Najib to MIC: Show your track record

Extra funding is not an issue but MIC leadership must prove its track record in spending for the Indian community, says PM Najib.

MALACCA: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak wants the MIC leadership to prove its track record and show the results in helping the Indian community before asking for more funding from the government.

Najib said this today when delivering his opening speech at MIC’s 67th General Assembly in Malacca.

Barisan Nasional secretary-general Tengku Adnan Mansor, Malacca Chief Minister Idris Harun and former MIC president S Samy Vellu were also present.

According to Najib, extra funding was not an issue for the government but the MIC leadership should show how they have benefited and channelled the funds allocated by the government to the community.

He also pointed out that the result of deliverance to the community will be only shown when there was an increase support and ‘nambikei’ (trust) placed on the government.

Najib also called on the MIC leadership to put more work to address the issues faced by the community.

“BN government has done more for the Indian community, compared to the opposition.

“I also have recorded my sincere thanks to the community during my Budget speech recently in Parliament,” said Najib.

Najib also said that he realised the drop of support among Indians when BN lost badly in the 2008 general election and took drastic steps to address the problems in the 2013 general election in wooing the Indian support for BN government.

Nevertheless, he also added that there was still a gap of support among Indians for BN, and urged the MIC leadership to assist the BN in addressing the issues of the Indian community.

During his speech, Najib also criticised the hefty salary hike for Selangor’s elected reps.

He said Pakatan Rakyat was trying to fool the people and enriching themselves at the expense of the people.

MIC wants RM3 billion for Indians
Before the PM’s speech, MIC president G Palanivel addressed the delegates and said MIC wanted the government to allocate RM3 billion for the party to help the Indian community.

This fund would be used to enhance the Indian community in training, education and as business loans for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Palanivel also urged the government to ensure the promised 1,500 matriculation quotas for Indian students are fulfilled.

In addition, the MIC president also wants to see more Indians in local public varsities.

He said that at present, only 1,742 Indian students were enrolled in local universities, and hoped the government would assist to increase the number of Indians students to 4,000.