While promising several goodies for the Indian community, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak at the same time today warned the community not to go against the ruling BN.

najib arms procurement defense 290307 najib He reminded the community that their future was only bright with the ruling coalition. He added that only BN could guarantee a better socio-economic well-being for them.

Work within the system, he told them, not against it, he stressed.

"Continue to place your trust with the Barisan. The Barisan is the future of Malaysian Indians and all Malaysians.

“The future will be better if you work within the system and not against it," he said this morning when opening a one-day MIC special convention for branch chairperson at the Putra World Trade Centre.

The convention - attended by about 3,700 branch chairmen and MIC elected representatives - is to prepare the party's grassroots machinery for the upcoming general election.

In obvious reference to Hindu Rights Action Force and the opposition parties, Najib also urged the community members not to be taken in by promises made by those who “stage street demonstrations”.

"Do you think your future can be guaranteed by those staging street demonstrations? It is important to send signals to the Indian community that their future lies with the BN," he said.

He added that the MIC and the community has always been loyal to the BN since independence and urged them to continue that loyalty.

He asked the community to work hard to ensure the BN gets the Indian votes in the coming general election.

Legitimate grievances

In return, said the deputy premier, the government would do more for the community, which has long claimed to be sidelined by the government.

He admitted that there were legitimate aspirations and grievances among the Indian community which needed to be addressed.

For starters, Najib said the government would immediately take steps to increase the intake of Indians and non-bumiputeras in the civil service.

He said that the Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Sidek Hassan had been asked to ensure that the Indian candidates were not rejected.

"(Mohd Sidek has been asked) Make sure when they (Indians) apply (for jobs), don't just reject. Make sure the good ones are taken in. By doing that, it will increase employment opportunities for the Indians," he said.

Similarly more scholarship will be given to Indians pursuing their studies at the public universities. Deserving students will be sent to foreign universities and upon their return, they can join the civil service.

On the status of Tamil schools, Najib said that there was a need to consolidate under-enrolled Tamil schools.

"What is important is not the number of pupils, but the quality of education that we provide to ensure upward mobility for the community," he said.

Najib also touched on the issues of temple demolition, a sensitive issue among the members of the community.

Admitting that there were some hasty decision done by the government and local authorities in demolishing some Hindu temples, Najib said that the government would ensure relocation of temples was done orderly in the future.

He said the demolition of the Padang Jawa Temple in Klang in November last year, just a few days before Deepavali, should not be repeated.

"That was wrong on their part. We are sorry for that," he added.

Scrap dealers woes solved

Presently much have also been said about the high number of Malaysia-born Indian children without birth certificates.

Najib said that the issue was discussed in the cabinet and that these children should have access to education.

He also said that it was decided that village heads would be asked to verify the children's status.

"Children born in Malaysia have the right to education. We are a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children," he said.

On the business front, Najib said the government would also increase the micro-credit loans for Indian businessmen.

Similarly complaints made by Indian scrap dealers will also be looked into with the Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo being asked to ensure Indians engaged in the scrap metal trade in the state be allowed to continue with their business.

Previously the state government had said that it would stop issuing trading licenses for these traders, mostly Indians.

In recent months the Indian community’s anger has caused some anxiety in the government, fearing that the community would look the other way in the coming election. Much anger has also been directed towards MIC and its president S Samy Vellu.

hindraf crowd gandhi Hindraf capitalised on this anger in the grassroots by organising a street demonstration on Nov 25 which attracted almost 30,000 Indians. Since then the government has taken action against Hindraf, including detaining five of its leaders under the Internal Security Act.

At the special one-day conference today, Samy Vellu also listed seven grouses of the community which he said the government should immediately address.

Najib touched upon most of the grouses in his speech and promised action.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was also reported today admitting that the number of votes from Indians for the ruling party will likely drop in the coming polls. He said that the “votes will be affected somewhat” as a result of issues raised by Hindraf.