PSUAM pleads for Bumiputera status for the Indian Muslim community

The Persatuan Sahabat Ulul Amri Malaysia (PSUAM) is pleading that the government accords the Bumiputera status to the Indian Muslim community born in this country.

The request was made through a memorandum handed by the association to the Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Ahmad Maslan to be presented to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

PSUAM president Syed Muhammad Imran Syed Abd Aziz said the status was justified as the Indian Muslim community in Malaysia recognized and accorded sovereignty to the Malay Rulers besides speaking in the Malay language and embracing Islam.

"They also adopt the Malay culture and traditions in their daily life," he told reporters after the 'Ihya Ramadan' programme organised by the Selangor and Federal Territory Malabari Muslim Jamaat (MMJ) Association, here today.

Also present was the Selangor and Federal Territory MMJ president Abu Bakar Koyakutty.

Syed Muhammad Imran said there were about five million Indian Muslims in the country, of whom, 700,000 were of Malabari descendants originating from Kerala, India.

Meanwhile, Ahmad who was also present at the event said the PSUAM must prepare a complete working paper for consideration by the prime minister.

He said the association could refer to the working paper prepared by the Siamese community which enabled them to get the Bumiputera status in the country.

-- BERNAMA