SHAH ALAM - Former MIC youth chief Senator Datuk C. Sivarraajh believes this is a critical moment for leadership to step up and implement a comprehensive policy specifically designed for the Indian community.
He said that such a policy should go beyond political pandering and focus on tangible improvements in education, career development, support for single women, and social welfare.
"Political parties multiply yearly, but does the Indian community's progress reflect this?" Sivarraajh said in the Sana Sini podcast aired recently.
To this, Sivarraajh's co-host and political analyst Professor Datuk Dr P. Sivamurugan agreed that leadership is crucial in addressing the plight of minorities.
He acknowledged that protests and demands for fundamental rights are common among marginalised groups globally, but argued that strong leadership can significantly reduce these issues.
Sivarraajh cited former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's Malaysian Indian Blueprint as an example of a well-intentioned initiative that unfortunately fell by the wayside after a change in government.
"There is a need for sustained leadership commitment and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has acknowledged the challenges faced by Indians, especially in terms of poverty," he said.
Sivamurugan advocated revisiting and implementing existing documents and blueprints for the Indian community, urging leaders to execute, implement, and monitor progress continuously.
"Many have come up with various suggestions, but why not, for once and all, devise a proper policy for this community based not on merit but on quota?
"All sectors must follow the quota until you achieve the target where you can forget the need-based policy and transition to merit.
"Now is not the time for merit," Sivamurugan said.
In a related matter, Sivarraajh expressed reservations about the concept of People's Housing Projects (PPR), citing social problems associated with it.
He proposed revisiting the social security net for the Indian community, emphasising the need for collaborative efforts between agencies and the existing system.
"I would like to express my reservations about potential social challenges associated with concentrated living arrangements and call for exploring alternative housing solutions," Sivarraajh said.
Sivamurugan stressed the importance of collaboration between government agencies and delivery systems, stating that immediate action might be limited but sustained commitment and cooperation are crucial for achieving meaningful change.