Advancing Indian community a work in progress — PM

KUALA SELANGOR: A key agenda of the Barisan Nasional government to improve the standard of living of and to advance the Indian community in the country is a work in progress, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said yesterday.

The Prime Minister said this could not be attained in a day or two because it involved not only physical development but also changes to the structure of the life of the community.

“Changing the attitude and values as well as strengthening the foundation of the Indian community is a work in progress. I agree with MIC president Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam who said in his speech that the Indians will advance more if they can strengthen unity among themselves.

“This is a challenge that we face but I can assure you that with BN leading the government, there is hope for us. What we need is your support and trust so that the BN government can give you the best.

“We are not engaging in empty talk or ‘ vetti pecchu’ in Tamil, but we are talking the truth or ‘nijjam’,” he said when addressing worshippers and others at the Thaipusam celebration at the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple here.

Besides Dr Subramaniam, Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar and Kuala Selangor MP Datuk Seri Dr Irmohizam Ibrahim were present at the event.

Najib said the agenda of the BN government in improving the standard of living of the Indian community was translated through the Malaysian Indian Blueprint that was launched in April last year.

“I pledge that the BN government will safeguard the right to freedom of religion and respect for other faiths,” Najib said to applause from the estimated 5,000 people who were present at the temple. — Bernama

Najib (second left) being briefed by Sri Subramaniar Swamy temple chairman Mohanasundaram (third left) on the proposed community complex during his visit to the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple. Also seen are Subramaniam (second right) and Immohizam...