KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Najib Razak today sang high praises of the Malaysian Indian community for their role in building the country.
Najib, in his speech this evening, said Malaysian Indians have always been at the forefront of governance, civil service, business, entertainment, education and food.
“They are a crucial part of our unique diversity. Their cultures and faiths help make up the rich and varied tapestry of our nation — many races and religions but one Malaysia.
“Recognising their contribution, we launched the Malaysian Indian Blueprint earlier this year.
“I am confident that this 10-year plan will play a key role in empowering all sections of the Indian community in Malaysia.
“I can truly say that without Malaysian Indians, Malaysia simply would not be what it is today.
“They constitute a very special reason why it is so natural for Malaysia and India to forge ever closer and friendlier relations,” he said in his speech at The Economic Times’ Asian Business Leaders Conclave gala dinner here tonight.
Present were International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed, Indian High Commissioner to Malaysia Shri TS Tirumurti and Times of India Group president Deepak Lamba.
Najib also spoke of the common ground shared by Malaysia and India, citing their firmness on the need to maintain regional security and to fight the scourges of terrorism and extremism.
He said Malaysia and India have also shown their commitment to regional and multilateral forums, by being members of the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Commonwealth, the Group of 15 and the Group of 77 plus China, the Indian Ocean Rim Association and the East Asia Summit.
Najib also spoke on the shared belief by Malaysia and India in “confronting the tough decisions — such as implementing GST (goods and services tax)”.
“India and Malaysia have joined more than 160 countries around the world that are implementing this effective, efficient, transparent and business-friendly tax.
“We have seen its benefits — for it has provided us with the resilience necessary to cope with the steep fall in the price of oil and the subsequent drop in revenue that we received,” he said.
The cementing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Najib said, will see both countries being part of an area that contains nearly 50% of the world’s population and accounts for nearly 40% of global trade.
“So both our countries are not just prepared but also determined to take Asia to the globe,” he added.
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