Najib: Indian community to also benefit from Malaysia's transformation

The government will remain inclusive especially in ensuring that all Malaysians, including the Indian community, benefit from the country's transformation towards becoming a fully developed nation by 2020.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak said this could be seen through several initiatives during the recent 2014 Budget presentation in Parliament that focus on empowering the Indian community.

These include an additional RM100 million fund for skills training as well as RM50 million in loans to be disbursed by Tekun Nasional for small enterprises as well as by Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia.

The government will also formulate more special programmes to upgrade the status of the Indian community, he said.

"We will be working very closely with the various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) including MyNadi Foundation and Sri Murugan Centre and a number of Indian-based NGOs so that together, we will be able to deliver and make a difference to the Indian community.

"I hope that you feel the government cares for you, that the government is truly inclusive in all that we do," said the prime minister at the Deepavali celebration here today.

Najib, who is here for a five-day working visit, said in the journey towards becoming an advanced economy, there is a need to recognise the contributions of each and every community whether big or small.

"The Indian community played a very significant part in the early years of our independence, post independence and in the development of Malaysia.

"I believe they will continue to play an important part as we march towards achieving our aim of being an advanced nation, a fully developed nation," said Najib, who is also the Finance Minister.

Najib was accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor. Also present was Malaysian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Datuk Seri Zakaria Sulong.

The celebration, which was attended by more than 100 members of the Malaysian diaspora, was organised by Malaysian Link UK, and was livened up by an Odissi dance performance by Malaysia's renowned Indian classical dancer and scholar Datuk Ramli Ibrahim.