KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 — The 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) handouts are genuinely for those in need, said Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI) President Tan Sri K. Kenneth Eswaran.
“There is nothing wrong with the financial aid given by the government. In fact, for each community there exists the bottom 40 per cent (B40) group of households,” he told a press conference here today.
Meanwhile, commenting on the participation of the Indian community in major projects, Kenneth said the number had been declining over time.
“In 1958, the economic equity of the Indian community was around 28 per cent. Now, the number is a meagre 1.8 per cent.
“Furthermore, Indians used to form 28 per cent of the total population and currently, it has shrunk to seven per cent,” he added.
Kenneth also said 37 per cent of Indians used to own land and properties, but the number has fallen significantly to only one per cent.
Meanwhile, commenting on the 14th General Election taking place in two days, he said MAICCI is giving its full support to the leadership of Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
“The prime minister has personally chaired the Cabinet Committee for Indian Affairs, which approved over 5,000 Indian scrap metal licences renewal upon MAICCI’s request during a dialogue session in 2008,” said Kenneth.
He also said that RM1.44 billion had been allocated for Indian entrepreneurs under the Tekun Nasional-Indian Community Entrepreneur Development Scheme which benefited 31,000 Indian entrepreneurs.
“RM100 million set aside under the Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia micro-credit programme, benefitted 10,019 women entrepreneurs.
“Over the years, the prime minister has been sincere in his efforts at uplifting the Indian community and this is evident with the recent launch of the Malaysian Indian Blueprint in April last year,” he added. — Bernama
