A group of Indian lawmakers from Pakatan Harapan have proposed that the Socioeconomic Development of Indian Community Unit of the Prime Minister's Department (Sedic) be retained, as part of the government's commitment to the community promised in its election manifesto.

However, Klang MP Charles Santiago said the department must first go through a comprehensive audit process and a rebranding before it continues its work.

"There is a variety of viewpoints on Sedic, but our proposal is that it should remain as a government institution, but it has to rebranded," he told a joint press conference with some 20 Harapan Indian representatives in Subang Jaya today.

Santiago said the restructuring fof Sedic was one of seven main topics discussed during the group's meeting earlier today on the implementation of Harapan's 25 commitments to the Indian community.

When met later, he stated that the process should involve both a forensic audit on Sedic's finances as well as a re-evaluation of its current personnel.

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More than just a check of its accounts, Santiago (photo) explained that the detailed audit would reveal whether intended beneficiaries of funds allocated through Sedic actually received any money.

"We need to see the status of the money spent, and whether the money really goes to the targeted groups," he said.

Santiago also pointed out that there are some 80 people employed by the unit, with the contracts of almost half to be terminated next month. 

"Through a human resources auditing, we will get a sense of whether to continue their contracts, or to move them to another department," he explained.

Sedic was set up as the implementer for the Malaysian Indian Blueprint, which was launched by former premier Najib Abdul Razak in April last year.

Eight-member committee set up

At the press conference, Sungai Buloh MP Sivarasa Rasiah announced that the group had set up an eight-member committee comprising himself, Santiago and six other elected representatives to present their proposals to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Mahathir also chairs the cabinet committee on implementation of Harapan's manifesto.

"This committee will also engage with relevant NGOs and groups," he said.

Sivarasa also pointed out that the meeting of Harapan lawmakers today is part of an ongoing process to assist the government in delivering on promises made to the Indian community.