The prime minister has invited Indian community groups, including Hindraf, for a discussion with the government to find solutions to the community's long-standing problems.
"This is an open invitation on behalf of the government.We are inviting Hindraf as we know they are the most vocal and the PM, with the new approach, will listen to them.
"We feel even if it's the most extreme group like Hindraf, we will meet them as it is an inclusive approach," Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz told reporters today.
Nazri said Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is prepared to meet with the leaders, including brothers P Waythamoorthy and P Uthayakumar, to discuss issues faced by Indians as the situation is "very critical" for the community.
The announcement comes after Hindraf leaders met with Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim to discuss the possibility of an electoral pact at Parliament House last week.
"This is an open invitation on behalf of the government.We are inviting Hindraf as we know they are the most vocal and the PM, with the new approach, will listen to them.
"We feel even if it's the most extreme group like Hindraf, we will meet them as it is an inclusive approach," Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz told reporters today.Nazri said Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is prepared to meet with the leaders, including brothers P Waythamoorthy and P Uthayakumar, to discuss issues faced by Indians as the situation is "very critical" for the community.
The announcement comes after Hindraf leaders met with Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim to discuss the possibility of an electoral pact at Parliament House last week.
Nazri said the government was using other avenues, other than the MIC, to reach out to a “bigger group” of Indians.
The government's intention was to to ensure the Indian community “does not feel marginalised” and to show that the government “treats all Malaysians equally”.
Among others, he said, the government has extended the micro loan scheme to Indian entrepreneurs, implemented a special civil service recruitment drive for Indian youths and provided allocation for Tamil education.
“In the past, we had affirmative action for the bumiputera. Now we are giving affirmative action to the Indian community, and will do more,” Nazri said.
He said having a discussion was more fruitful than to have the Indian community hold campouts, as several groups have done so in front of the Prime Minister's Office recently, to air grievances.
Asked why the invitation was coming now, during the run-up to the general election, Nazri said Indian-specific development programmes have long been in place, including under the Economic Transformation Programme.
Better chance of conviction as no pre-meditation
The government's intention was to to ensure the Indian community “does not feel marginalised” and to show that the government “treats all Malaysians equally”.
Among others, he said, the government has extended the micro loan scheme to Indian entrepreneurs, implemented a special civil service recruitment drive for Indian youths and provided allocation for Tamil education.
“In the past, we had affirmative action for the bumiputera. Now we are giving affirmative action to the Indian community, and will do more,” Nazri said.
He said having a discussion was more fruitful than to have the Indian community hold campouts, as several groups have done so in front of the Prime Minister's Office recently, to air grievances.
Asked why the invitation was coming now, during the run-up to the general election, Nazri said Indian-specific development programmes have long been in place, including under the Economic Transformation Programme.
Better chance of conviction as no pre-meditation
He had earlier explained that the two students in Alor Gajah who beat to death Form Two student K Sararavan were charged with culpable homicide not because it is a lighter charge.
He also denied that this was because the victim was an Indian and the two accused are Malays.
“It was a spur-of-the-moment fight, and of course, most importantly, there was no pre-meditation, no intention (to kill). So that's why the prosecution decided to charge (as such).
“If (the prosecution) goes for murder, (the duo) may be acquitted, then the people will be very unhappy... So let's be sure and charge them with an offence that we are certain can hold water.”
The duo were not detained or remanded as the offence is a bailable offence, he said.
“There is no such thing, as alleged, about double standards in carrying out justice in this country,” Nazri added.
He also denied that this was because the victim was an Indian and the two accused are Malays.
“It was a spur-of-the-moment fight, and of course, most importantly, there was no pre-meditation, no intention (to kill). So that's why the prosecution decided to charge (as such).
“If (the prosecution) goes for murder, (the duo) may be acquitted, then the people will be very unhappy... So let's be sure and charge them with an offence that we are certain can hold water.”
The duo were not detained or remanded as the offence is a bailable offence, he said.
“There is no such thing, as alleged, about double standards in carrying out justice in this country,” Nazri added.
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