MIC will ensure that the various programmes, plans and allocations under the government’s stimulus package reach the Indian community, said MIC president S Samy Vellu today.

According to Bernama , he said the MIC economic bureau would be tasked with ensuring that the economic package announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Najib Abdul Razak yesterday benefitted the entire section of the Indian community.

samy vellu exclusive on tamil schools 080708 05 "We will also coordinate its implementation through the special cabinet committee on Indian Affairs chaired by the deputy prime minister," he added.

The MIC president also called for a speedier implementation of the various programmes and plans by the government agencies.

He said the party would concentrate more on the economic agenda with priorities on seeking business loans for young Indian entrepreneurs, especially in the small and medium scale enterprises and industries.

He also thanked the government for allocating an additional RM50 million for Tamil schools and added that the MIC had identified the schools concerned.

The elimination of import duties on cement and long iron and steel products for the construction sector would reduce the cost of reconstructing the Tamil schools, he added.

He also said the MIC Youth and Putera wings would be asked to play a vital role in the RM100 million allocation to strengthen the youth through programmes like the Rakan Muda, involving the youth in estates.

Unity talks

In another development, the Indian Progressive Front (IPF) today proposed that MIC hold a special forum as part of "unity talks" among the various Indian-based political parties and groups.

IPF deputy president V Senggutuan said his party was ready to participate in such talks to bring together the now fragmented Indian community to put up a united front in tackling issues faced by the community in this country.

"The IPF is ready to participate in the forum for the good of the community. However, the unity talks do not mean that all the parties and groups have to merge but rather, to collectively discuss how they could alleviate the problems faced by the Indians.

"MIC can then take up the proposals and recommendations discussed at the forum to the cabinet through the sole Indian representative, Dr S. Subramaniam, who is the human resources minister and MIC secretary-general," he told Bernama .

The IPF is a splinter of MIC set up by former MIC vice-president, the late M G Pandithan, after he was sacked from the MIC in 1988.

Prior to his death last year, Pandithan had resolved his differences with Samy Vellu.

The problems faced by the Indian community were thrust into the limelight following last November’s mammoth rally organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).

In the March 8 polls, the community - which is often regarded as a staunch supporter of Barisan Nasional - had turned its back on the ruling coalition and voted for the opposition.

MIC was also crushed in the elections which also witnessed Samy Vellu being ousted from his Sungai Siput parliamentary stronghold which he controlled for three decades.

Meanwhile, Senggutuan said since the idea of uniting the Indians was mooted by Samy Vellu and MIC is the main political party representing Indians, it was only appropriate that the party took the lead.

He said IPF felt that Samy Vellu had proven his ability by uniting MIC and believed that he could do the same with the Indian community.

He also called on all parties, irrespective of their political difference and views, to support the unity talks.