SUNGAI SIPUT: The Indian community must continue supporting the government as it continuously carries out programmes and initiatives to improve their lives, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“The concern showed by the government towards the Indian community and Malaysians in general is not merely rhetoric but is reflected through various programmes for the people.
“The government is also committed to ensuring seven per cent of the top leaders in its administration and agencies are represented by the Indian community.
“(So much so) that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was called the father of Indian community development,” he said in his speech at the national-level Deepavali celebration here today.
He said the government had allocated a huge sum for the community as reflected in various initiatives including the Malaysian Indian Blueprint (MIB).
“This shows the commitment by the Barisan Nasional government to improve the socio-economy of the Indian community.
“To improve the economy of Indian community, a total of two billion units of shares were offered by Permodalan Nasional Bhd, which was among the agenda outlined in the MIB," he said.
Other allocations were also channeled through this year's budget including RM260 million in various fields like entrepreneurship and education, a RM50 million fund to improve the income capacity of the Indians, financial assistance for entrepreneurs through Tabung Ekonomi Kumpulan Usaha Niaga or Tekun Nasional (National Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund or Tekun) and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia, RM50 million for Tamil schools and RM10 million for Tamil pre-school programmes.
He said the federal government was committed in ensuring that unity was being used the main guide to maintain peace, harmony and unity.
“This philosophy is also mentioned in the teaching of Hindu that promotes Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam which means the world is one family."
Present were Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, who is also MIC president, Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, and Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.