KUALA LUMPUR: The government remains committed to addressing issues affecting the Indian community in Malaysia, particularly those related to education and welfare, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said this included supporting the development of Tamil schools, promoting the Tamil language and improving the well-being of low-income Indians living in urban areas and estates.
Anwar said the government acknowledged that more needed to be done to effectively address the needs of the Indian community, particularly in education.
"We must also work to address and resolve issues involving Hindu temples, Indian traders and poor Indians living in urban areas and estates," he said at the national-level Deepavali 2026 celebration in Little India, Brickfields here on Saturday (Nov 14).
The celebration, organised by the National Unity Ministry in collaboration with the Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, was also attended by National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil, Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh.
Meanwhile, Anwar said that the government's approach was to ensure welfare assistance was distributed based on people's actual needs.
He also urged Malaysians to uphold the spirit of togetherness, mutual respect and appreciation for the country's religious, cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity.
"Despite our differences, we respect and value one another. That is how Malaysia must remain united and prosper as a nation," he said. – Bernama
