Ahmad Zahid Hamidi calls on the Unity Government to fully enact the 2017 Malaysian Indian Blueprint to tackle urban poverty, education and jobs
BUTTERWORTH: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged the Unity Government to fully implement the Malaysian Indian Blueprint launched in 2017.
He said the action plan is crucial for addressing pressing issues like urban poverty, education and employment within the community.
Ahmad Zahid gave this assurance while speaking at the Parti Makkal Sakti 17th Annual General Assembly here today.
He stated that Minister of Human Resources Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, who handles Indian community affairs, would engage with all communities nationwide to realise the plan.
“As the Barisan Nasional chairman, I strongly urge the Unity Government to fully implement this action plan,” he said.
He pledged to personally speak with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to secure necessary funding if allocations are insufficient.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, highlighted urban poverty as an increasingly urgent issue.
“Urban poverty today is more severe than rural poverty and must be addressed immediately,” he added.
He stressed the need to be ‘colour blind’ in combating poverty to ensure help reaches all regardless of race.
The deputy prime minister emphasised the role of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in tackling unemployment.
He said TVET provides solutions for joblessness and educational dropout rates among Indian youth.
Ahmad Zahid reassured that opportunities for TVET programmes, including training abroad, would continue to be available.
He committed to ensuring strict monitoring of the blueprint’s implementation so no community is left behind.
Earlier, Makkal Sakti president Datuk Seri RS Thanenthiran urged the government to reconsider fully implementing the blueprint.
The plan was first launched by former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in 2017 but has yet to be realised.
