Keep faith in govt, Najib tells Indians

(New Straits Times) – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday called on the Indian community, including Tamil school headmasters and teachers who played a major role in community development, to cooperate with the government in the spirit of “nambikai” (faith).

“With nambikai between us, there is nothing we cannot do together,” Najib said, addressing the Malaysian Tamil school community,
including headmasters, during a gathering at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil Kinrara in Puchong near here.

The prime minister also drew a loud applause when he announced the cabinet’s decision to approve six licences for the construction
of Tamil schools in areas with a demand for them.

The new schools, he said, would be built in Bandar Mahkota Cheras in Kajang, Taman PJS1 in Petaling Jaya, Taman Keladi in Sungai Petani, Heawood Estate in Sungai Siput, Taman Sentosa in Klang and Bandar Seri Alam in Masai.

“We have also decided to relocate 15 under-enrolled Tamil schools to areas where is there is a greater demand for the schools.

“The government is keen on working with Tamil schools, parent-teacher associations, non-governmental organisations and community leaders for the future of Tamil schools and the community on the whole. In this respect, I propose that a special conference be held for Tamil school teachers, PTAs and NGOs to thrash out outstanding issues on Tamil schools and students, including the relevance of remove classes, the shortage of graduate teachers and other schooling necessities.

The findings of the conference can be used to draw up a blueprint which would help the Education Ministry to further develop Tamil schools in the country.”

 Najib said all this was necessary in line with the government’s acceptance of Tamil schools as an integral part of the country’s national education system.