SHAH ALAM: Kapar MP G Manivannan has denied there was any political reason for him not to meet with Bayu College representatives and listen to their side of the story over the RM400 monthly allowances allocated to poverty-stricken students.

Last Friday, Bayu College CEO Loganathan Rajagopal had accused Manivannan of ignoring the college when he threatened to take legal action against the Socioeconomic Development of Indian Community (Sedic), which is under the Prime Minister’s Department, after several students claimed they had not received the full RM400 monthly assistance promised to each of them.

Speaking to reporters outside the Selangor education department office here today, Manivannan said initially, he was alright with the idea of meeting the college’s representatives but “certain things” happened subsequently that changed his mind.

“There were certain scenarios that changed the whole idea of meeting them and I will reveal this in detail in a press conference and with evidence soon,” the PKR lawmaker said.

He also denied Loganathan’s claim that he had sent a message saying: ‘I’m an MP, you don’t even know how to respect me, and now you say I’m not ethical? It’s okay, you can go to whoever can help you and I will do things my way’, after Loganathan had allegedly asked him not to jump to conclusions.

“He has put words in my mouth. My message was professional and according to my position as an MP. I had taken care of all issues before I sent them any message and my messages – which I will screenshot for tomorrow’s PC – will prove my case,” Manivannan said.

Regarding the many missed phone calls that Loganthan had made to the MP, Manivannan said he was preoccupied at that time.

“After my first press conference regarding this case, I rushed to Negeri Sembilan over a similar case and also because PKR representatives there had asked to meet me. I did answer the phone calls when I had time, it was just that I was preoccupied.”

Manivannan also pointed out that his questions regarding the case were clearly aimed at the higher education ministry, human resources ministry and Sedic.

“It has nothing to do with the college although it implicates them. Nevertheless, they wanted to meet me and I was okay with the whole idea, initially.”

Kapar MP won’t hear our side, claims Bayu College

College fails to pay RM400 monthly allowance to poor students