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A COALITION of 19 Malaysian Indian NGOs has called on BERSAMA to put the community’s socio-economic development firmly on its political agenda, saying the issues facing Indians require a longer-term response.
Gelombang Saksama made the call during its first meeting with BERSAMA leaders Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, where the group raised concerns over the community’s position in Malaysia’s political and economic landscape.
Gelombang Saksama representative Charles Santiago said Indians, who make up about 6.5% of the population, remained an important part of the country but should not assume their political influence would remain unchanged.
“At 6.5% of Malaysia’s population, Indians remain an important constituency, but our political leverage cannot be taken for granted,” Santiago said.
He stated that issues including poverty, discrimination, school dropouts, weak population growth and widening socio-economic gaps had reached a point where piecemeal measures were no longer enough.
Santiago added that BERSAMA, as a new political force, should look beyond election cycles and make the Indian agenda part of a wider programme for socio-economic development.
Among the proposals put forward was the creation of a statutory body dedicated to Indian affairs, with the independence and resources to coordinate long-term development efforts.
The group said the body should bring government agencies, businesses, civil society and community organisations under one framework instead of having programmes scattered across different institutions.
Another proposal was the creation of a dedicated funding vehicle that could pool government resources with contributions and investments from Indian individuals, businesses and corporations.
The fund would be aimed at supporting areas such as education, entrepreneurship, economic opportunities and community development.
Gelombang Saksama also called for the Cabinet Committee on Indian Affairs to be reinstated, saying a high-level mechanism was needed to ensure better coordination between ministries and government agencies.
Santiago said the meeting with BERSAMA was intended to open a wider discussion rather than seek immediate political commitments.
“We want to see a serious, long-term conversation on how the Indian community can become economically stronger, politically empowered and equal participants in the country’s future,” he explained.
The coalition said it welcomed the engagement with BERSAMA and hoped the proposals would be considered as part of the movement’s broader national agenda. – August 21, 2026
