The current prime minister in his recent statement has admitted that Malaysian Indians have contributed immensely to the development of the country. He also admitted that special attention needs to be given to the Malaysian Indians to bring them in line with the mainstream development of the nation.

In the 2009 Budget, the then Prime Minister Datuk Ahmad Badawi initiated an action plan focusing on first ensuring the wellbeing of Malaysians, development of quality human capital and strengthening the nation's resilience.

However Badawi's plan was only lip service to appease the nation without any real action to enhance the nation. There has been continued suppression on Article 5, 8, 10 & 13 of the constitution against the public, particularly against the Malaysian Indians.

The current prime minister, Najib Abdul Razak, has taken several approaches to appease the Malaysian Indians yet this all could be another political charade to hoodwink the nation on their effort to uplift the Malaysian Indians.

If Najib is genuinely concerned about addressing the grievances of the Malaysian Indians, then he should announce measures taken to uplift the Malaysian Indian from the systematic marginalisation and discrimination that they have faced over the last 52 years.

The failure by the Prime Minister to highlight this issue will only lend credence to the typical hypocrisy that have been practiced by the UMNO-led government for the last 52 years.

P Waythamoorthy is chairman of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf)