May 04, 2013, Bernama

KLANG, May 4 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday urged the Indian community to give him a strong mandate in the upcoming 13th general election (GE13) on Sunday. 

He said a vote for the Barisan Nasional (BN) by the Indian community will ensure their interests would continue to be looked after by the ruling coalition. 

“I am making a personal appeal to the Indian community to give me a strong mandate, support BN and have nambikei (faith) in me. 

“A vote for the BN team is a vote for me and vote for me is the vision for the Indian community and for the country. 

“You have faith in me, you have ‘nambikei’ in me, give me a strong mandate, I will deliver for the Indian community and the country,” Najib (picture) said before more than 20,000 people when officiating the Indian Entrepreneur Carnival organised by Malaysian Associated Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI) at Padang Chetty here last night. 

Najib said since he became prime minister, he had introduced many initiatives to uplift the socio-economic status of the Indian community in the country.

He reminded the Indian community to reject Pakatan Rakyat (PR) as it had failed to have any specific agenda for the development of the Indian community, which is the third largest community in the country. 

“Since 2009, which party has contributed a lot for the Indian community, BN or PR? Which one has approved large allocations to increase their income, provide additional school needs, financial aid, resolve problems on citizenship and provide allocations for temples?

“In who does the Indian community have ‘nambikei’ for a better life for the next five years? Najib or Anwar?,” he asked, which was received with shouts of “Najib” and “BN” from the crowd.

Najib said the response shown by the Indian community last night reflected their confidence in his leadership and BN.

“I have promised that I will assist the Indian community in business, as was raised during my meeting with MAICCI at my office and I have instructed Tekun to provide the needed allocations to help the Indian community,” he added.

He said that since 2008 until May 1 this year, more than RM105 milion had been allocated by Tekun Nasional to assist 8,565 Indian entrepreneurs.

“Of the total, RM41 million was approved for Indian entrepreneurs in Selangor,” he added.

Najib also said he would ascertain that 1,500 places for matriculation be allotted for Indian students.

Meanwhile, MAICCI president Datuk K.K. Eswaran called on the Indian community to ensure a big win for BN on Sunday. — Bernama