Wanted – RM5b to help Indians, Orang Asli

B Nantha Kumar | August 23, 2011

Malaysian Indian Business Association says these communities need the money over five years to pull themselves out of their impoverished state.

KUALA LUMPUR: A call has gone out to help the Indian and Orang Asli communities to the tune of RM5 billion over the next five years. This is what the Malaysian Indian Business Association wants Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to include in his 2012 Budget.

Association president P Sivakumar said the coming budget must help improve the lifestyle of the minority communities.

He said although Najib has done something to help the minority communities, only a few million dollars have been given out, which is insufficient.

He added the new budget should pay special attention to the minorities, especially Indians and the Orang Asli.

He said the government should allocate RM1 billion each year for the Indians and Orang Asli over the next five years.

“By allocating the proposed amount, five years will be time enough for the communities to catch up with the others.”

He said 80% of the Indians are in the urban and semi-urban areas and of this, 30% are in the lower income group.

Sivakumar said they do not own houses or given business opportunties to get out of their impoverished situation.

He also asked the government to open up the closed sectors like government contracts and job opportunities in government-linked companies (GLC) .

“After 54 years of independence the nation cannot be run on racial lines, ” he said.

He said Najib is trying to implement the 1Malaysia concept, but unfortunately the civil service has no intention of being flexible.