in appreciation of Segadevan’s sacrifice by ensuring that the slain detective’s offsprings are given the best educational opportunities that they are capable of, and the government should set up a committee or appoint a special officer to be responsible for the welfare of Segadevan’s family, in particular to look after the higher education needs of his four children. For a start, arrangements should be made for the two eldest children, Mageswari and  Thanabalan to enrol in institutions of higher learning.

I propose to visit Maligga and her children in Kuala Kangsar in a fortnight’s time, and I hope that by that time, concrete  arrangements would have been made by the government for the educational needs of Segadevan’s children.

(24/7/2000)


*Lim Kit Siang - DAP National Chairman