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

Former Klang MP Charles Santiago has called for the government to establish a Cabinet committee on Indian affairs, chaired by the prime minister. He urged the administration to include plans in the 2027 budget to train up to 1,000 Indian youths and decrease the dropout rate in the community. Santiago proposed that the candidates for the program could be chosen through schools, open applications, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), with an emphasis on cybersecurity and digital jobs.

He advocated for the creation of specific initiatives to prevent Indian students from leaving school, also targeting a goal of 1,000 students. Santiago explained that the high dropout rate, especially among students who did not continue their education after the SPM, could be tackled by offering them opportunities to acquire practical skills through TVET and other vocational programs, which would provide them with alternative pathways to gain qualifications and find employment.

He cautioned against the misconception that the issue was solely about "gangsterism" among Indians, as this could unfairly stigmatize the community. Santiago emphasized that the government should establish the Cabinet committee on Indian affairs, chaired by the prime minister, to coordinate and accelerate policies impacting the Indian community.

The committee's primary focus should be on enhancing skills training and addressing school dropouts. In August, a coalition of 19 Indian NGOs, known as Gelombang Saksama, suggested setting up a dedicated statutory body, a public-private funding instrument, and a Cabinet committee to tackle the Indian community's socio-economic difficulties.

Santiago, who spoke for the coalition, emphasized that the Cabinet committee should be formed as soon as possible to lay the groundwork for establishing the funding vehicle and the dedicated statutory body.