UNITED WE STAND: Najib (fifth right) and Palanivel (fifth left) raise hands with others during the opening of the 66th MIC General Assembly. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak urged the Indian community to return as Barisan Nasional’s (BN) ‘fixed deposit’ in order to determine a big victory for the party in the upcoming 13th General Election.
He said this was critical as BN was the only party which could ensure the future of this community through various education and economic programmes, both in progress and proposed.
Najib advised the Indians who were influenced by the opposition’s empty promises during the last general elections to support BN again.
It has been proven that these parties have failed to keep their word, in instances such as the Kampung Buah Pala issue in Penang and the recent destruction of an altar within the compound of a house in Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi Sepang, he added.
He said the community’s move to the other side during the last general election was not due to wanting opposition rule but more as a result of dissatisfaction in wanting BN to change and be more alert to their needs and aspirations.
“And as a result, BN has paid a big ‘interest’ during the past four years through various programmes to help the Indian community. It’s apparent now, as wherever I go the Indians
receive me with a fantastic welcome
“This proves that the Indians have regained their trust or ‘nambikei’ in the government. They are confident that their future is more assured with us (BN),” said the prime minister in his opening speech at the 66th MIC General Assembly, at the Putra World Trade Centre, here yesterday.
Also present were MIC president Datuk Seri G Palanivel; former MIC president and Malaysia’s Special Envoy (Infrastructure) to India and South Asia, Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu; Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor; Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon; Peoples Progressive Party president Datuk M Kayveas and Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang.
Najib said since the last general election, a great deal of development and changes based on the ‘people first performance now’ concept had been implemented by the government, with nearly all the previous manifesto promises fulfilled.
“We’ve done a great deal, including the RM540 million allocation to schools, Tekun (Entrepreneur Group Economic Fund), Amanah Ikhtiar and small medium enterprise loans, and programmes for Indian students to enter polytechnics.
“The Indian community is BN’s true partner and we assure that everyone will be taken care of. There is trust. We must unite if we want to win big and support any selected candidate,” he concluded. — Bernama