MIC President Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu says the pledges made by Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for the betterment of the Indian community showed the Barisan Nasional (BN) government looked after the interests of all races in the country.

Expressing MIC's appreciation to the Prime Minister, Samy Vellu said the pledges would also create more equitable opportunities for Indians.

"These are not mere promises but decisions that will be implemented with MIC's co-operation. We will ensure these decisions are carried our according to the Prime Minister's instructions in the next five years and thereafter," he said in a statement.

Abdullah made the pledges in advertisements placed by BN in Tamil newspapers today.

Among others, the Prime Minister promised that places of worship would be respected and protected, a pledge Samy Vellu said had given an "added assurance" to the Indian community.

The Works Minister said the party also welcomed Abdullah's pledge to take in more Indians into the civil service.

Other pledges include meeting educational needs of Indian children, further upgrading learning and teaching facilities in Tamil schools, increasing assistance for low-income and urban poor families and enhancing business opportunities for Indians.

"The Prime Minister's pledges have reinforced what the BN has been doing for the people for the past 50 years," added Samy Vellu who is defending his trade mark Sungai Siput parliamentary seat for the ninth term in Saturday's general election.


Quoted From
BERNAMA 

Thursday, 06 Mar 2008