JOHOR BARU: The Johor government has been channelling funds to the Indian community via various initiatives including allocations for NGOs, temples and Tamil schools, says state MIC chief K. Raven Kumar.
"There is also special funding as well as interest-free loans for qualified entrepreneurs who want to run small businesses as part of BR Johor Niaga under the Johor Entrepreneur Corporation (PUJB)," he said at a meet-the-people session in Perling here.
Raven added that two Tamil schools with low student numbers would be transferred from Sembrong and Ladang Mados to Taman Universiti and Taman Pulai Utama respectively.
Raven, who is also state unity, heritage and culture committee chairman, said that the school in Sembrong only had nine students, while the one in Ladang Mados had 12.
"Many people have moved out from the estates to urban areas," he said, adding that the state government allocated a 2.4ha site for each new school, but funding for their construction would have to come from the Federal Government.
Raven stressed that each school could easily accommodate more than 500 students each, noting the high demand for a Tamil school in this area.
Also present at the event was former MCA president Tan Sri Dr Chua Soi Lek and Wanita MCA chief Datuk Wong You Fong.
In his speech, Dr Chua praised the Johor government, especially Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, for allocating RM20mil for Indian temples and NGOs over the last two years.
"They also provided assistance via the Rogayah Foundation totalling RM5.7mil to help the poor and needy, and also for students furthering their education in local institutions of higher leaning," he said.
Dr Chua, a former three-term Johor executive councillor, said that last year, the state government also gave out a total of 40,000 in food baskets to the Indian community in conjunction with Deepavali.
He added that since becoming Mentri Besar, Onn Hafiz has given 18 plots of land for temples in Johor.
"Other states are talking about temples being demolished but here, the state has been giving land for such places of worship," he said.
Dr Chua, a former health minister, also urged the Indian community not to believe DAP propaganda especially with the elections around the corner.
He stressed that as a former local leader, he agreed to help Onn Hafiz during the upcoming state elections to ensure Barisan Nasional’s victory in Johor.
Dr Chua said although there were no seats in Johor with an Indian majority, it was important for Barisan leaders from Umno and MCA to continue to engage with the community.
"There are many members of the community in Perling and that is why I am here to touch base and listen to their issues so that some of them can be channelled to the Mentri Besar," he said before taking questions from about 200 people present at the event.
Among the issues raised include ageing crematoriums, special sports venues for Indian youths, and more support and communication with Indian petty traders.
