Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email Surprising that the pledge appeared on Tamil papers only. It covered temples, tamil schools, civil service jobs, help for low income groups, business opportunities, and education. Rather than issuing broad pledges, why not talk about something concrete. At least it can be used as KPI or report card. I love to see the pledge to include “convert 20 schools per year into fully-aided status”, establish special investment fund of RM1billion for the poor, provide housing discount for those earning below RM2k, create special committee for temple management, etc.
ELECTION 2008: ‘Places of worship will be protected’
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday pledged that places of worship for Indians will be protected and respected. Abdullah’s pledge came in the form of Barisan Nasional advertisements in all local Tamil dailies yesterday, prompting MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu to say that the move was an “added assurance” to the Indian community.
Samy Vellu said Abdullah’s assurance, coupled with the assurances from the state BN government leaders, will ensure continued development and existence of places of worship. Samy Vellu also welcomed Abdullah’s pledge that more efforts will be taken to recruit more Indians into the civil service.
This is just one of the numerous pledges Abdullah has made to improve the situation of the Indians in the country. Others included meeting the educational needs of Indian children, improving further the quality of teaching and facilities in Tamil schools, improving services and facilities for low-income and urban poor families and enhancing the business opportunities for the Indian community.
“The BN government is a caring government. It looks after the interest of all the communities,” said Samy Vellu, adding that pledges made by Abdullah will ensure the creation of more equitable opportunities for the Indians.
“These are not mere promises but decisions that will be implemented with the co-operation of MIC. MIC will ensure that these decisions are carried out according to the prime minister’s directive within the next five years and thereafter,” he said. Samy Vellu said that Abdullah’s pledge has reinforced what BN has been doing for the people for the past 50 years.
Samy lauds PM’s pledges for Indians
http://malaysiakini.com/news/79260
Mar 6, 08 2:26pm
MIC president S Samy Vellu today lauded the pledges made by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for the betterment of the Indian community.
The veteran politician said this proved that the Barisan Nasional (BN) government looked after the interests of all races in the country. He said the pledges would also create more equitable opportunities for Indians. “These are not mere promises but decisions that will be implemented with MIC’s co-operation. We will ensure these decisions are carried our according to the prime minister’s instructions in the next five years and thereafter,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama.
Samy was responding to the pledges made by Abdullah via advertisements placed in Tamil dailies today. Among others, the prime minister promised that places of worship would be respected and protected. This pledge, said Samy Vellu, had given an “added assurance” to the Indian community.
Civil service
The MIC president, who is also works minister, also welcomed Abdullah’s pledge to take in more Indians into the civil service. Other pledges include meeting educational needs of Indian children, further upgrading learning and teaching facilities in Tamil schools, increasing assistance for low-income and urban poor families and enhancing business opportunities for Indians. “The prime minister’s pledges have reinforced what BN has been doing for the people for the past 50 years,” said Samy Vellu.
MIC and its leaders have come under intense pressure since the Nov 25 rally organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) which drew some 30,000 disgruntled Indians to the street. As a result of this, BN is concerned that the community, once regarded as its true blue supporters, might turn their back on the ruling coalition in this elections.
