Zahid: Indian community must work with govt to eradicate poverty

BAGAN DATOH: The government is committed to eradicating poverty in the Indian community and reducing the dropout rate of Indian students, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday.

“We want to solve the dropout issue and eradicate poverty in rural areas, as well as in the estates. To achieve this, the Indian community must cooperate with the government,” he said, adding that this could improve their lives and social status.

“I do not want to see the Indian community fall apart.

“I had a meeting with Indian leaders and non-governmental organisations, including those with opposition leanings, to come up with a long-term plan to solve the problems.”

He said this after launching the Ethirkalam Programme (Victory for the Future) at Dewan Sanmarka Orang India here. The programme, which was mooted by the Sri Murugam Centre, assists students in rural areas.

During the event, 21 pupils received rewards for excelling in the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah.

Present were Sri Murugan Centre director Tan Sri Dr M. Thambirajah, Sri Murugan Centre co-director K. Suraindran and Rungkup assemblyman Datuk Shahrul Zaman Yahya.

Zahid, who is also Bagan Datoh member of parliament, said to improve the Indian community’s social mobility, gangsterism should be stopped.

“Once this is achieved, there will be fewer gangs in the country.

“If you want to join one (a gang), please think again. Think about your country, your community and your family.”

Zahid said he would work with Indian leaders to tackle poverty in the community, which was one of the main factors leading to involvement in gangsterism.

“We want Indians to have jobs. I know this will be tough to address, but the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, will do our best to help the community,” said Zahid, who is also home minister.