Najib: Only BN can take minority groups to higher level


Najib at the Telugu New Year open house at Dataran Merdeka
KUALA LUMPUR: Only the Barisan Nasional government is capable of taking all ethnic groups, including the minority, to a higher level by providing the platforms that suit their requirements, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

The Prime Minister said through government assistance, the lives of all strata of society had improved especially in terms of their socio-economy to the extent that the minority group had received due recognition and respect, including the Telugu ethnic group.

"The opposition can say all kinds of things but only the BN-led government can change the wellbeing of the Telugu ethnic group and the Indian community generally.

"Continue to give your trust to the government, then we will continue to bring the whole Indian community to a higher level, we will continue this endeavour," he said in his speech at the Ugadi (Telegu New Year) open house at Dataran Merdeka.

The Telugu community is the second largest Indian ethnic group in the country after the Tamil community. There are about 300,000 ethnic Telugus in Malaysia who were originally from Andhra Pradesh, India.

The celebration was organised by the Telugu Association of Malaysia (TAM) and attended by about 5,000 members of the community.

Najib said the Ugadi celebration demonstrated the appropriate recognition given by the government for every culture practised by any ethnic group in the country.

In a related development, Najib said the government would give its full support for the activities of the Telegu ethnic group including financial support in expanding the Telugu Academy which was founded in 2010.

Previously, he said, the government had contributed RM3mil for the benefit of 3,500 Telugu students in mastering the Telugu dialect, which is their mother tongue, and studying the culture.

A new building for the Telugu Academy would be built in Hulu Selangor which was scheduled for full completion next year. - Bernama

Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 11.12/month

Billed as RM 11.12 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 9.87/month

Billed as RM 118.40 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Nation

Johor polls result will not disrupt federal unity government, says Zahid
(Podcast) Poll position: The frenemy paradox: politics in the age of strategic convenience
MACC warns public against fake social media postings misusing its name
Immigration Dept benches 11 officers nabbed by MACC over corruption
MACC freeze RM1.1mil, seize RM2.5mil in assets in crackdown on syndicate involving enforcement personnel
Immigration Dept detained 36,900 illegal immigrants in first six months of 2026
Youths have the power to decide their future through ballot box, says PM
Voters urged to head to polls early for 16th Johor election, says EC secretary
Claim that govt resolved UEC issue outright false, says Chong
Private college employee claims trial to sexual assault charges against two teens

Others Also Read