It's time for the Penang government to turn words into action by carrying out pro-active business policies to increase the Indian business equity ownership in the state to three percent as outlined by the Third Outline Prospective Plan (OPP3).

"Over the years, many forums have been organised to discuss, deliberate and analyse ways and means to increase Indian equity.

"However, until today, the state government has failed to implement any pro-active policy to achieve this," said Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries (Maicci), Penang branch chairperson N Ramanathan.

He said the state government should explore all ways and means to boost the business participation and equity share of Indians in the state.

For instance, he suggested the state government include Indian businesspeople in the decision-making and planning process of the state economic policies.

He hinted that the Gerakan-led state government had long left out Indian entrepreneurs, especially the chambers, in drafting and implementing business policies.

"It's imperative for the state government to include representatives from the chambers and other similar Indian business organisations in decision-making to safeguard Indian business interests," said Ramanathan.

Paradigm shift

He added that the state government cannot ignore the paradigm shift among the Indian business community in Penang when implementing business policies.

Over the years, the younger generation are taking over family businesses and transforming them into bigger companies.

Indian businesspeople are no longer confined to certain types of businesses, such as textile, spices and import and export merchants, mostly located in the Little India area in George Town.

They have diverted and ventured into virtually all fields and sectors, especially in modern industrial training, sub-contracts of semi-conductors from multinational companies, manufacturing, automobile, engineering depots, construction, housing, consumer and household products, and information technology.

Due to their rapid growth, Ramanathan acknowledged that the chambers faced tremendous pressure to provide new avenue of services to younger Indian businesspeople.

These new breed of Indian businesspeople have acquired vast knowledge in business and related sectors, and are eager to surge ahead.

Ramanathan said the state government would have to comprehend this fact and initiate pro-active steps to include Indian businesspeople in policy-making.

"Their inclusion would give an insight into Indian business culture and needs. The state government will have to create more opportunities and provide effective helping hand for Indian businessmen to prosper and bolster greater economic growth in Penang," he added.

ATHI VEERANGGAN is malaysiakini 's Penang-based stringer.