Indian NGOs urge BERSAMA to put Indian community agenda on political radar

A coalition of 19 Malaysian Indian NGOs has urged BERSAMA to prioritize the socio-economic development of the Indian community on its political agenda. Representing about 6.5% of the population, Indian Indians remain an important constituency but their political influence should not be taken for granted. Issues such as poverty, discrimination, school dropouts, weak population growth, and widening socio-economic gaps have reached a critical point where piecemeal measures are inadequate.

BERSAMA, as a new political force, should look beyond election cycles and integrate the Indian agenda into a broader program for socio-economic development. Among the proposed solutions are the creation of a statutory body dedicated to Indian affairs, a dedicated funding vehicle, and the reinstatement of the Cabinet Committee on Indian Affairs.

These proposals aim to coordinate long-term development efforts and ensure better collaboration between government agencies, businesses, civil society, and community organizations. The Indian NGOs welcomed the engagement with BERSAMA and expressed hope that the proposals would be considered as part of the movement's broader national agenda.