KUCHING: Issues facing the Indian community in Sarawak will be given due attention, said Senator Saraswathy Kandasami.
She said, among others, she had learnt of matters concerning education and residency status from Indian association leaders during her official work visit here on Saturday (Mar 25).
“As far as the Indian community in Sarawak is concerned, I met all the Indian association leaders here yesterday (Mar 25), and from what I have gathered they feel that their voices are not being heard by the federal government,” said Saraswathy who is Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives.
“Among the matters raised is that the Indian community here feel they are not getting enough federal scholarship as well as placement in universities.
“And some said those (from outside the state) who have served in the armed forces and married locals here have requested for their permanent residence applications to be expedited.
“So, I will carry their requests, expectations and aspirations to the federal government and respective agencies or ministries to look into these issues urgently,” she said.
She was speaking to reporters after attending the Cooperative Programme with the Indian Community at Indian Association Kuching (IAK) Hall here today (Mar 26).
Commenting further on the issue of scholarships and placement in universities, she said she would discuss this with the respective agency who can help the students especially the B40 and M40 students.
“Even those classified as M40, some of them may have big families or may be single mothers, and have financial difficulties.
“In Semenanjung, these groups have access to other facilities and initiatives,” she said.
She added it was also the first time she had heard about issues affecting the Indian community in Sarawak.
“These are the issues that I’m hearing about for the first time, so I will take them to the federal government as well as the respective agencies,” she said.
