Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email perhaps the statistics should be separated to show malays, other bumiputras, chinese, indian, others, and foreigners.
the term bumiputra and malays are at times freely interchanged to suit certain needs and can cause misrepresentation.
Govt study shows Indians earning more
THE average household income for the Indian community in 2004 stood at RM3,456 a month.
In contrast, Bumiputeras only had a monthly average household income of RM2,711, while Chinese RM4,437. "This is a five per cent improvement from 1999, where the monthly average household income for Indians was RM2,702," said Rural and Regional Development Deputy Minister Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman.
In his reply to a supplementary question from Datuk Dr Wan Hashim Wan Teh (BN-Gerik), he said the Hindu Rights Action Front's (Hindraf) claims that the Indians were poor and marginalised in Malaysia were false. Wan Hashim had wanted to know the status of the Indian community to ascertain whether there was any truth to Hindraf's claims of marginalisation.
"Millions of our citizens live comfortably compared to those in Tamil Nadu. In BN's opinion, there is no need for Hindraf to meet the prime minister. Go through the MIC."
Zainal Abidin explained further that in 2004, Indians only registered a poverty rate of 2.9 per cent compared with Bumiputeras at 8.3 per cent, the highest in the country. Poverty rate for the Chinese stood at 0.6 per cent. "The number actually showed an improvement because in 1999, the Indian community's poverty rate was at 3.5 per cent." He reminded everyone to base their statements on facts and figures, and not allow false stories to affect the wellbeing of all Malaysians.
Earlier, Zainal Abidin told Wan Hashim that the government aimed to reduce the poverty rate from 5.7 per cent in 2004 to 2.85 per cent by 2010, and fully eradicate hardcore poverty by 2010. "Specifically for rural areas, the government aims to reduce poverty from 11.9 per cent to 5.95 per cent by 2010, and at the same time, fully eradicate hardcore poverty," he said.
| Deputy minister: Indians better off than Malays http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/75602 |
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There is lower poverty among the Indians compared to the Malays and the former also enjoy higher household incomes, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
According to Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Zainal Abidin Osman (BN-Nibong Tebal), the monthly household income for Indians in 2004 was RM3,456, while it was RM2,711 for Malay households and RM4,437 for Chinese. He said this was a five percent improvement for the Indians compared to 1999 when their household income was RM2,702. He said the poverty rate and hardcore poverty in 2004 among Indians was at 2.9 percent, 8.3 percent among Malays and 0.6 percent among the Chinese. This was also an improvement for the Indians from 1999, where the rate was 3.5 percent. "Because of this, we must hold on to the true facts and figures and not allow emotions and tall tales to influence the people," he said. Explain to Hindraf "Let's explain this issue to (Hindu Rights Action Force) Hindraf in this august House where the ethnic Indians are situated… and the number of professionals (among Indians), isn't their percentage high in comparison with other groups?" asked Wan Hashim. "Millions are living comfortably (in Malaysia). It is as if they are in Nirvana compared to the circumstances in Tamil Nadu."
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