The letter “An Indian dilemma” by Kanna Chennasamy (theSun, Feb 25), is well written. What I don’t understand is why the Barisan Nasional (BN) government does not implement policies equitably across all racial lines. Why should the MIC fight for something that is the right of all Malaysians, like the low intake of Indians in universities? Aren’t Indians citizens and tax payers?

If the BN government truly implements the New Economic Policy, then the grouses of the Indians will vanish. Instead of focussing on creating a few millionaires in one community, the government should be focused on ensuring that all communities are involved in poverty eradication programmes like Felda schemes, franchising, credit facilities for the small and medium-scale enterprises, etc. These programs are skewed towards one community and some programmes are restricted to one community, like Tekun.

Until and unless the BN steers away from communal politics, organisations like the Hindu Rights Action Force will continue to sprout.

I also do not agree with Kanna that “it will be the end” for Indians, if there is equitable distribution of opportunities among all races. This is a fallacy. I am sure that the Indians are capable and ready to take on the challenge if given the opportunities to participate in all programmes of the government. Agencies like the Multimedia Development Corporation should be revamped so that the programmes of the government are accessible to all, irrespective of race.

Mahandra Rao
Johor Baru

Source: The Sun – February 26, 2008