Subra: More for Indians under Najib's budget, none under Harapan

There is more for the Indian community to celebrate with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's 2018 budget compared to the Pakatan Harapan shadow budget, MIC president Dr S Subramaniam said.

Subramaniam, who is also health minister, said he did not see anything worthwhile for the Indian community in Harapan's budget.

"I don't see what was the focus for the Indian community, so I cannot comment (on Harapan's shadow budget).

"But the 2018 budget announced by the prime minister will benefit all walks of life, from the unborn baby to the elderly. Everyone receives aid," he said at a press conference today.

Last Friday, Najib announced his ninth budget, totalling RM280.25 billion, which he described as the "mother to all budgets".

Under Budget 2018, the government will allocate RM1.5 billion for an investment scheme for Indians; RM500 million for zero-interest loans to enable qualified 100,000 Indian bottom 40 percent (B40) households to subscribe to 5,000 units in Amanah Saham 1Malaysia; as well as RM50 million for Tamil schools, among others to uplift the community next year. 

Najib also promised to increase the Indian intake into the public service from the current four percent to seven percent. 

In its shadow budget unveiled on Oct 25, Harapan said it will set up a special fund to increase the equity share of Indian Malaysians and a separate fund to nurture Indian entrepreneurs, if the coalition takes power.

Subramaniam was open about Budget 2018 being an election budget and said it would be "stupid" if the party didn't capitalise on it.

He added: "We all know that next year is an election year, so whatever said and done, people will say this is an election budget. It is true.

"We will take all this to the ground and tell them (Indian community) that we are doing so much. If we don't do this, we are a stupid political party. 

"This is the budget in line with what we have promised to bring a better future for them. Because they have a better future and will vote for us."

'Budget crucial to kick off blueprint'

Elaborating further, Subramaniam said MIC is grateful that Najib's budget will be able to address long-standing issues of Indian community, which were also highlighted as part of 34 initiatives in the Malaysian Indian Blueprint (MIB).

"This budget is crucial to kick off the 10-year blueprint," he added.

He also denied that Najib's administration has neglected the welfare of the Indian community.

"To be fair, since the prime minister took over the job in 2009 , he has been announcing positive things for the Indian community," he said.

Subramaniam declined to comment on whether the party was interested to meet People's Progressive Party (MyPPP) president M Kayveas, who wants to contest the Cameron Highlands parliamentary seat in the coming election.

Kayveas said last week that he would hold a special meeting with Subramaniam to resolve the issue of candidacy in the best interest of BN.

"Today is only on the blueprint (and budget). I don't want to divulge other things," he said.

Kayveas had previously claimed that the Cameron Highlands seat would be returned to MyPPP based on the promise made by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 2000, but Subramaniam said the constituency remained MIC’s seat, as announced by Najib.

- Mkini