Like other marginalised communities, Indian Malaysians do not want to be bullied anymore and aspire to live with dignity, said DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

"However, this can only be achieved through a non-ethnic approach based on needs which do not deprive or deny the rights of any other community," he added.

In view of this, Lim said DAP would deal with Indian issues through a Malaysian perspective and not the other way around.

He added that DAP must not address the community's issues through a race perspective as that would make it just like BN's strategy of divide and rule.

The Penang chief minister was speaking at the Gelang Patah forum at Wisma DAP in Penang today.

The event was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister P Ramasamy and Negera-Ku leader Ambiga Sreenevasan.

Lim said the Gelang Patah declaration - a 14 point vision and strategy to empower the Indian community launched in the constituency during the 13th general election - has been implemented in Penang.

He then related a host of measures taken in Penang to uplift the status of Indians:

  • Historical appointment of first Indian deputy chief minister (Ramasamy);

 

  • Appointment of two Indian state executive members;

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  • A fully operational Hindu Endowment Board with its own building for the first time;

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  • Land for proposed first Tamil secondary school in the country;

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  • Fixed annual allocations and for Tamil schools;

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  • kindergartens, and no forcible demolition of old Hindu temples;

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  • Increase access to government employment - appointment of first female Indian as Penang legislative assembly secretary; and,

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  • According proper respect to Indian festivals and giving dignity to Indians;
    • The declaration was launched by Lim's father, Kit Siang, who was the then candidate for Gelang Patah.

    It was a response to Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia throwing their support behind Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.