Upskill 1,000 Indian youths, cut dropout rates, urges Santiago

Former Klang MP Charles Santiago has called for a Cabinet committee on Indian affairs chaired by the prime minister to upskill 1,000 Indian youths and reduce the school dropout rate within the community. Santiago proposed that the government should identify candidates through schools, open applications, and NGOs, and provide training in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) with a focus on cybersecurity and digital occupations.

The government should also develop specific efforts to prevent Indian students from dropping out of school, particularly those who did not pursue further education after SPM, by offering them opportunities to develop practical, industry-relevant skills through TVET and other vocational programmes. Santiago cautioned against framing the issue as solely a "gangsterism" problem among Indians, stating that this could unfairly stigmatize the community.

He urged the government to establish a Cabinet committee on Indian affairs chaired by the prime minister, with the immediate focus on expanding skills training and addressing school dropouts.