Be vigilant against divisive groups: Malay PM tells ethnic Indians

“Instead,we have to use rational approaches when addressing any issues. If we can do this,this country can be managed well,” Najib said at the function which was attended by over 12,000 Indians from the Tamil,Telegu,Malayalee and Sikh communities.

Ethnic Indian community forms eight per cent of the Malaysia’s 28 million population. Majority Malays forms 60 per cent and ethnic Chinese constitute 25 per cent.

Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor joined the celebrations at the Mines Convention Centre which was also telecast on TV channels.

Tamil and Sikh communities celebrated Puthandu and Vaisakhi respectively,while the Malayalee community celebrated Vishu and the Telegu Ugadhi.

Najib said his ruling coalition of Barisan Nasional government had a tough task ahead to make sure the dreams of 28 million people could be achieved.

“The government has taken an approach to understand the problem,the aspirations and dreams of each community. Since we formed the Cabinet Committee for the Indian community,many issues have been solved,” he said,adding the current administration went to the ground to tackle the Indian communities’ issues instead of waiting for the communities to come to the government.

Among the issues affecting the Indians include not having birth certificates,identification cards,unemployment and placement in universities.

“These problems must be solved so that the Indians will feel BN is fighting for their rights,” said Najib.

He was also upbeat with the launching of local cable provider Astro’s special community news bulletin for the Indians last night.

He said such news bulletins will help the community to know programmes launched by the government for them.

The prime minister also urged Malaysians to appreciate the richness of the Indian culture,and stressed the importance of empathy towards one another.

“To make 1Malaysia a success,we must put ourselves in others’ shoes so that we can understand where they are coming from. In that way,many issues can be settled amicably,creating a win-win situation for all parties involved.”

The idea to hold a large scale celebration last night was mooted by the president of the country’s largest ethnic Indian based political party Malaysian Indian Congress.

Singers Neha Bhasin and Naresh Iyer,and dancers Ragasia and Meghna Naidu kept the cheering crowd entertained.