Govt committed to uplifting Malaysia's Indian community - PM

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Sunday reiterated the governments commitment to continue focusing on uplifting the Indian community based on an inclusive approach towards ensuring a better quality of life for the current and coming generations. The prime minister said the government and the Indian communities journey together based on 'nambikei' or trust had borne positive results. "It has brought about real changes towards improving their quality of life," he said in his message posted on his Facebook account in conjunction with the Indian New Year and Vaisakhi 2014. Najib noted that the month of April marked the beginning of a New Year for many in the Malaysian Indian community, with the Tamils ushering in 'Chitirai Putthandu' and Malayalees celebrating 'Vishu'. The Sikh community will celebrate 'Vaisakhi' marking the birth of 'Khalsa'. "While welcoming this new beginning with family and friends, let's take a moment to remember and continue praying for all those on board Flight MH370 and their families," Najib said. The prime minister was alluding to the Malaysia Airlines plane with 239 people aboard which vanished from civilian radars while over the South China Sea, about an hour into its Kuala Lumpur to Beijing flight on March 8. The multinational search for the jetliner is now being carried out in waters off Perth, Australia, in the southern Indian Ocean. Najib concluded his message by saying: "In our very own Malaysian tradition, let us join our Indian brothers and sisters in celebrating these special festivals. "I take this opportunity to wish 'Chitirai Putthandu Vaalthukal' and 'Vishu Ashamsakal' to the Tamil and Malayali community respectively. To the Sikhs in Malaysia, 'Aap Sab Nu Vaisakhi Di Lakh Lakh Vadai Hovey'," he said.