Najib should understand better the complex behaviour and passions of the Tamils in this country and their demands and problems that were highlighted by the mammoth Hindraf rally two years ago.
Najib's visit to the Batu Caves on the eve of Thaipusam this year to grace the occasion that will bring nearly a million Hindu devotees for the annual celebrations.
Najib must have realised by now that the Indian problem is far too complex and deep seated to be solved by some social visits to their heartland and temples. These may be genuine gestures of goodwill but they are far from what the Indians need now.
What is needed is a comprehensive aid policy centred on improving their standard of education and providing more opportunities in education and jobs without discrimination.
The Indians hope that these visits may nevertheless be the beginning of such the non-discriminative ‘1Malaysia’ policy that Najib has pledged. Najib’s visits to Chennai and Batu Caves come at a time when the Indians in the country are deeply divided and many not happy with the BN government.
The MIC that used to be the main party that represented them has collapsed and there are no signs that it can ever regain its past glory as the undisputed champion of the Indian community. The exceptionally large numbers of Indian political parties that have popped up of late indicate the greatly divided, weakened and directionless Indian community.
The Indian share of the economy has markedly dropped and continues to decline. Educational and job opportunities are also declining which have resulted in a high unemployment and crime rate among the Indians. Today, the Indian community, in particular the Tamil communitym is economically impoverished and socially handicapped when competing with the other races in the country.
They need the right assistance which is far from coming either from the government or the private sector which operates along racial lines. The Indian community must adopt a new mindset in keeping with the rapidly changing competitive scenario in a global world where only the best succeed. They must strive to be the best by casting aside their outdated beliefs and practises and acquire the new advances in science, technology and commerce.
There is no place for complacency, laziness and an over-dependence on fate or divine help in this modern era of scientific and technological sophistication. To master these new skills and techniques they must become competent in English like their predecessors of the sixties and seventies. Unfortunately, today English is being neglected as it is seen as a threat to their mother tongue and culture.
It is time for the Indian community to take stock of its position today and work towards being integrated with the other races in fighting for their needs and rights as Malaysians.
Fighting along racial lines as has been done for the past 52years has clearly failed to produce the desired results, not only for the Indians but for a large section of the Malays as well who continue to live in poverty even in urban areas. Such a racial policy is not going to help the Indian community who form just 8% of the population with no economic or political power to change things.
The political landscape in the country has changed where race-based politics is becoming obsolete. The Indians - being a minority - will always be marginalised if they continue to strive along such racial lines.
They must adopt a mindset to consider themselves as Malaysians to fight along with the other races without ethnic distinction. Only such a multiracial platform will guarantee a better future for their future generation.
The prime minister’s visit to Chennai and Batu Caves may be a boost to the morale of the Indians but there is much more to be done by them if they want to become equal to the other races in this nation of opportunities.
Unless they, in particular the Tamils, buck up and change their work ethic and attitude towards life, no amount of aid from the government or other the parties is going to elevate their socio- economic status to be in par with other communities.
02/02/10
Najib's visit to the Batu Caves on the eve of Thaipusam this year to grace the occasion that will bring nearly a million Hindu devotees for the annual celebrations.
Najib must have realised by now that the Indian problem is far too complex and deep seated to be solved by some social visits to their heartland and temples. These may be genuine gestures of goodwill but they are far from what the Indians need now.
What is needed is a comprehensive aid policy centred on improving their standard of education and providing more opportunities in education and jobs without discrimination.
The Indians hope that these visits may nevertheless be the beginning of such the non-discriminative ‘1Malaysia’ policy that Najib has pledged. Najib’s visits to Chennai and Batu Caves come at a time when the Indians in the country are deeply divided and many not happy with the BN government.
The MIC that used to be the main party that represented them has collapsed and there are no signs that it can ever regain its past glory as the undisputed champion of the Indian community. The exceptionally large numbers of Indian political parties that have popped up of late indicate the greatly divided, weakened and directionless Indian community.
The Indian share of the economy has markedly dropped and continues to decline. Educational and job opportunities are also declining which have resulted in a high unemployment and crime rate among the Indians. Today, the Indian community, in particular the Tamil communitym is economically impoverished and socially handicapped when competing with the other races in the country.
They need the right assistance which is far from coming either from the government or the private sector which operates along racial lines. The Indian community must adopt a new mindset in keeping with the rapidly changing competitive scenario in a global world where only the best succeed. They must strive to be the best by casting aside their outdated beliefs and practises and acquire the new advances in science, technology and commerce.
There is no place for complacency, laziness and an over-dependence on fate or divine help in this modern era of scientific and technological sophistication. To master these new skills and techniques they must become competent in English like their predecessors of the sixties and seventies. Unfortunately, today English is being neglected as it is seen as a threat to their mother tongue and culture.
It is time for the Indian community to take stock of its position today and work towards being integrated with the other races in fighting for their needs and rights as Malaysians.
Fighting along racial lines as has been done for the past 52years has clearly failed to produce the desired results, not only for the Indians but for a large section of the Malays as well who continue to live in poverty even in urban areas. Such a racial policy is not going to help the Indian community who form just 8% of the population with no economic or political power to change things.
The political landscape in the country has changed where race-based politics is becoming obsolete. The Indians - being a minority - will always be marginalised if they continue to strive along such racial lines.
They must adopt a mindset to consider themselves as Malaysians to fight along with the other races without ethnic distinction. Only such a multiracial platform will guarantee a better future for their future generation.
The prime minister’s visit to Chennai and Batu Caves may be a boost to the morale of the Indians but there is much more to be done by them if they want to become equal to the other races in this nation of opportunities.
Unless they, in particular the Tamils, buck up and change their work ethic and attitude towards life, no amount of aid from the government or other the parties is going to elevate their socio- economic status to be in par with other communities.
02/02/10
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