Samy: Here's what we have done
Published: Mar 2, 2008 3:47 PM | Updated: Mar 2, 2008 4:10 PM
MIC president S Samy Vellu today revealed statistic on the financial and other assistance provided by the government to help the Indian community in a bid to counter allegations by the opposition.
MIC president S Samy Vellu today revealed statistic on the financial and other assistance provided by the government to help the Indian community in a bid to counter allegations by the opposition.
He said the government had provided a grant of RM300 million over the last few years to build the MIC-run Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology (AIMST) University in Kedah.
He said almost RM100 million was allocated under the Ninth Malaysia Plan to assist in the rebuilding of fully-aided and partially-aided Tamil schools of which RM30 million were approved recently.
“The government also gave us an initial grant of RM8 million to build the TAFE College in Seremban which has to-date produced 44,000 para-professionals,” he said when asked on the allegations by the opposition that the government did nothing or little to help the Indian community.
He was talking to reporters at a press conference held at the Convention Hall in Sungai Siput, a parliamentary seat which Samy Vellu hopes to retain on March 8.
The opposition, he said, has spread “lies after lies” to win elections.
“They (the opposition) tell the people that this Barisan government does not help the Indians. They are the greatest liars. Today, I want to tell the truth,” he said.
Samy Vellu said that the federal government also allocated RM1 million annually for temples, apart from providing lands.
“For the first time, Indian students were allowed into Giat Mara centres to pursue their education,” he said, adding that over 1,000 Indians had benefitted from this move.
He said the government also provided places for high achieving Indian youths at Mara Junior Science Colleges (MRSM).
“These institutions were traditionally accessible to only bumiputera youths. However, through the effort of MIC, Indian youths have begun to access these resources now,” he added.
Micro loan fund
Samy Vellu also said Indian youths received a special allocations of RM4 million through the Economic Planning Unit in 2007 of which RM1 million was allocated to 200 Indians from the urban poor families who could not secure a place in an existing skills training.
The remaining RM3 million has been established as a revolving micro-loan fund with Yayasan Tekun, he said.
He said government also allocated RM5.4 million to the MIC-run Social Strategic Foundation to undertake social programmes between 2004 and 2008.
Under the 2008 budget, the Finance Ministry allocated RM3 million for micro-loans of RM3,000 each through Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia for 1,000 Indians who are undertaking or interested to undertake micro businesses.
He added that the government has also allocated RM5 million to enable 1,000 Indians youths who have failed their PMR or SPM to enroll themselves in a skills training course, plus residential facilities and pocket allowance through Giat Mara, INPENS International College, Pulau Indah and other state run skills training institutions.
“I want to ask opposition. Tell me what are your plans for the Indians and what have you done for them.
“All they (the opposition) are interested is to attack and belittle the Barisan government. They have no plans to help the Indians,” he added.
He said the government had provided a grant of RM300 million over the last few years to build the MIC-run Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology (AIMST) University in Kedah.He said almost RM100 million was allocated under the Ninth Malaysia Plan to assist in the rebuilding of fully-aided and partially-aided Tamil schools of which RM30 million were approved recently.
“The government also gave us an initial grant of RM8 million to build the TAFE College in Seremban which has to-date produced 44,000 para-professionals,” he said when asked on the allegations by the opposition that the government did nothing or little to help the Indian community.
He was talking to reporters at a press conference held at the Convention Hall in Sungai Siput, a parliamentary seat which Samy Vellu hopes to retain on March 8.
The opposition, he said, has spread “lies after lies” to win elections.
“They (the opposition) tell the people that this Barisan government does not help the Indians. They are the greatest liars. Today, I want to tell the truth,” he said.
Samy Vellu said that the federal government also allocated RM1 million annually for temples, apart from providing lands.
“For the first time, Indian students were allowed into Giat Mara centres to pursue their education,” he said, adding that over 1,000 Indians had benefitted from this move.
He said the government also provided places for high achieving Indian youths at Mara Junior Science Colleges (MRSM).
“These institutions were traditionally accessible to only bumiputera youths. However, through the effort of MIC, Indian youths have begun to access these resources now,” he added.
Micro loan fund
Samy Vellu also said Indian youths received a special allocations of RM4 million through the Economic Planning Unit in 2007 of which RM1 million was allocated to 200 Indians from the urban poor families who could not secure a place in an existing skills training.The remaining RM3 million has been established as a revolving micro-loan fund with Yayasan Tekun, he said.
He said government also allocated RM5.4 million to the MIC-run Social Strategic Foundation to undertake social programmes between 2004 and 2008.
Under the 2008 budget, the Finance Ministry allocated RM3 million for micro-loans of RM3,000 each through Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia for 1,000 Indians who are undertaking or interested to undertake micro businesses.
He added that the government has also allocated RM5 million to enable 1,000 Indians youths who have failed their PMR or SPM to enroll themselves in a skills training course, plus residential facilities and pocket allowance through Giat Mara, INPENS International College, Pulau Indah and other state run skills training institutions.
“I want to ask opposition. Tell me what are your plans for the Indians and what have you done for them.
“All they (the opposition) are interested is to attack and belittle the Barisan government. They have no plans to help the Indians,” he added.
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