THE Penang Hindu Association (PHA) desires to work closely with the state government to ensure the well-being of the Indian community in the state is well taken care of.
Delegates from the association, led by its president P. Murugiah, shared the problems faced by the Indian community with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow during a courtesy call today.
Among the issues raised were the need to set up a home for the senior citizens (catering to Indian community), placing Tamil speaking personnel at service centres (assemblymen/parliamentarians) to facilitate Tamil speaking families as well as coming up with the Tamil secondary school in Penang.
“We also would like to request that Indian officers be placed at the heritage and tourism-related organisations,” 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.”
According to Murugiah, PHA had helped to cremate some 500 over unclaimed bodies for the past 30 over years.
“Some of the unclaimed bodies were from Penang General Hospital, old folks home and orphanages. The unclaimed bodies included foreigners,” he said.
Dr S. Balasubramaniam, the deputy president of PHA, said the organisation was seeking support from the state government to carry out educational camps in schools catering to Indian students with disciplinary problems.
“Up to now 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,” Chow added.
“I think Penang is blessed to have many NGOs working in different areas with different missions and objectives to serve the community.”
Chow said that he would take into consideration all the issues raised in relation to the Indian community.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Alvie Cheng