Ahmad Zahid Wants BN Indian-based Parties To Champion Cause Of Youth Via TVET

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27 (Bernama) -- Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi wants Indian-based political parties allied with BN to continue championing the cause of the community's youth through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

The Deputy Prime Minister, who is also the chairman of the National TVET Council, said emphasising this field is crucial for creating job opportunities that better secure the future of the Indian community's younger generation in the country.

“Our children look to us to champion their cause. I want the Indian parties in this country that are aligned with BN to fight for this, to champion TVET so that the Indian community's youth can enter TVET programmes,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid said this while addressing the 18th General Assembly of Makkal Sakti Party Malaysia at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur here today.

Also present were Makkal Sakti president Datuk Seri R.S. Thannenthiran, Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress (KIMMA) president Datuk Seri Syed Ibrahim Kader, MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan, and MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Mah Hang Soon, as well as representatives from BN component parties and "Friends of BN."

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said the education and skills training agenda should not be limited to any single race but should instead be utilised fairly and equitably by all Malaysians.

To this end, he noted that the government has sent 1,000 TVET students from the Indian community to pursue studies in China for free, a result of the cooperation and continuous emphasis placed on this sector.

“I am colour-blind [to race]. I believe that TVET is not just for the Malays; I emphasise that it is also for the Chinese, Indians, Ibans, Kadazans, and people of all races and ethnic groups in this country.

“TVET paves the way for young people who previously struggled to find employment. Now, even before completing their studies, they receive job offers with starting salaries exceeding RM3,000 in certain fields,” he said.

Meanwhile, he encouraged Indian micro-entrepreneurs to take advantage of various government initiatives, including business loans through Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), which the Cabinet has now approved to be open to all races.

-- BERNAMA