The Special Implementation Task Force (SITF) set up by the government to resolve problems faced by the Indian community, today received almost 700 fresh cases, mostly related to citizenship and welfare aid.     

The latest cases indicated that many Indians who came to the SITF’s open day in Sepang today did not know how to access the government departments and agencies to file their complaints, said its chairman S Subramaniam.          

"Some were not able to fully understand the explanation given by the government officials, and hence, they bring up their problems to us (to the SITF)," the human resources minister said after attending the day-long 'One Malaysia People-Friendly' program jointly organised by the SITF and MIC in Sepang.      

The program which was attended by over 1,000 people, provided the Indian community with direct access to government departments and agencies, such as the National Registration Department, Social Welfare and Skills Development department, Social Security Organisation and Tekun Nasional.      

This is the third in a series of programmes launched by the SITF with the first held in Ijok, Selangor last Aug 15, and the second in Kulim, Kedah on Sept 25 where some 3,000 complaints were received.      

Subramaniam, who is also the MIC vice-president said he was aware that many of them who had their cases rejected, had submitted fresh applications through the SITF.      

"We will solve as many cases as possible. But, I must admit that not all the cases can be resolved as their cases may not meet the requirements," he said.      

He said the task force officials, together with the relevant agencies would make another visit there to have further discussions with the complainants and if necessary, visit their houses to resolve the problems.      

Subramaniam said Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak had initiated the idea of a task force early this year, to identify and resolve issues faced by the Indian community.      

On a question of allocating a ministerial post to MIC deputy president G Palanivel after he takes over the party presidency from S Samy Vellu in January next year, Subramaniam said the feeling within the party grassroots was that the MIC should be given an additional post in the Cabinet.      

"The MIC Youth had even issued a statement urging the government to consider giving two minister posts. We can take up the issue with Prime Minister," he said.      

- Bernama