MAICCI: Blueprint a positive milestone for Indians

KUALA LUMPUR: The national blueprint for Indians is a positive milestone for the community, said the Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI).

Its president Tan Sri Kenneth Eswaran said MAICCI was confident that the blueprint would not be merely another “announcement”.

“It will be monitored. There will be KPIs and milestones, so it is very positive,” he said at a press conference ahead of today’s unveiling ceremony.

The 10year blueprint, with spe cific targets and policies, will be launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The action plan will span basic needs, education, commerce, housing, employment, entrepreneurship, identity and inclusiveness of the community.

A special unit under the Prime Minister’s Department, headed by a directorgeneral, will implement the action plan.

Kenneth said the last comprehensive economic masterplan for the Indian community was prepared in 1974.

He said MAICCI was looking forward to the announcement, especially on the economic aspects such as those for the small and medium enterprises, B40 business community and loans from institutions such as the National Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund (Tekun) and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia.

Asked if the blueprint was a political gimmick to gain Indian votes, Kenneth said it was not the case.

“The Opposition can say what they want but no one from their side has come up with such a blueprint for the Indians.

“They have their own problems and still cannot solve them, so how are they to solve the problems of Indians?

“The Prime Minister has said that he is for all Malaysians and we are confident the blueprint will be good,” he added.

Political analyst and Malaysian Indian Community Centre chief executive officer Anbumani Balan said the blueprint was a crucial and important implementation to tackle and fix serious issues faced by the Indian community.

Anbumani said Najib is the only Prime Minister who has taken the effort to plan and implement tasks to address issues faced by the community.

“Although there are some weaknesses in terms of the delivery system, the blueprint should be the platform to play an important role with effective and efficient policy implementation.

“With inclusiveness, equality and transparency as the main agenda, it will go a long way to help gain the people’s trust,” he said in a statement.

He added that engagement with the community as well as reliable and relevant stakeholders was vital to create strong key points to address issues.

“Enough of recycling individuals. The Government should look into a vibrant and new generation of personalities who are going to be key players for the 2050 National Transformation.

“Start from now. They are our future,” he said.

Anbumani said the blueprint’s implementation body must be “inclusive, neutral and fair” to create a positive impression.