KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 (Bernama) -- MIC secretary-general S. Murugesan today
cited three factors why more than 65 per cent of the Indian community have now
regained confidence in the capability of the Barisan Nasional (BN) to lead the
government.
He said the three factors had opened the eyes of the Indians that the BN-led
government had put in much efforts to look after their welfare.
Firstly, Murugesan said that the Indian community had seen for themselves
the approach adopted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as a leader
who was prepared to listen to the woes of the people and was willing to go down
to look at the condition on the ground and had never lost focus on efforts to
resolve their problems.
He said the Prime Minister had rendered much help to resolve the various
long-standing problems of the community such as those involving
self-identification documents, education and job opportunities in the government
sector.
"The second factor is that the Indian community has seen various changes and
reforms under the leadership of MIC president Datuk G. Palanivel to woo back the
support of the community who had previously been loyal supporters of the BN,"
said Murugesan after presenting a cheque worth RM25,000 from the Implementation
Coordination Unit (ICU), Prime Minister''s Department to Headmaster Alemah Mohd
Hanipah, a representative of the Parent-Teacher''s Association of SJK (T) RRI at
Sungai Buloh, here.
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MURUGESAN-INDIANS 2 (LAST) KUALA LUMPUR
The aid would be utilised to repair the 75-year-old school which was damaged
due to heavy rain.
Murugesan said the people felt that they had been deceived and were
disappointed with the opposition that had failed to fulfill their promises and
the third factor was that the Indian community was now more convinced that Najib
and the BN could bring changes that could ensure a better future for the people.
On the chances of the MIC winning back the ''hot seats'' in Selangor,
Murugesan said: "We (MIC) give full attention to four Parliamentary seats (Hulu
Selangor, Kapar, Kota Raja and Subang) and three state constituency seats (Ijok,
Andalas and Batu Caves) and are confident that the support of the Indian
community is better than in 2008."
Besides the four parliamentary seats, the MIC was also focusing on the
parliamentary constituencies in Teluk Kemang, Cameron Highlands, Tapah, Sungai
Siput and Segamat, he said.
In the 12th general election, the MIC lost in six parliamentary seats and 12
state seats it contested but managed to win back the Hulu Selangor parliamentary
seat in the by-election in 2009.
"The bitter experience and the unexpected result in the 12th general
election has reminded the MIC that what had been carried out all this while was
not enough. Thus, much more changes need to be made to improve the welfare and
future of the Indian community to win their support," said Murugesan.
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