Parti Punjabi Malaysia wants direct representation to PMO

IPOH: Parti Punjabi Malaysia wants the community to have direct representation to the Prime Minister's office.
Its president, Datuk Gurjeet Singh said the request is similar to that of representatives from other political parties placed in the Prime Minister's Department.
"In this context we also want advisers to be appointed to Mentri Besars in states where there is a Sikh community to handle its issues and affairs.
"We also wish to have a representative in the Senate for our views to be heard at the federal level," he told reporters after attending the party's get together event with temple representatives here on Friday night.
The main issues faced by the community are job opportunities in the civil service, increases in university intake and financial aid to temples and NGOs.
He said under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, the community has enjoyed a lot of perks including allocations for Punjabi classes and financial aid to temples.
"We hope the incentives and aid will continue for the benefit of the community," he added.
He also noted that Perak, with 42 Sikh temples, is the state with the highest number of places of worship for the community.
"Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir has been very supportive of the community and allocated a total of RM84,000 to all the 42 temples in the state this year.
"Previously only between 10 and 15 temples would receive the aid," he added.
The cheques of RM2,000 each for the temples were presented on Friday night.