PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar has clarified that her apparent silence on issues affecting the Indian community in Malaysia should not be mistaken for inaction. Speaking through a statement read by former Klang MP Charles Santiago, she revealed that her efforts over the past year have been directed behind the scenes, prioritising long-term solutions over public recognition.
Nurul Izzah explained that she deliberately chose a quieter approach, believing that real change comes from sustained planning and not public displays. She shared that her focus has been on coordinating a series of expert-led roundtables aimed at addressing longstanding concerns within the Indian community, especially those in the B40 income group.
These discussions, she said, have involved economists, civil servants, NGOs, and grassroots leaders, all contributing ideas to tackle issues such as poverty, school dropout rates, statelessness, and underemployment. The outcome of these efforts includes the proposed Indian Community Development Framework, which was developed in collaboration with Yayasan Iltizam Malaysia and supported by over 200 civil society organisations.
Among the proposals outlined in the framework are a national policy on preschool education, the establishment of vocational and technical training hubs, dedicated entrepreneurship incubators for women and youth, and the creation of a statutory agency to manage aid delivery transparently.
Santiago added that the upcoming 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) presents a crucial opportunity for systemic reforms to address the marginalisation that the Indian community has faced for decades. He described the community's experience as one of structural neglect, where meaningful affirmative action has long been absent.
The government’s decision to revise the 13MP follows the resignation of former economy minister Rafizi Ramli. Finance Minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan is now tasked with leading the portfolio and overseeing the revamp, which the government stated was prompted by Cabinet feedback.
Nurul Izzah’s remarks come amid growing public interest in the federal government's strategies to uplift marginalised communities. Her clarification seeks to reassure stakeholders that while public statements may have been few, efforts to develop meaningful and inclusive policies have been ongoing.
She called on all stakeholders to measure impact not by visibility, but by the lasting change brought to communities that need it most.
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