The Malaysian Indian Business Association (Miba) is touched by the Deputy Prime Minister’s and Finance Minister’s reaffirmation of helping the poor and displaced Indians.

Miba an Indian-based NGO, firmly believes that all poor Malaysians regardless of race should be given the support, care and attention to progress and succeed in this country of plenty.

In this respect, we genuinely appreciate the statements by the DPM which said ‘We want to ensure a future for all Malaysians and stakeholders, irrespective of race, so that they can live harmoniously’. This is a Midas touch for all Malaysians.

The Indian Malaysians have struggled all these years and the crying necessity of the day is funding, fair opportunities and just treatment as equal citizens of this country.

No race is born to alone enjoy the world. Each race has a part to play in the social, religious and economic progress of this nation.

The DPM’s standpoint on issues such as for the Tamil schools to be progressively nationalised the enhancement of technical training for Indian youths, the plight of 30,000 Indians without identity documents or birth certificates, micro-credit facilities form small-scale business are all surely reassuring and timely measures to meet the trust and undivided support the Indians have been showering upon the BN Government.

The setting up of a special cabinet committee to look into the Indian community’s plight should work well. Indeed, Miba is hopeful that the committee will seek input from professional Indians and Indian-based NGO’s to ensure a resounding success.

The single biggest problems that the Indian community faces today is the frightening number of its youth being involved in violence and criminal activities.

Strategies and funds need to be in place to begin to change the way these youth see themselves and their lives ahead. They should be encourage to do different things bit by bit until the whole direction of their life changes for the better.

Miba firmly states that the micro-credit funding facility should emphasise on offering start-up capital apart from business expansion financing.

The opportunities for the youths must be varied and they must be encouraged to go into small and medium-scale enterprise.

The select committee must be able to ensure that the Indians get their fair share of permits, licenses and contracts across the board.

The MIC’s initiative, the MIED a credible outfit, has indeed succeeded in wiping the tears of thousands of poor students and this outfit should be given immediate government funding as to ensure continuity in it helping a large section of poor Indian students.

The writer is president, Malaysian Indian Business Association.