Malaysian Indian Congress recommends proposals for Malay Indian community

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) president S. Samy Vellu has said the party will submit 12 recommendations for the Malay Indian community’s development, for inclusion in the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP).

Vellu said the recommendations will be tabled in Parliament in June. These recommendations have been drafted after dialogue with 75 Indian-based non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and Universiti Malaya’s Ethnic Studies department.

“We have prepared a comprehensive report that took us more than three months,” The Star quoted Vellu, as saying.

He said the recommendations included special initiatives for Indians in education, economy, training, housing, employment and aid for women.

“There is also a recommendation for an allocation from the Government to enable Indians to purchase unit trusts and shares,” Vellu said.

Vellu further highlighted that it was the first time the party had sought the views and proposals from various NGOs and an institution of higher learning to prepare recommendations for the 10MP.

“We wanted the ordinary people to give their input and feedback through the NGOs,” he said.

Meanwhile, commenting on the party’s rejuvenation exercise, Vellu said results have been “very positive”.

“We now get between 100 and 200 people coming to the MIC headquarters daily to seek our help, and if this is to be used as a yardstick to gauge the support of the Indians for the MIC, then e are on the right track,” he said (ANI)