IPF can help BN to big win in GE14 - PM Najib

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is confident that the Indian Progressive Front (IPF) can play an important role in helping the Barisan Nasional (BN) to a big win in the 14th General Election (GE14).

Najib, who is also the BN chairman, said although the IPF is not a BN component, the party which represents the low income Indian community has shown its commitment to champion the government's agenda in its 27 years of existence.

"The IPF can still champion the Indian community although it is not a BN component. I appreciate the IPF support and loyalty and believe the party can help BN to big win," he said when closing the 25th IPF General Assembly at Malaysia Agriculture Expo Site (MAEPS), here today.

Also present at the event were IPF president Senator Datuk M. Sambanthan and BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

Najib said the government's assistance to the Indian community was based on 'nambikei' or trust and that all Malaysians should be treated fairly.

"The government has allocated RM900 milllion for National Type Tamil Schools (SJKT), RM1.2 billion for micro credit facilities to the Indians and 700 more places for Indian students in public universities.

"The Indian students would vhave suffered if the meritocracy system for university intake was not relaxed,. They would remain at three orf four per cent, and not at seven per cent."

The prime minister said the government was committed to help the Indian community and that it was not 'vetti pechu' or empty talk but 'nijam' or the truth.

Najib said the IPF could give input to the Indian Community Action Plan and would ensure that the BN component party in question give them due recognition.

"I may not be able to meet all the requests of the IPF but I will try to convince the other party to work with the IPF when it comes to development of the Indian community."

-- BERNAMA