The future of Malaysian Indians is with the Barisan Nasional (BN) and they must work within the system and not against it, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today.

He reminded the Indian community that only the BN government could guarantee their future by continuing to improve their social-economic well-being.

"Continue to place your trust with the Barisan. The Barisan is the future of Malaysian Indians and all Malaysians. The future will be better if you work within the system and not against it," he said when opening a one-day MIC special convention for branch chairmen at the Putra World Trade Centre.

The convention, attended by about 3,700 branch chairmen and MIC elected representatives, is to prepare the party's grassroots machinery for the upcoming general election.

Najib said Malaysia cannot emerge as a developed nation by 2020 if any of the races, including Indians, were marginalised.

"Do you think your future can be guaranteed by those staging street demonstrations? It is important to send signals to the Indian community that their future lies with the BN," he said.

He said the MIC and the Indian community had proven their loyalty to the Barisan and the government since independence.

As such, he said, the MIC leaders and members must work hard to deliver a high percentage of Indian votes to the Barisan in the coming general election.

He said the Barisan government would do more for the Indian community.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan had been asked to increase the intake of Indians and non-Bumiputeras in the civil service.

"(He has been asked) Make sure when they (Indians) apply (for jobs), don't just reject. Make sure the good ones are taken in. By doing that, it will increase employment opportunities for the Indians," he said.

Najib said more scholarships would also be given to Indians entering public universities and the bright ones would be sent to foreign universities.

When they returned after completing their studies, they can join the civil service, he said.

He said the micro-credit loans for Indian businessmen should also be increased.

Najib said Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo had been asked to ensure Indians engaged in the scrap metal trade in the state be allowed to continue with their business.

Najib said the Indian community had progressed in many fields since Independence, adding that although they constituted only eight per cent of the country's total population, 26.6 per cent of the medical doctors are Indians, dentists (18.4 per cent), veterinarians (24.8 per cent) and lawyers (24.1 percent).

Statistics showed the household income of Indians was RM3,215, higher than the national average of RM3,022 and RM2,522 of the Bumiputeras.

"Hence, it's illogical to say we are carrying out ethnic cleansing on the Indians in this country, it defies logic totally.

"It's also not true to say Indians did not benefit from the nation's mainstream development," he said.

Najib, however, said there were legitimate aspirations and grievances among the Indian community which needed to be addressed.

On the general election, the Deputy Prime Minister said: "Everyone must work hard to ensure Barisan's victory because people are educated and their expectations are very high.

"In fact, even in Umno, there was a time when we used to say you put a songkok also you can win, but now we are telling Umno members don't expect that to happen today," he added.

Elaborating on his speech at a press conference later, Najib said there was a need to consolidate under-enrolled Tamil schools.

"What is important is not the number of pupils, but the quality of education that we provide to ensure upward mobility for the community," he said.

He also said Malaysia-born Indian children without birth certificates should have access to education.

He said the issue was discussed in the Cabinet and it was decided that village heads and penghulus would be asked to verify the children's status.

"Children born in Malaysia have the right to education. We are a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children," he said.

On the temples' issue, Najib said the government would ensure relocation of temples was done orderly.

He said the demolition of the Padang Jawa Temple in Klang in November last year, just a few days before Deepavali, should not be repeated.

"That was wrong on their part. We are sorry for that," he added.

There are about 24,000 temples in the country.

Quoted From
BERNAMA 

Sunday, 03 Feb 2008