Progressing together under the MIB

I REFER to the report “DPM: Govt to ensure Indian community on par with others” ( The Star, Jan 31). I laud Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for his pledge to personally resolve the woes of Malaysian Indians as quickly as possible which he also made in his Thaipusam message last year at Batu Caves.

Under the Malaysian Indian Blueprint (MIB) launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, the Government set up the Amanah Saham 1Malaysia (AS1M) with 1.5 billion additional units allocated to the Indian community. This positive move is expected to benefit at least 50,000 people in the community.

All this while, the Indian com munity has been far from impressed with the leadership of the Malaysian Indian Congress and its promises and action plans on uplifting the people in education, entrepreneurship, home ownership, university entrance and employment opportunities in the civil service and governmentlinked companies.

The Indians have a long connection with the country, contributing immensely as nation builders in the construction of roads, railways, ports and bridges and development of rubber, sugar cane, tapioca and coconut plantations.

According to a report in the news magazine The Economist in 2003, Indians comprised 60% of the urban squatters and 41% of beg gars in the country.

The Government needs to review the policies and living conditions of the displaced community where many Indian youths have turned to illegal activities and gangsterism to make a living, thus painting a negative image of the entire community.

Under the MIB, a secretariat was formed to launch initiatives that would put the community on par with other communities based on the concept of munneruvam (progressing together). The credibility of the Indian leaders are at stake if the promises are not kept.

C. SATHASIVAM SITHERAVELLU Seremban