The Penang Hindu Association (PHA) has assured to work with the state government to ensure the Indians are taken care of.
PHA gave the assurance to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow when delegates from the association met him during a courtesy visit recently.
During the meeting PHA president P. Murugiah raised numerous problems faced by the Indian community in the state Murugiah said among the issues raised during meeting were the need to set up a home for the senior citizens that also caters the Indians, employing Tamil speaking officers at service centers of the elected representatives to facilitate Tamil speaking community.
The state was also asked to seriously look into the setting up of the Tamil secondary school in Penang as the state had earlier promised.
“We also request that Indian officers being at the state agencies related to heritage and tourism organisation.” said Murugiah.
“Apart from that, being a body that serves the community in fulfilling their many needs such as in finance, medical and education, we need some financial assistance from the state government.”
Murugiah said PHA had conducted to burials of more than 500 unclaimed bodies over the last 30 over years.
“Majority of the unclaimed bodies were from Penang General Hospital, old folks home and orphanages in the state.The unclaimed bodies included foreigners,” Murugiah said. PHA deputy president Dr. S. Balasubramaniam said the organisation was seeking support from the state government to carry out educational camps in schools catering to Indian students with disciplinary problems.
“A total of 21 schools have requested us to carry out with our programmes to help these students,” said Dr Balasubramaniam, who is also the education bureau head of PHA.
Responding to the request on setting up an old folks home for Indians, Chow said the matter could be discussed. “Being an organisation (NGO) that has been involved in so many good works for the benefits of the community, we will also consider the appeal for grant.”
“I think Penang is blessed to have many NGOs working in different areas with different missions and objectives to serve the community.” Chow said
Chow pledged to look that into all the issues raised in relation to the Indian community. “I think Penang is blessed to have many NGOs working in different areas with different missions and objectives to serve the community.” Chow said. Chow pledged to look that into all the issues raised in relation to the Indian community.
Source: World Hindu News