Reveal the figures, MIC told

Miba wants MIC to disclose the figures and documents pertaining to the funds allocated for Indian entrepreneurs.

PETALING JAYA: An Indian business group leader has urged MIC to reveal the proper figures with regard to the funds allocated by the government for Indian entrepreneurs.

Speaking to FMT, Malaysian Indian Business Association (Miba) president P Sivakumar said this was the only way for confidence in MIC to grow.

“Out of the RM180 million that was allocated, only RM30 million is justifiable through Tekun. Perhaps another RM20 million can be justified through the Small and Medium Enterprise Corporation Malaysia (SME). But what about the other RM130 million?” he asked.

Furthermore, he said the RM130 million was dispersed to financial institutions to be given out as business related loans via the Islamic concept.

“It is not easy for Indians to apply for loans via this concept, the document requirements are not flexible. So how is the Indian community going to benefit from this?

“This shows how little the system has opened up for equality and fairplay,” he added.

Sivakumar commended the MIC secretary-general S Murugesan on his comments pertaining to the same issue but stressed that it should be supported with proper documentation.

“Every Malaysian deserves to know the truth. We need more people from MIC to clear the haze by giving statements, this time around with figures and proper supporting documents to get the message across clearly to the people,” he said.

Sivakumar said he welcomed the idea of new policies and programmes being implemented by MIC but felt that the government must participate in this together.

“Stand up and be accounted for, MIC,” he said.

The business leader urged MIC to engage more with NGOs and to live up to the expectations of the people, as this involvement would give them a clearer picture of what was going on and what needed to be done to get an issue resolved.

“A good government should be able to give the people what they need even before they ask for it, not marginalising any community for that matter. How long will it be before a citizen will be able to walk with his head held high, with dignity, under the Malaysian sun?

“MIC will be another 55-year-old Tamil mega-serial unless it steps up to improve in 2013 at least. Let there be some light at the end of the tunnel for Indians,” he said.