Indian community needs lasting reforms, not just handouts, says group

The Association for Advocacy & Community Empowerment has called for lasting socioeconomic reforms for India’s community in Malaysia, rather than merely providing handouts, according to a statement by executive director K Gunasegaran. The group expressed concern that the government’s success should be measured by the number of Indians achieving financial independence, rather than the number of individuals receiving aid.

Gunasegaran emphasized that true success should be gauged by the number of Indians no longer needing assistance due to improved socioeconomic circumstances.

While welcoming the government’s recent allocations, such as RM150 million for entrepreneurial financing and RM50 million for Tamil schools, Gunasegaran stressed the need for ongoing efforts to enhance educational outcomes, job opportunities, and household incomes. He advocated for the formation of a Cabinet committee on Indian socioeconomic development, to be chaired by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, to ensure coordinated initiatives across various ministries.

Without such cohesive leadership, programmes risk becoming disjointed, with ministries pursuing disparate objectives without common goals, he argued.

Gunasegaran also proposed the creation of an independent statutory agency dedicated to Indian socioeconomic transformation. This agency would oversee development programmes, monitor progress, and measure improvements in key areas such as education, employment, and poverty reduction. He clarified that the community is not seeking perpetual handouts or special treatment at the expense of others.

Instead, the community seeks a fair and equitable opportunity to overcome historical socioeconomic disadvantages and actively contribute to the nation’s development and prosperity.