KUALA SELANGOR: The federal government’s agenda to uplift the standard of living of the country's Indian community is a work in progress and a continuous effort.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the agenda and efforts are not just empty talk and cannot be achieved in one or two days.
“I want to highlight the allocation of RM50 million channeled to Socioeconomic Development of Indian Community Programme that will be handled by the Socioeconomic Development of Indian Community Unit (SEDIC), as well as RM50 million meant for Tekun loans and RM50 million for maintenance and refurbishment works for Tamil schools.
“There is also the 1.5 billion additional units of Amanah Saham 1Malaysia (AS1M) for the Indian community.
“At the end of February this year, I will launch a special investment scheme for the Indian community in the B40 category. It is set to boost the savings of 100,000 households, especially those below the poverty line.
“This agenda is a work in progress and not merely empty talk or in Tamil language “vetti pecchu”. Instead it is “nijjam” which is reality.
“We will deliver whatever we promised to all Malaysians. Barisan Nasional is a government that delivers and that is my guarantee,” said Najib today.
He was addressing a crowd of 5,000 devotees at the Sri Subramaniar Swamy temple to mark the Thaipusam celebration.
Clad in a traditional cream-coloured kurta, Najib was welcomed by MIC president Datuk Seri S. Subramaniam, Selangor Barisan Nasional chairman and Tanjung Karang MP Tan Sri Noh Omar and Kuala Selangor MP Datuk Seri Irmohizam Ibrahim.
Najib’s presence was also historical as it was his maiden visit to the temple which was built in 1905.
Najib said he came to celebrate Thaipusam in Kuala Selangor from Batu Caves because he wanted to meet with the local community and see the development in the surrounding area which he stressed must be fair and inclusive.
In his speech, Najib also said the government’s on-going agenda and efforts are not just about physical development.
“It is the question of changing the structure in the Indian community. It is about changing attitude, values and strengthening of the core of the Indian community.
These are the challenges we face but we want to show you that with the Barisan Nasional government that I am leading, there is hope for all of us,” he said.
Najib added that he understood the needs of the Indian community such as access to quality education, economic opportunities as well as concerns related to citizenship.
“I also know that all of you want other communities to understand your aspiration and ambitions that among others, are the development of temples and its existence which is one of the main pillars of the Hindu and Indian community.
“As the government under my leadership, I give the assurance that the freedom of religion and respect of those who are of different faiths will be protected and preserved by the BN government,” he said.
Najib also pledged that the government would financially assist with the temple’s development.
He said he was told by the temple chairman, K. Mohana Sundram, that the cost was RM3 million.
“He (Mohana) said he can raise RM1.5 million. Show me you can raise it (RM1.5 million), then I will give you the RM1.5 million,” said Najib.