NGOs draft 'Indian manifesto' for Harapan

 

Several non-governmental organisations have drafted a manifesto for Malaysian Indians, focusing on policies to be drafted at the federal and state levels if Pakatan Harapan assumes government again.

Reformasi Rakyat Malaysia (Rapat) chairperson Rajaretinam Armuggan said he hoped the proposed policies, which have been sent to Harapan chairperson Anwar Ibrahim, will be included in Harapan’s election manifesto.

Its proposals included government GLC policies to safeguard economic empowerment, social reengineering and sustainable employment of the Indian community.

Among the policies included in the manifesto, prepared by Kumpulan Indian-Action Team (I-ACT), focused on social development for the Indian community.

“Financial inadequacy affects children and incapacity to continue one educational pursuit hampers career progress and social advancement.

“Inadequate opportunities coupled with increased dropout rates is a major concern of the Malaysian Indian community as it is (put at) a crossroads wherein factors related to moral decadence and drug abuse add oil to a burning fire,” read the manifesto, sighted by Malaysiakini.

Rapat chairperson Rajaretinam Armuggan

It also called for policies on equity, entertainment, human capital values, law and politics, religion and the education system in Tamil schools.

List of candidates

Speaking at a press conference today, Rajaretinam added that the NGOs have submitted a list of candidates to Harapan several months ago, to be fielded in the upcoming 15th general election.

He said that about 10 names, including his, were submitted to the coalition, comprising active NGO leaders.

However, he told reporters that it wouldn’t be an issue if Harapan did not nominate their proposed candidates, and the group would try again next time.

“We are not demanding any particular seat, we are just hoping that Harapan would consider it. We aren’t demanding the number (of seats).

“At the end of the day, it is about the rakyat. We respect their decision,” he said.

On a separate issue, Rajaretinam lamented the allocations made for the Indian community in Budget 2023.

Referring to this year’s collective allocation of RM125 million for the Indian community, he claimed that the community was sidelined.

“Every time there is (the tabling of) budget, we have to beg. Only RM125 million, what can we do with that money for nearly two million people (within that community)?

“The Orang Asli community received RM305 million, which is only used for around 200,000 people. I don’t see the logic,” he said. - Mkini