‘GREATER SUPPORT FOR NAJIB’
Growing confidence follows introduction of Malaysian Indian Blueprint, says MIC president
MIC has noticed a growing confidence among Indians in the government following its recent introduction of the Malaysian Indian Blueprint.
MIC president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said their confidence also turned into greater support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s leadership.
“Under the blueprint, there are programmes for the next 10 years, and this has renewed the confidence of the Indian community.
“We can see this confidence becoming support,” he said at MIC’s Deepavali open house in Batu Caves here yesterday.
Other than Najib, also present were former MIC president Tun S. Samy Vellu, Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, Gerakan president Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong and MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
Dr Subramaniam, who is also health minister, said MIC would continue explaining to the Indian community about the blueprint so that they would support the government’s programmes.
“There will be quarters that will belittle announcements made by the government. By giving explanations, I believe that the Indian community will continue to have confidence in us.”
On the upcoming national budget, Dr Subramaniam said MIC had submitted several proposals to be considered by the government.
“We hope that the prime minister will take a look at the suggestions, so that we can achieve everything set in the blueprint.”
Later, Najib joined Deepavali festivities at the People’s Progressive Party (MyPPP) open house in Little India, Brickfields, here.
He was all smiles when greeted by hosts and guests upon his arrival, before proceeding to the main stage accompanied by Tengku Adnan, who is also federal territories minister, Tengku Adnan’s wife, Datin Seri Enny Beatrice Ferlat Kusumo Anggraini, Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk Dr Loga Bala Mohan and MyPPP president Tan Sri M. Kayveas.
Najib received the Commonwealth Games’ Queen’s Baton Relay for its stop in Malaysia from Oct 16 to 21.
It is the longest relay in the games’ history — a 230,000km route that began at Buckingham Palace in England on Commonwealth Day (March 13) — covering 70 Commonwealth nations in 388 days. It will end in the Gold Coast, Australia, for the games’ opening ceremony next year.
Dressed in a cream-coloured kurta, Najib and other guests of honour were treated to banana leaf rice meals.
He seemed to enjoy the festivities and had requested for the song Anak Kampung, which was played live using traditional Indian musical instruments.
Some 5,000 people who attended the event were treated to various Indian delicacies, such as thosai, vadey and jalebi.
Kayveas said Malaysians were lucky to be able to celebrate religious festivals in peace and harmony.
“Malaysia practises the concept of equality, and no one is left out from the nation’s progress, including the Indian community, which is a facet of the country’s identity.
“However, it is sad when certain quarters create issues by claiming that the Indian community has been deliberately sidelined by the government and not given assistance. These acts to inject an element of disunity among races are a threat. The government is trying to counter this, but we need everyone’s cooperation.
“Do not be influenced by this.”