Pak Lah: Malaysian Indians will not be left behind

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Malaysian Indians will not be left behind: Badawi

Malaysia's ethnic Indian community will not be left behind in the national agenda and everything will be done to 'improve the situation from now on', says Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

From correspondents in Federal Territory, Malaysia, 1 Feb 2008 11:30 AM - (www.indiaenews.com)

Malaysia's ethnic Indian community will not be left behind in the national agenda and everything will be done to 'improve the situation from now on', says Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

His reassurance to the two million plus community came Thursday amid speculation over early general elections that he fuelled himself, making a pithy statement with smile: 'I am about to.'

He left it at that, media reports said Friday.

Addressing the Malaysian Associated Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Maicci) gala dinner here, the prime minister said: 'I have listened to the problems addressed by every sector of the Indian community, including your group tonight, and I will do everything to improve the situation from now on.'

The Star quoted him as saying that the government was considering 'visa on arrival' for tourists and visitors from 'some countries' to boost business and tourism. He did not elaborate.

Both Malaysia and India have contributed to each other's tourism boom in the recent years. Tourism Malaysia is planning to employ more ethnic Indians to attract Indian tourists.

Badawi said the government was committed to developing the luxury tourism segment, which included upmarket hotels, resorts, high-end shopping, dining and entertainment outlets.

The government, he said, was aware that to develop Kuala Lumpur as an international shopping centre it was imperative that proper procedures, incentives and promotional activities be made available to accelerate the process.

Badawi said Malaysia's business-friendly climate, political stability and low cost of living had attracted many foreign investors and expatriates, with 'some wanting to stay here permanently'.

He said there were also foreign executives who wanted to take up permanent residence in Malaysia.

(© IANS)