MIC: Special Task force to empower Indians

Programmes implemented by this outfit, says Palanivel, must touch the hearts and minds of the Indian community

PUTRAJAYA: MIC today proposed that the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) set up a high-powered committee to work on short and long term plans for the Indian community.

MIC president G Palanivel said the committee should be headed by planners, thinkers, policy makers and other experts.

“The committee must have MIC leaders as members. The programmes implemented by this committee must touch the hearts and minds of the Indian community,” he said in his policy speech at the 65th MIC AGM at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here, today.

The meeting was officiated by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. Also present was former MIC president S Samy Vellu.

Palanivel said the plans and programmes introduced by the government were good but at times they did not reach the much needed and targeted group.

“When such plans do not reach the intended people, they feel left out and deprived,” he said.

Massive funding required

Palanivel also said that the MIC was setting up a Special Purpose Vehicle which would leapfrog the economic development of the Indian community.

In implementing it, MIC requested several funding such as an allocation of 50,000 acres of land to cultivate oil palm and other crops and a RM60 million palm oil processing mill.

The MIC had also requested for an additional annual allocation of 1,000 places for Indian students in matriculation courses, he said.

“We need government funding for this and the private sector is willing to provide the places,” he said.

He added that a massive funding was also needed for the construction and renovation of Tamil schools throughout the country.

- Bernama