KUALA LUMPUR: The Indian community should continue to support the Barisan Nasional (BN) “as it has been proven that the coalition is capable of championing the cause of the people,” said Kota Tinggi Barisan Nasional (BN) division chairman Syed Hamid Albar. He said there was no reason for them to vote for the opposition who only aspired to capture Putrajaya. He said the government had provided various needs of the Indian community including in terms of education, the economy and raising the living standard of the community. “What is needed is that all of us work hard so that no one is left behind and deprived of development and has to face hardship and poverty,” he said at a handing over of contributions in conjunction with the Deepavali celebrations, at the office of the Kota Tinggi MIC division. At the function, Syed Hamid handed over contributions in the form of food and RM100 in cash to 80 recipients. In October, leaders also pushed the community to support the government in elections to be held before April next year. A number of reports suggested that the minority community was galvanizing behind the BN. MIC President G Palanivel said the Indian community's support of the government was “increasing significantly as a result of the transformation programs implemented by Prime Minister Najib Razak." Indians were being provided with more business and educational opportunities, he added. “Therefore, the Indian community is urged to continue supporting the Barisan Nasional government as it has proven that it cares for all Malaysians, regardless of race," he said. He was speaking at a Family Day organized by the Temerloh MIC Youth and Women movements, which was also attended by Temerloh member of parliament and Higher Education deputy minister, Saifuddin Abdullah. The Indian vote is being seen as vital in the upcoming election and local analysts have told Bikyamasr.com that the community remains split on who to vote for. The opposition is trying to oust the ruling government for the first time since Malaysia became independent of Britain.
