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Ethnic Indians won't be left behind: Badawi
Kuala Lumpur (PTI): Amidst reports that he may call early elections, Malaysian Premier Abdullah Badawi has assured the ethnic Indians, who have been complaining of racial inequality, that they would not be left behind in the national development agenda.
"I have listened to the problems addressed by the every sector of the Indian community... and I will do everything to improve the situation from now on," he was quoted by the 'Star' daily as addressing the Malaysian Associated Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Thursday night.
He said the community, which forms 8 per cent of the 27 million population of Muslim-majority Malaysia, would not be left behind in the national development agenda.
His comments came amid reports that he may call snap elections and also in the backdrop of protests by ethnic Indians, mostly Hindus with origin from Tamil Nadu, against their alleged marginalisation.
Non-governmental Hindu Rights Action Forum (Hindraf) had been spearheading the protests and five of his leaders have been detained indefinitely under the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA).
In his speech earlier, Abdullah said his government was committed to developing the luxury tourism segment, which included upmarket hotels, resorts, high-end shopping, dining and entertainment outlets, according to the daily.
Some proposals included allowing tourists from certain countries visas upon arrival, and waiving high duties and taxes on branded goods to encourage retail participation in the luxury segment, he was quoted as saying
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