Make Ponggal a new start for more successful Indian community — Najib

KUALA LUMPUR: As the Indian community celebrates Ponggal or the Harvest Festival tomorrow, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak expressed hope that they will also make it as a new start to be more prosperous and successful.

As the saying goes “Thai piranthal vazhi pirakkum’ (the birth of the month of Thai will pave the way for new opportunities), the prime minister said the people of Malaysia, as a whole, should look back on the journey, the obstacles and challenges the nation had gone through to be a peaceful, harmonious and modern country yesterday.

“In conjunction with Ponggal festival this year, let us come together as Malaysians to foster unity and understanding among us.

“Believe me, the future is ours to make together. ‘Naalai Namathey!’ I take this opportunity to wish Happy Ponggal Day or ‘Ponggal Vaalthukal’, to all Indians in Malaysia,” he said in the Prime Minister’s Message in conjunction with the 2018 Ponggal up his blog www.najibrazak.com yesterday.

Najib said the inclusive government approach which prioritised on community cooperation had enabled over half a million Indians in the country to benefit directly from various government programmes and projects since 2009.

As such, the prime minister gave assurance that all the programmes and projects would continue to be implemented to ensure a better future for the Indian community in Malaysia. — Bernama