THERE is a growing sentiment amongst the Indian community about PMX not appointing a Tamil-speaking Cabinet minister in his latest reshuffle earlier this week.
This has irked some Indian NGOs, Indian-based political parties and certain Indian business groups.
I feel it shouldn't matter regardless of whether there is a Tamil-speaking minister or not in Cabinet.
The government's affirmative economic policies should and shall benefit all Malaysians regardless of race, religion and background.
It made no difference to the Indian community when it had three Tamil-speaking Cabinet ministers and one Tamil-speaking deputy minister in 2018 for 22 months.
No significant transformation and socioeconomic upliftment of the community was sighted and seen in that period.
The Indian community benefited the most during Datuk Seri Najib Razak's tenure as Prime Minister.
Najib, at the time, emphasised that the Indian community benefited from the mainstream economic agenda and created history by formulating a Malaysian Indian Blueprint (MIB1.0).
That signified the political willingness of the prime minister and the government then to facilitate, upscale and uplift the Indian community socioeconomically.
How can we expect one Indian Tamil-speaking minister to represent our community in Cabinet to raise all Indian issues pertaining to education as well as economic and social, among others.
Would he have the capacity or knowledge to cover all areas for the Indian community of more than two million people? How about his own ministerial portfolio duties then?
It is the responsibility of the government of the day and its policies to ensure the whole community benefits from the mainstream economic agenda
Respective NGOs and chambers of industry and commerce should be the one addressing and engaging the government on these issues and propose recommended solutions.
The respective NGOs and chambers were formed with an objective to address these issues depending on whether it is educational, social or economic.
Only a handful of Indian NGOs are engaging the government on community issues.
Why are we dependant on or fighting for a sole Tamil-speaking minister?
We have rarely had good to exceptional Indian leaders who were overlooked to be ministers such as Charles Santiago, Ganabathi Rao or Sivaraaj Chandran.
NIVAS RAGAVAN
President, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KLSICCI)
