Trust me, Najib tells Indian M'sians

The prime minister has sought the trust of the Indian Malaysian community, saying only this will provide hope for the future.

Officiating the new auditorium of the Temple of Fine Arts in Brickfields today, Najib Abdul Razak said the government has many programmes to address legacy and contemporary issues facing the community.

But pivotal to the success of the programmes will be the community's trust in the national leadership.

"We must build this hopeful mindset that has to be premised on solid trust between the leaders,” he said.

"For me to work with you towards a better future, I need your trust so that we may make this sense of hope reach the community everywhere."

He also said it is the duty of community leaders and political leaders in government to "absolutely work together" as "hope for all is not created by accident".

"It needs constant nurturing and the utmost sincerity and dedication in those that seek to provide it," he noted.

Speaking to about 600 people, Najib also mooted starting with a comprehensive documentation of the history of the Indian community in Malaysia who have "struggled and evolved" with the nation.

Building extended

The government had contributed RM3 million to the Temple of Fine Arts, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, to expand its premises to accommodate its growing needs.

The centre for performing arts is still seeking RM10 million to service the bank loan taken to finance the new building.

The centre had also raised RM7 million through a community effort.

It hopes to receive accreditation to become a university of performing arts for Indian classical dance and music.

The institution now has 2,500 students nationwide, as well as others at its centres in Singapore, Australia, Sri Lanka, the US and India.

Also present today was former Works Minister and special envoy to India and South Asia, S Samy Vellu, and former Temple of Fine Arts student S Subramaniam. - Malaysiakini