Deputy National Unity Minister K Saraswathy has come to the defence of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration against claims that Indian community issues are being sidelined.
The PKR senator, citing concrete examples, pushed back against what she described as a “misconception propagated by certain quarters”, insisting that concerns affecting the Indian community are indeed being addressed at the highest levels of government.
“This is completely untrue and does not reflect the government’s ongoing commitment to the well-being and progress of all Malaysians, including the Indian community,” she said in a statement.
Saraswathy pointed out that there were additional financial allocations to MIC’s Aimst university and Tafe college, as well as funding for MIED (Maju Institute of Educational Development) scholarships, ensuring that Indian students have better access to higher education.
The senator said the government has also taken steps to resolve long-standing citizenship issues.
These included setting up a special task force under the Home Ministry in early 2023 to simplify late birth registrations and MyKad issuance, especially for Indian children born to undocumented parents, with the goal of ending statelessness among Indians who have lived in Malaysia since before independence.
She said the government has expanded scholarships and financial aid for Indian youths in TVET (technical and vocational education and training), focusing on high-demand fields like engineering, digital tech, and renewable energy.
She added that 500 Indian youths were also sent to China for advanced training.
“The government also announced the ‘TVET for All’ initiative, ensuring Tamil school leavers and Indian youths have access to technical education and job placement schemes, particularly through partnerships between government and non-governmental agencies.
“In addition to that, the Malaysian Indian Skill Initiative or Misi has been set up under the Human Resources Ministry with an allocation of RM30 million,” she added.
Education is key
Recognising education as key to breaking the cycle of poverty, Saraswathy said the National Social Council, led by the deputy prime minister, has launched a study and intervention plan to tackle school dropout rates among Indian students in Malaysia.
“This effort follows numerous engagements with community stakeholders and is also in line with the government’s Madani agenda of ensuring no community is left behind,” she added.
Saraswathy said the government has further reaffirmed its commitment to address the needs of the Indian community by implementing resolutions from the recent National Hindu Temple Conference.
The National Hindu Temple Conference, jointly organised by the Malaysian Hindu Sangam (MHS) and the National Unity Ministry, presented critical resolutions aimed at:
Improving temple land ownership and legalisation, ensuring temple sites are properly gazetted and protected.
Strengthening temple governance with capacity-building programmes for temple committees to improve management and transparency.
Transforming temples into centres of social, cultural development, education, and community service.
Empowering Indian youth through TVET conducted at the temple facilities.
Securing increased allocations for temple maintenance and development.
According to Saraswathy, cabinet discussions also led to the easing of syariah compliance requirements for micro credit facilities for Indian entrepreneurs under the Indian Community Entrepreneur Development Scheme.
“These concrete examples demonstrate that issues affecting the Indian community remain a central consideration for the government.
“Far from being sidelined, Indian welfare has continued to receive strategic attention and direct funding, coordinated across ministries.
“All issues pertaining to Indians are being raised through relevant ministries as part of the collective responsibility of the cabinet to ensure measurable outcomes.
“Therefore, any narrative suggesting that Indian community concerns are ignored at the cabinet level is both factually incorrect and out of touch with the documented reality,” she added. - Mkini
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