MIC slams opposition for claiming Indian action plan is election gimmick

The MIC has slammed the opposition for continuing to claim the Malaysian Action Plan for the Indian Community (MIB) as an election gimmick by the Barisan Nasional (BN).

Its president, Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said the opposition was seen as being desperate as it often associated the government's initiative to assist and develop the Indian community, with political sentiment.

In fact, he said that according to the opposition, there was no 'appropriate time' for the government to announce initiatives that would benefit the people but (the government) was instead, accused of handing out 'election candies'.

"Since the Malaysian Indian Blueprint was announced by the prime minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) on April 23, there has been no appreciation from the opposition, saying this is a good plan to develop the Indian community.

"They (the opposition) mislead the people by saying MIB will not exist after the election. The opposition has no good intentions towards us. If the Indians do not trust the government's announcement, how else can we help? Think about it," he said at the opening of the service centre for the Special Implementation Task Force (SITF), Ijok branch here today.

Dr Subramaniam, who is also health minister urged Indians to be mature enough and not be affected by the opposition's propaganda because only the BN government was capable of protecting their interests to achieve progress.

MIB aims to assist and develop the Indian community, especially those in the B40 group (whose household income represents the lowest 40 per cent) was prepared using the comprehensive and inclusive approach for the next 10 years and it has been in the works since May 2015.

In the meantime, Dr Subramaniam said the number of SITF service centres would be increased gradually at locations with a high Indian population density.

He said so far, eight SITF service centres were operating and three more were under renovation and would be operational within a month.

On the Ijok state seat, he said the MIC would make every effort to ensure it was back in BN's hands as it was the party's traditional seat.

-- BERNAMA