Anwar urges Indian community leaders to avoid extreme sentiments

KLANG: Indian community leaders should avoid extreme sentiments as it would not be beneficial in any way, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

"This is not a government which merely speaks without implementation," said Anwar at the state-level Ponggal celebrations at Padang Chetty on Saturday (Jan 20).

He added the government received many demands from every community in the country.

"We have to uphold the Madani spirit by being fair to all.

"And when I say this, it is not easy because there are some amongst my friends who are from my race who attack us," said Anwar.

He added the detractors allege that he was not fair to them and only gave in to the other races.

"But I don't want to reply. I don't want to care," said Anwar.

He added that his government strove to address and counter the problems all communities face equally.

Anwar also said issues faced by the Indian community, such as poverty, were not a communal problem but rather a national problem.

"Every single poor Indian is my problem.

"It is not an Indian problem. It is a national problem," said Anwar, adding the government is trying very hard to solve these problems.

According to Anwar, not many countries worldwide enjoy unity and peace among people of different races and religions, like Malaysia.

Hence, it was important for this unity and peace to be preserved for the nation to progress.

The event was also attended by Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, among others.