Malaysian island state says it is meeting Malay Indian, Tamil population needs

The Malaysian island state of Johor Baru has claimed that the needs of the minority Indian community are being met without discrimination.

Kuala Lumpur, Dec.21 : The Malaysian island state of Johor Baru has claimed that the needs of the minority Indian community are being met without discrimination.

Johor Malay Indian Congress Liaison Committee Chairman Datuk K. S. Balakrishnan said the state had granted RM nine million over the past several years for the development and modernisation of Tamil schools.

About RM two million was allocated last year to build new Tamil schools, renovate classrooms and buy equipment, The Star quoted Balakrishnan, as saying further.

Balakrishnan, who is Unity Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman, said the state government had so far provided 12 new sites for the relocation of Tamil schools.

Johor had 70 Tamil schools and all of them received aid from the government, he said, adding that these schools also received tuition aid from the Johor Education Foundation.

Balakrishnan said the aid provided by the state government proved untrue the allegations of marginalisation of Indians by the Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF).

He also said that the state government had so far provided 19 alternative sites for Hindu temples that had to make way for development.

He said the state government had recently allocated RM500, 000 for the construction of a Hindu crematorium at Kebun Teh here.

ANI