MIC Youth chief: Indians won’t progress in civil service with Dr M

KUALA LUMPUR: The government’s efforts to provide greater career opportunities to Indians in the civil service, especially in senior positions, will end if the community votes for the wrong leader, says MIC Youth chief Datuk Sivaraajh Chandran.

The Malaysian Indian Blueprint launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak aims to achieve a minimum target of seven per cent Indian participation in the civil service in all ranks by 2026.

Sivaraajh said the Indian community had never been given this kind of recognition and appreciation when Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was prime minister.

“Many Indians served the government for several decades with excellence, but were not given the opportunity to move forward under Dr Mahathir,” he said yesterday.

“The Indian community needs to be vigilant about false promises made by Dr Mahathir in his effort to return as prime minister.”

He said he hoped the reform of the civil service would continue under Najib’s leadership.

He said it would cement the Indian community’s confidence and faith in the government.

“We want more Indians to join the civil service.”

He said he was confident that, under Najib, Indians would not face obstacles and would be appointed to higher positions in government agencies.

“The blueprint is proof that the Indian community has a bright future.”

He referred to the appointment of Narinder Singh as the commissioner of prisons last week, making him the highestranking Indian officer in the Prisons Department.

Sivaraajh said it showed that the government recognised the contributions by Indians to the civil service.

“Narinder’s appointment is of historical significance and a matter of pride for the Indian community.”