The Selangor Indian Advisory Council (SICC) today proposed that the government establish a committee to monitor the implementation of all plans and programmes for the Indian community by relevant agencies.
Its chairperson Charles Santiago said the proposed committee would help Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to monitor the allocation channelled for the development of the Indian community through agencies such as the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (Mitra) and the Business Group Economic Fund (Tekun).
"Our proposal is for the government to establish a committee that can monitor three important issues - the number of applicants, the number of recipients, and the social impact,” he said at a special press conference with the SICC at Wisma MCIS in Petaling Jaya today.
Charles (above) said important social impacts to be measured include the level of increased income and whether the funds had adequately addressed a recipient’s needs.
“The (proposed) committee must be empowered to determine if there is any social impact through the allocation channelled by the government to overcome the problems of the Indian community," said the former Klang MP.
SICC is a council comprising more than 30 NGOs representing the Indian community in Selangor.
The body is represented by academics, business owners, former government employees, educators and grassroots leaders who came together to raise issues and problems facing the Indian community.
Charles added that the government today is sensitive to the problems faced by the Indian community but the allocations have not reached the target group or successfully achieved set goals.
‘Mitra under the BN era has no accountability’
Commenting further, Charles said the proposal today is believed to be able to gain the confidence of the Indian community to support the present federal and state governments.
"We ask the government to change or improve the existing system. This will motivate the Indian community to vote for Pakatan Harapan," he said.
Asked if he agreed that Mitra had never been held accountable for issues related to the progress of the Indian community over the years, Charles acknowledged this but insisted that under Anwar's administration, the matter is being looked into.
"It is fair to say that during the BN era, Mitra had no accountability. There was no auditing. This is something that should be done.
"But now with the new prime minister, he says it needs to be audited and presented to the public," Charles added.
‘Criticise people who are given responsibility’
Commenting further, Charles also defended Anwar’s commitment to assist the Indian community, saying instead any blame should be placed on agencies tasked to carry out programmes planned.
"The policy of the unity government is very clear in helping the Indian community to solve the problem of poverty, deal with Indian youth issues and support women. Each target group has been identified.
"So, the main problem is the implementation. And also the leaders in the government who fight with each other. It's not just any (small) row, but happens every day and we (the community) are sick of seeing it,” he said.
"People entrusted with duties, (but) they don't do the work. This is the problem," he stressed.
Last week, Charles said Indian voters, who make up 18 percent of the electorate in Kuala Kubu Baharu, are not interested in ceramah but want their grievances addressed.
He also sparked a heated exchange with Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari’s aide after suggesting an apparent “disconnect” between the state government and Indian voters.
‘Give Anwar more time’
Meanwhile, Sentosa assemblyperson Dr Gunaraj George urged the people to continue to support and give Anwar more time to succeed in all the plans drawn up by his administration.
"Anything we want to ask for, we can ask for, the PM is ready to listen. The issue of the placement of farm workers has been going on for over 26 years but I know of the PM's order to resolve it and the minister has done it.
"Some things can pass immediately, some cannot. Therefore, to critics, we welcome (criticism) but do not (to) spread slander,” he said.
"We need to give time. The prime minister has just been given the mandate. Before that (former premier) Najib Abdul Razak (governed) for nine years and Dr Mahathir Mohamad for 22 years.
“There are many plans, but we need to give him time, trust and support as the prime minister, not (just) as PKR president," he added. - Mkini
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