K. S. Nijhar
Encyclopedia
Tan Sri Karnail Singh Nijhar or simply known as K.S. Nijhar was one of the three vice-presidents of the Malaysian Indian Congress.
He is the highest ranking Punjabi
and Sikh
in the political party, which is dominated by Tamils
. However, he is not the sole Sikh
in the Malaysian parliament. The member being Karpal Singh
who is from the opposition Democratic Action Party
.
To top it up, he is one of the seven member of parliaments from the MIC, making him a minority within a minority.
Growing up, Nijhar recollects the times he had to stay in a kampung house without any basic amenities and had to depend on wells for water, and Hindu temples for free meals because of poverty.
While a student at St Xavier's Institution
in Penang
, he used to earn money as a ball boy at clubs with tennis courts. But this did not stop him from excelling in school. He topped the school examinations between 1947 and 1954.
“My passion to serve the community exceeds my desire to make money in the business world,” he said, adding that he had saved the Selangor MIC building from being auctioned off, and had also refinanced two of his cars to organise a national economic congress in 1980.
In the Malaysian parliament, he sits on the Public Accounts Committee. He had also served on the National Unity Committee.
Nijhar was dropped as a candidate for the 2008 general elections. The Barisan Nasional
candidate for the constituency, S. Murugeson was defeated by the candidate from the Justice Party, Sivarasa Rasiah
.
He is the highest ranking Punjabi
Punjabi people
The Punjabi people , ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ), also Panjabi people, are an Indo-Aryan group from South Asia. They are the second largest of the many ethnic groups in South Asia. They originate in the Punjab region, which has been been the location of some of the oldest civilizations in the world including, the...
and Sikh
Sikh
A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
in the political party, which is dominated by Tamils
Tamil people
Tamil people , also called Tamils or Tamilians, are an ethnic group native to Tamil Nadu, India and the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka. Historic and post 15th century emigrant communities are also found across the world, notably Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, Canada,...
. However, he is not the sole Sikh
Sikh
A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
in the Malaysian parliament. The member being Karpal Singh
Karpal Singh
Karpal Singh is a Malaysian lawyer and politician, who has been the Member of Parliament for the neighbourhood of Bukit Gelugor in the state of Penang since 2004...
who is from the opposition Democratic Action Party
Democratic Action Party
The Democratic Action Party, or DAP is a secular, multi-racial, social democratic Malaysian political party.The DAP is one of the three major opposition parties in Malaysia, along with the PKR and PAS, that are seen as electable alternatives to the Barisan Nasional coalition of parties...
.
To top it up, he is one of the seven member of parliaments from the MIC, making him a minority within a minority.
Growing up, Nijhar recollects the times he had to stay in a kampung house without any basic amenities and had to depend on wells for water, and Hindu temples for free meals because of poverty.
While a student at St Xavier's Institution
St Xavier's Institution
St Xavier's Institution is a boys' school in George Town, Penang, Malaysia. It was established in 1852 and named after Saint Francis Xavier, the pioneering Christian missionary and co-founder of the Society of Jesus . While being a boys' school, girls are also admitted, albeit only in Form 6...
in Penang
Penang
Penang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. It is bordered by Kedah in the north and east, and Perak in the south. Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the...
, he used to earn money as a ball boy at clubs with tennis courts. But this did not stop him from excelling in school. He topped the school examinations between 1947 and 1954.
“My passion to serve the community exceeds my desire to make money in the business world,” he said, adding that he had saved the Selangor MIC building from being auctioned off, and had also refinanced two of his cars to organise a national economic congress in 1980.
In the Malaysian parliament, he sits on the Public Accounts Committee. He had also served on the National Unity Committee.
Nijhar was dropped as a candidate for the 2008 general elections. The Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional is a major political coalition in Malaysia, formed in 1973 as the successor to the Alliance . Along with its predecessor, it has been Malaysia's federal ruling political force since independence...
candidate for the constituency, S. Murugeson was defeated by the candidate from the Justice Party, Sivarasa Rasiah
Sivarasa Rasiah
Sivarasa Rasiah ,or also known as R.Sivarasa is a prominent Malaysian politician, lawyer and human rights activist. He is co-founder of Suara Rakyat Malaysia or Suaram and vice-president of the opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat...
.