Don’t give us peanuts, Indians tell Najib

The PM must allocate sufficient funds in Budget 2014 to help wean Indian youths from crime and gangsterism, say several leaders

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak will be tabling the 2014 Budget on Oct 25. What is in store for the Malaysian Indian community has raised concerns among its leaders.

MIC Youth chief T Mohan hoped that Najib, who is also Finance Minister 1, would make sufficient allocations to fight crime.

“I believe it will be the right time for the premier to allocate funds to curb the escalating crime among Indian youth,” said Mohan.

Statistics from the police indicate that the Indians are leading the chart in crime activities.

Mohan strongly believes that the government has neglected the Indians and this could be one of the reasons why they are getting involved in gangsterism and criminal activities.

“MIC considers the claims by the police that nearly 29,000 Indians were active in secret societies as alarming and something needs to be done.

“Shooting or confining them by implementing new laws will not solve the problems,” said Mohan.

“Instead, the government must work hand in glove with Indian based political parties and NGOs, providing alternatives like creating job opportunities.

Thus, Budget 2014 budget should concentrate on a special allocation to Indians to combat crime.

“There is no point talking about gangsterism and crime among Indians when the government refuses to help them financially,” said Mohan.

Apart from crime prevention, special allocation should also be made for sports in Tamil schools and skills training programmes for less competent Indian students in secondary schools.

Creating job opportunities for unemployed Indians in all sectors within the government also would help the Indians to upgrade their lifestyle in future.

Sufficient loans needed

Meanwhile, a Pakatan Rakyat friendly NGO urged the government to provide micro credit financing for potential Indian entrepreneurs.

S Barathidasan, the secretary of MIPAS, said that the loan amount should at least be RM30,000 to RM50,000. It can facilitate Indians to venture into businesses.

“Giving RM6,000 under Tekun scheme is nothing but peanuts,” he said.

MIPAS also pointed out that Najib must fulfill his promises made in the Hindraf blueprint.

“The upcoming budget is a perfect avenue for the PM to deliver the six-point demand in a the MoU Umno signed with Hindraf before the 13th General Election,” added Mohan.