Govt launches survey on challenges faced by Indian community

 

The National Unity Ministry has launched a survey seeking the views of the Indian community, in a bid to understand the challenges faced by the minority group.

The survey is spearheaded by the ministry’s Malaysia Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra).

“This survey seeks to understand the obstacles faced in terms of accessing quality education, employment opportunities, social welfare programmes, and as a result will ensure efficient allocation of funds to the main issues that are highlighted.

“Your honest feedback on social welfare, education, and career development will help us identify areas for improvement and create positive change,” the anonymous online survey reads.

“By participating, you play a vital role in shaping a better future for the Indian community in Malaysia.”

This comes as National Unity Minister Aaron Ago Dagang is told to resign over his handling of Mitra, which was moved from the Prime Minister’s Department to the National Unity Ministry.

NGOs claiming to represent ethnic Indian interests said Aaron did not show real interest in managing Mitra and that his ministry had invited Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and Gerakan president Dominic Lau to an engagement session on Mitra.

“What is the purpose of inviting Hadi, Muhyiddin, Lau, and all these people to come and give their ideas on Mitra?

“First of all, what do they know about the Indian sentiments?” Dayalan Sreebalan, who heads three NGOs pushing for Indian interests, asked after sending over a memorandum to the ministry today.

Limited upward mobility

Ethnic Indians make up 6.7 percent of the population, based on the 2020 census.

According to a study by Khazanah Research Institute, the ethnic Indian community has lower economic mobility over a generation, compared to the ethnic Chinese or bumiputera community.

Its research found that Chinese children born to parents in the lowest income quartile experience upward mobility with 89 percent moving up the income ladder within a generation.

This is followed by 73 percent bumiputera children, while only 62 percent of Indian children experience the same.

However, based on median income alone, the Indian community is better off than the bumiputera community, with RM6,627 a month compared to RM5,793 a month, official data for 2022 showed.

The number of ethnic Indians who died in custody is also disproportionately higher at about 15 percent of all deaths in custody when they make up just seven percent of the general population. - Mkini