There are many positive developments and progress in the Indian community. Since Independence we can see that the Indian community has indeed progressed. But if there arelegitimate needs we have to address and do something about them. There are aspirations and legitimate grievances of other communities in the country as well.
Something More for Indians
So, if we make false promises, if we only say in term of political rhetorics or I am saying this because I am talking to 3,000 MIC delegates, I am sure at the 13th general election BN’s credibility will be seriously affected. I am saying this because there is sincere commitment on the part of the present BN leadership to improve the conditions of Malaysian Indians.
How do we go about it? What can we do? What are the policies? What are the programmes? What are the mechanisms? These are the matters that we can discuss in the cabinet.
Dato Seri Samy Vellu & Cabinet role
I can tell you that even though, Dato Seri Samy Vellu is the only Indian representative in Cabinet, he is equivalent to several ministers. I cannot divulge the proceedings of our cabinet but I can tell you that in terms of the time he takes in cabinet, it is disproportionately more compared to others.
So, if people accuse Dato Seri Samy vellu of not fighting for the Indian community, I will be the first to deny, because he has fought for Indians. He has fought hard for the Indian community. He has spoken with full passion for the Indian community. He is very colourful in his presentation. And he does that because he is the leader of MIC and of the Indian community.
I have noted some of the major issues highlighted by Dato Seri Samy Vellu in his opening address.
Indian Future
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Will your future be better if you work within the system or work against the system? If you work outside the system, it means you work against the system, you are against the government.The Indian community’s future lies within BN. So work within the system. We cannot have a great Malaysia or a developed Malaysia by 2020 if the Indian community is marginalised. We cannot be a developed nation if any community is marginalised for that matter. So, it is important for us to send the signal to the Indian community that their future lies with BN. We value the role of MIC. MIC and the Indian community at large have always supported BN. UMNO owes it to you. Make sure MIC continues to be relevant and have the support of the Indian community.
Let me assure you if there are legitimate and relevant issues of the Indian community, genuine issues, both the PM and I are ever willing to consider those requests of the Indian community.
BC & Indian Kids
Recently in cabinet we discovered that there are Indian kids born in the estates who do not have birth certificates. And we decided that if there are cases of children born in the estates without a birth certificate and if they can get the certification from the penghulu or ketua kampung then they are entitled to enrol in our schools.
There cannot be any kid, any child in this country denied of access to education, even if they do not have BC but they are born in Malaysia. Then they must have access to education. We have instructed the Ministry of Education to ensure this happens.
Education - Tamil Schools
I have other ideas that I have to discuss with Dato Seri Samy Vellu and the Minister of Education on how we can help meet the educational needs of the Indian community Tamil schools have to beconsolidated and need to be strengthened. We should review access to premier schools, in order to increase the Indian intake.
These are the things that we can do within the system. These are the things that cannot be obtained if people continue to demonstrate, and shout outside. Demonstration on the street is not the way we solve our problems in Malaysia.
Civil Service Employment Opportunities
On the issue of greater employment opportunities for Malaysian Indians in civil service, I have asked our Chief Secretary on behalf of the Cabinet to increase the number of Indians and non bumiputras in the civil service. I am not saying that the standard should be reduced or sacrificed but those who are good must be given opportunities in civil service. This approach will increase the employment opportunities for Malaysian Indians.
Scholarships
On the matter of more scholarships particularly for the local universities, there should be greater access. Some good ones could secure opportunities to go to foreign universities. When these scholars return, they should work for the civil services.
Micro Credit
Micro – credit is another area. We should increase the amount of micro-credit because people have to work to earn a living.
Metal Traders
Recently I spoke to the MB of Selangor stating that there are many Indian metal traders in Selangor. While some may be involved in criminal activities but many others are undertaking legitimate metal trading in Selangor. It is the policy of the BN government that if someone is undertaking a legitimate business, then their licenses should not be revoked from them.
I am trying to encourage Malaysian Indians, to take up jobs. Don’t just depend on imported labour.
Training Indian youth as Barbers
I had friendly discussions with Dato Seri S. Samy Vellu. He wanted more Indian barbers from India. I keep telling him to train our local Indians and let them become barbers. Can they become barbers? Yes, they can become barbers. We can even establish a special college to train them as barbers. Traditionally Indian barbers are very good in hair cutting.
Training Local Priests
What about Hindu priests? Try to produce Malaysian Hindu priests. If necessary have a college to train local priests. We should not depend on religious teachers from other countries. We must produce our own.
Temples
You have so many temples. Let us work together. Let us not have a repeat of the Shah Alam temple incident. If there is a need to relocate the temple, work with local MIC leadership, move the temple, make sure the deities are not desecrated.In Shah Alam, the deities were not desecrated. I have checked and asked the PM, the IGP, and some Indian friends. The deities were not desecrated. Except of course Hindraf gave different information.
The only thing I must admit that was at fault was to move the temple one week before Deepavali. That was wrong on their part. The local authority had waited for 3 years. Why can’t they wait for one or two months more. Let us admit that we were at fault. If we have made a mistake, let us not cover up our mistake. Let us admit that we have made a mistake and apologise to the Indian Community.
We are sorry for that and in future let us not repeat that kind of a mistake. Let us fully respect other religions in this country.
Thaipusam Holiday
The PM before he declared Thaipusam a public holiday for the Federal Territories, he called me up and asked what did I think of that idea? I said, yes let us give a public holiday for Thaipusam. Dato Seri Samy Vellu has been fighting for many, many years. I know recently he brought up this matter when I was chairing the cabinet. I was happy, I had a public holiday too.
Malaysia our home
So, that is Malaysia. It is a great country. This is our home. This is your home. Believe me, we are together here as a family.
We can work together. UMNO, MCA, MIC, Gerakan and all the other parties together will work to build this beautiful and wonderful country we call home, Malaysia.
You must be proud to be a Malaysian. I am proud to be a Malaysian and I am proud to stand before all of you today. Let us continue to believe in the BN, this is our future for all Malaysian Indians and all of us.
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