ADUN SPEAKS | It is ridiculous on the part of the Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to claim, as he did at MIC's annual general meeting yesterday, that he is the father of the development of the Indian community.

He also took credit for appointing an Indian for the post of director-general of the Customs Department, despite strong objections from some sections of the Malay community.

Is Najib truly concerned about the Indian community? Or does he merely want to endear himself to the community to ensure that they would make a difference in the coming general election in favour of the ruling regime?

Najib is well aware that the Indian community, despite its sacrifices, is one of the poorest sections of the Malaysian community.

The vast majority of Indians face problems of unemployment, obtaining business licences, and entering tertiary institutions, not to speak of the religious and cultural squeeze they experience as result of the hegemonic role of Islam.

Najib cannot even settle the matter of unilateral conversion of non-Muslims, much to the anger and frustration of non-Malays, especially Indians.

He says that BN lack the two-thirds majority to amend the Federal Constitution, but at the same time gives a different message to Muslims, saying that he will not give in to the demands of non-Muslims without the support of PAS and Muslim organisations.

It is this cheap double-talk that has created serious doubts about the true intentions of Najib among non-Malays. Yes, he might have given more money to Indians in comparison to earlier prime ministers, but then nobody really knows whether the money has filtered down to the benefit of needy Indians.

Indians in the country demand to be respected as citizens and not discriminated along the line of race or religion. Financial assistance is important, but then if they don't have the rights, such assistance might make little difference to their existence.

Indians, like other discriminated groups, require a political climate that in the long run would be conducive to the removal of many obstacles that stand in the way of they becoming full-fledged citizens, where racial and religious bigotry would be dismantled.

Is Najib, despite all his cheap talk, prepared to consider these fundamental structural problems that stand in the way of Indian development? Is Najib prepared to respect Indians, not as "Indians," but as Malaysian citizens who are entitled to equal and unalienable rights as citizens of the country?...