Najib: More can be done for the Indian community

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak gave his assurance that more could be done for the Indian community with unity and continued 'nambikei' between the government and the community.

He called upon the Indian community to stay united and focused in achieving the best outcome through the various initiatives that the government was delivering to the community.

He said through a strong commitment and trust, or ‘nambikei’ between the government and the Indian community, they had been able to bring much improvement and transformation to the community as a whole.

"With this unity and the continued ‘nambikei’ between us, I can assure you that we can do much more and reach out to every deserving Indian family, thereby ensuring that the progress of our nation is shared by all Malaysians alike," he said in his message posted on his www.1Malaysia.com.my blog in conjunction with the Ponggal celebration tomorrow.

He described the arrival of the auspicious month of ‘Thai’ in the Indian calendar marked the celebration of ‘Ponggal’, the harvest festival that symbolises a new beginning.

"As our friends signify the bountiful harvest by their tradition of boiling milk and rice, we are reminded of the rapid growth of our country’s transformation agenda that has brought much success and continued development for the benefit of all Malaysians," he said.

Najib said Malaysia was a country full of opportunities and by strengthening unity as well as working hard together, all Malaysians would share the country’s harvest, as the nation progress towards a developed and high-income nation status by 2020.

The prime minister also wished all Malaysian Indians "Ponggal Vaalthukal" and a very happy Ponggal.

"Let us all come together in the spirit of 1Malaysia to join our friends and celebrate this festival with renewed hope that this festival of new beginnings will bring Malaysia more progress and success," he said.

"If we attend festivals like Ponggal, we can better understand the people's aspirations and sensitivities," he said.

Also present were the prime minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister and Selangor BN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Noh Omar, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, Deputy Finance Minister and Selangor MCA chief Datuk Donald Lim, Deputy Foreign Minister and Selangor Gerakan chief Senator Kohilan Pillay and PPP president Datuk Seri M. Kayveas.