NGOs push 3 proposals to uplift the Indian community

 Ex-Klang MP Charles Santiago, speaking on behalf of the groups, says greater efforts were needed to strengthen the community.

Former Klang MP Charles Santiago said the proposed Cabinet committee should be formed as a first step.

PETALING JAYA:

A coalition of 19 Indian NGOs known as Gelombang Saksama has proposed establishing a dedicated statutory body, a public-private funding vehicle and a Cabinet committee to address the Indian community’s socio-economic challenges.

Former Klang MP Charles Santiago, speaking for the coalition, said the statutory body would serve as the main agency responsible for implementing measures to improve the community’s socio-economic position.

“We believe that body should be the parent body responsible for managing efforts to improve the socio-economic situation and address the deprivation faced by the Indian community,” he told a press conference at Hotel Armada, here, after meeting Bersama leaders.

NGOs in Gelombang Saksama include the Hindu Youth Organisation, the Selangor Indian Consultative Council, the Telugu Association of Malaysia, Hindu Seva Sangam, MySkills Foundation, Tamil Foundation, as well as the Educational, Welfare & Research Foundation Malaysia.

Santiago said the second proposal is for a public-private funding vehicle, with contributions from both the Indian community and the government.

He said research by the NGOs showed that about RM100 million could potentially be raised from the community in the first year to support entrepreneurship, education and welfare initiatives.

The third proposal is for a Cabinet committee to address the community’s day-to-day problems.

“So, in terms of sequencing, the Cabinet committee should be set up as soon as possible. That will lay the groundwork for setting up the funding vehicle, as well as the dedicated statutory body we are proposing.”

He said the Indian community’s socio-economic situation had worsened over the past decade and called for greater efforts to strengthen the community, which makes up about 6.5% of Malaysia’s population.

“But fast-forward to today, the situation is far worse than it was many years ago. So therefore, the question confronting us is – do we want a weak Indian community, or do we want a strong one?”

Meanwhile, Bersama leader Rafizi Ramli said the party would consider the proposals as it develops its policy papers, which will eventually form the basis of its manifesto.

He said the party would also consult other groups and hold further discussions with Gelombang Saksama.

Rafizi also acknowledged concerns that numerous promises had been made to the Indian community over the years, saying the main issue was implementation.

“Even if these broader issues are successfully addressed, there will still be groups that require specific attention because the problems they face and the context in which they arise differ from one group to another,” he said. - FMT