Government concerned over needs of Indian community - Ahmad Zahid

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says the government will continue to cater to the needs of the Indian community in education and business, as they are important components of the country's plural society.

He stressed that minority groups in Malaysia always received the government's attention, let alone the Indian community which helped the country gain independence.

"The prime minister's (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's) deep concern for the Indian community was shown when tabling the 2016 Budget in Parliament yesterday," he said at a Deepavali celebration organised by the Kuala Lumpur Traders Association in Lebuh Ampang here Saturday night.

Also present were Health Minister and MIC president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam and Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

In his budget speech, Najib announced several incentives for the Indian community, including RM100 million allocation via Indian Community Entrepreneur Development Scheme and RM50 million allocation by SME Bank to aid small businessmen.

Meanwhile, Zahid said Najib needed the support of all the people, including the Indian community, despite efforts by certain quarters out to worsen the current situation in the country.

"As a country which has a plural society, we must set aside differences, whether we are Indians, Chinese or others. We are all Malaysians."

He said all parties should cooperate and put aside their political ideology in order to safeguard the unity of the people in this country.