01/08/2011 (Bernama) - MIC today proposed that the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) set up a high-powered committee to work on short and long term plans for the Indian community.

MIC president Datuk G. Palanivel said the committee should be headed by planners, thinkers, policy makers and other experts.

"The committee must have MIC leaders as members. The programmes implemented by this committee must touch the hearts and minds of the Indian community," he said in his policy speech at the 65th MIC Annual General Meeting at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here, today.

The meeting was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Also present was former MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.

Palanivel said the plans and programmes introduced by the government were good but at times they did not reach the much needed and targeted group.

"When such plans do not reach the intended people, they feel left out and deprived," he said.

Palanivel also said that the MIC was setting up a Special Purpose Vehicle which would leapfrog the economic development of the Indian community.

In implementing it, MIC requested several funding such as an allocation of 50,000 acres of land to cultivate oil palm and other crops and a RM60 million palm oil processing mill.

The MIC had also requested for an additional annual allocation of 1,000 places for Indian students in matriculation courses, he said.

"We need government funding for this and the private sector is willing to provide the places," he said, adding that a massive funding was also needed for the construction and renovation of Tamil schools throughout the country.

Palanivel said that the Malaysian Indians must be brought to the mainstream of development, adding that as a minority, doing this would not harm anybody.

"Plans to mainstream the Indian community will only create more support to the government. We must be a part of the main economic agenda. Prime Minister sir, please ensure there is no social vacuum," he said.

He also promised that the Indian community would give their full support to the Barisan Nasional if their requirements were fulfilled.

"The Indian community is waiting for good moves, good announcements and good plans," he said.