The Indian community from various groups needs to unify its voice to transform into a progressive community based on educational improvement and economic empowerment, says MIC president Dr S Subramaniam.

He said even though the Tamil group which represented 85 to 90 percent of the Indian community was more visible, the party would always support the other groups through continuous interaction.

"Politically, we are Indian. Eventually in our set-up, the political voice is very important, so for that to be strong, the unified visible Indian voice is very important.

"I hope the unified Indian voice can represent the Indian needs to the government so that we can transform the Indian community," Dr Subramaniam, who is also health minister, told reporters at a Vaisakhi festival celebration attended by 1,000 members of the Sikh community at Gurdwara Sahib Kajang today.

In conjunction with the celebration, he also launched the Gurdwara Sahib Kajang's new school building, which is used by the community to teach the Punjabi language to their younger generation.

Dr Subramaniam also announced his personal contribution of RM30,000 for the school.

There are about 90,000 Sikhs in Malaysia celebrating the Vaisakhi festival which marks the birth of the 'Khalsa', also known as the Harvest Festival. The festival falls on April 14.

April 14 also marks the new year for the Tamil and Malayali communities' which celebrate 'Chitirai Putthandu' and 'Vishu', respectively.

- Bernama