Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak on Saturday underlined his government’s resolve to solve the “serious problems” of the ethnic Indian community here, but said “it will take a huge effort” to resolve them.
Najib admitting that the woes were genuine and needed to be addressed.
“We will work with all, political parties in and outside his ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) including NGOs,” Najib said, acknowledging that the “problems have been with us for a long time and it will take a huge effort to make a difference in resolving these problems.”
These problems include poverty, higher standard of education at Tamil schools, squatters and creation of business opportunities for the ethnic Indians,” Najib told reporters after launching the Malaysian Makkal Sakti Party (MMSP), a newly formed party led by a former member of the outlawed Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).
Makkal Sakti was the crying call of the outlawed Hindraf group, which organised the November 25 rally of ethnic Indians in 2007 which was attended by over 20,000 members of the minority community to protest against alleged marginalisation of ethnic Indians in this country.
Asked if Makkal Sakti or People’s Power would be invited into ruling BN coalition, Najib replied that it was up to Barisan Supreme Council.
“The majority of the people want the harmony among races to be maintained. They want progress and this is what they will get as long as they believe in the government of the day and the 1Malaysia concept,” he was quoted by national news agency Bernama as saying.
“I see that the Makkal Sakti has many similarities with the concept of 1Malaysia -- that the people come first,” he underlined.
