KUALA LUMPUR: The government will continue addressing issues affecting the Indian community, particularly in education and welfare, including the development of Tamil schools and promotion of the Tamil language.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government recognised that more needed to be done to ensure the community’s needs were addressed effectively.
“This also applies to issues involving Hindu temples, Indian traders and the lives of poor Indians in cities and estate areas.
“We must make an effort to address and resolve these issues,” he said.
He was speaking at the national-level Deepavali celebration in Little India, Brickfields, today.
Also present were National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, his deputy R. Yuneswaran, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo, Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil and Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry president Datuk Seri N. Gobalakrishnan.
Anwar said the Madani government would ensure welfare assistance was channelled according to people’s needs, regardless of race, as part of efforts to ensure all segments of society benefited from the country’s development.
“When we introduce programmes such as Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara), we also take into account the needs of the people.
“In January, when schools reopen, our children in all schools, from all communities and in all districts, will receive assistance of RM200 per pupil.
“Why? Because we are thinking about their future.”
On the Deepavali celebration, Anwar said Malaysians should embrace togetherness, mutual respect and appreciation despite their differences.
“We come here in a spirit of family, like old friends. Sometimes, we have not seen each other for a long time.
“Sometimes, we have never even met before. But, you know, we like each other and respect each other.
“We are different. Our skin colours, religions, cultures, mother tongues and ancestry are different.
“But we share common human values. We respect and appreciate one another. That is how Malaysia must be, must remain and must succeed as Malaysia,” he said.